Client: Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads State: QLD The private property towing reforms were introduced on 16 April 2018 to improve the accountability of the towing industry and to provide protection to Queensland motorists. The Queensland Government engaged with key stakeholders and communities via the Your say on Queensland’s Tow Truck Scheme discussion paper and online survey was published on the Get Involved website. AEC reported on the results obtained from the website with analysis undertaken using SPSS and Q Professional.

Client: Central Coast Council State: NSW AEC was engaged by Central Coast Regional Council to develop a 20 year Economic Development Strategy with a focussed 5 year implementation plan. Background research conducted included a literature review, baseline economic research as well as a competitive assessment and opportunity analysis. As part of the stakeholder engagement for the development of the strategy, an online survey was conducted internally for Council and residents of Central Coast as well as conducting workshops and individual interviews. The Economic Development Strategy provided Council with strategic themes to deliver upon with an implementation plan to ensure the success of the document as well as a graphic designed public facing document.

Client: James Cook University State: QLD James Cook University engaged AEC to develop an economic analysis (Input-Output and Cost Benefit Assessment) of a proposed accommodation development. The report identifies the potential impacts that the development would bring to the Townsville community. The findings from the report were used to support a NAIF application.

Client: Aqwest State: WA Aqwest (Bunbury Water Corporation) commissions AEC for an annual customer survey (since 2014) to assess the satisfaction with services it provides and to produce key performance indicators for Aqwest’s annual reporting processes. The primary objective of the Customer Survey is to establish customer and community satisfaction with a range of Aqwest water services and establish reason for any low satisfaction areas. Customers are engaged via CATI and online survey and reporting is inclusive of trend analysis over time.

Client: Property Council Australia State: VIC This report was commissioned by the Victorian division of the Property Council of Australia to examine the contribution of foreign investors purchasing residential and non-residential property on the Victorian economy, and the impact the introduction of surcharges on foreign investors has had on this contribution. The assessment reviewed historic levels of foreign investment as a share of total investment in residential and non-residential property and compared this to previous AEC modelling on the economic contribution of property to the Victorian economy to estimate the level of economic activity supported by foreign investment in 2015-16. Implications of the surcharge were estimated based on the observed reduction in foreign investor levels between 2015-16 and 2016-17 in Victoria (and other states) from the introduction of a surcharge. The outcomes of this research were used by Property Council of Australia to inform discussions regarding the surcharge.

Client: Livingstone Shire Council State: QLD AEC was engaged by Livingstone Shire Council for collaboration with the Economy and Places Team to deliver a suite of prospectus comprising two core components. The first component represented a summary document that provides information and detail on core regional attributes (including livability, diversity, major centres, growing economy, high value industries, game changing investments, major projects, etc.). The second represented individual fact sheets (incorporated into the main summary), that provides focus on the identified opportunities (including agriculture, childcare, tourism, construction, defence, mining support services, aged care and retirement living, and food product manufacturing and value-added opportunities). AEC conducted a literature review and drew from the vast material and content available on the region to form the Prospectus. Outcomes of the project will be used to showcase attractiveness and key investment opportunities for the region.

Client: Property Council of Australia (QLD) State: QLD In its 2019-20 Budget the Queensland Government introduced a range of amendments to the land tax regime, including the introduction of a foreign investor land tax surcharge of 2.0%. The introduction of the 2.0% foreign investor surcharge effectively doubles the land tax payable by a foreign property investor. AEC undertook a review and assessment of the economic ramifications of the foreign investor surcharge to provide evidence and context to justify a potential exemption framework from the foreign investor land tax surcharge. The assessment examined a range of potential asset classes to understand the potential increase in costs for foreign investors over an asset life cycle, implications on the feasibility for development of new build and investment in existing assets for foreign investors (and likely ramifications in terms of reduction in investment), and the overall impacts to the broader Queensland economy resulting from this reduction in investment. A potential framework for exemption from the surcharge was then proposed to minimise adverse impacts on the Queensland economy.

Client: Lendlease State: QLD AEC was engaged by Lendlease to develop a review of the economic and social indicators in Townsville and their impact on future growth conditions. The report anlaysed key strategic insights, market developments and investment, and market trend analysis (economic and property).

Client: Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation (APEC) The Cruise ship sector is considered one of the most rapid growing segments in the tourism industry. Given the rise of the cruise industry activity in the APEC region, data to analyse the economics of cruise tourism is vital, especially data that focuses on communities as the recipients of economic benefits. The project will provide a study on cruise tourism’s effect on local communities, more specifically, MSMEs in local communities in APEC economies and how the income generated from the cruise sector leads to better standards of living for local people. Project outcomes and recommendations will be used to support further strategic sustainable development of cruise tourism and to identify opportunities to increase positive impacts and safeguard the livelihoods of local economies. Whilst the project is working closely with just five economies, the findings and recommendations will have benefits for all 21 APEC members. The workshop in Singapore was attended by representatives from Australia, Chile, Chinese Taipei, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam as well as a number of expert speakers including: Cruise Line International Association, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Cruise Broome and Genting Cruise Lines. For further information regarding developing the cruise sector please contact simon.smith@aecgroupltd.com

Client: NWQROC State: QLD Report: https://www.nwqroc.com.au/assets/Documents/Publications/c89c0dcd86/NWQROC-Regional-Profile-2018.pdf This project involved the development of a regional profile for the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC), focussing on key demographic and economic characteristics, critical focus areas to facilitate economic diversification and sustainable growth outcomes, and the contribution of Councils in the region to infrastructure and service provision. A detailed report was produced, along with a professionally designed 4-page infographic summary.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates output from advanced economies in 2016 will be slower than previously forecast. In the October edition of the World Economic Outlook, the IMF shaved its advanced economies’ growth estimate from 1.8% to 1.6%. This revision was driven by slower than anticipated growth in the US (1.6% compared to 2.2% in the July edition) and Canada (1.2% compared to 1.4%), despite improved growth estimates for the Euro area (up from 1.6% to 1.7%), Japan (up from 0.3% to 0.5%) and the UK (up from 1.7% to 1.8%). The outlook for 2017 is marginally firmer than 2016, with global growth estimated at 3.4% in 2017 compared to 3.1% in 2016. As is the expectation for 2016, global growth is anticipated to be driven by emerging and developing economies, while advanced economies’ growth remains subdued (at 1.8%). The IMF warned persistent stagflation (high unemployment, high inflation and low economic growth conditions) could result in increased protectionist sentiment, which would be detrimental to economic growth, productivity and innovation. The IMF called for monetary policy conditions to remain loose and for governments to invest further in education, technology and infrastructure in order to support growth. The outlook for Australia’s most prominent export destinations is mostly firmer, with increased growth expectations for Japan, emerging and developing Asia and India as well as unchanged expectations for China in 2016. Similar outcomes are anticipated for 2017. The IMF estimates Australia will post real economic growth of 2.9% in 2016 and 2.7% in 2017 (compared to 2.4% in 2015).

Prior to Government approving major resource-related development projects, regulatory bodies must be satisfied the potential impacts caused by the project are appropriately assessed and appropriate mitigation measures are in place in order to minimise these impacts and to leverage beneficial outcomes. Many large proposed resource development projects are required to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) before an environmental authority can be issued. Economic Analysis is a fundamental component of an EIS and AEC has a strong track record and history of providing economic analysis to support EIS processes. We assist our clients in understanding the potential economic impacts their proposed resource developments will have on a regional, state and national economy level, while ensuring the analysis meets government requirements. AEC provides our clients with: Expert understanding of the Australian resources sector AEC’s inhouse economic modelling capabilities Vast experience in applying the latest EIS guidelines for economic assessment. EIS requirements can vary from state-to-state, but typically include some combination of cost benefit analysis (CBA), local/ regional impact analysis (including modelling using techniques such as Input-Output (I-O) or Computable General Equilibrium (CGE)), and development of mitigation strategies to minimise impacts. Our tailored and flexible approach provides a reliable and robust economic analysis to support the decision-making process that provides detailed analysis around the benefits and impacts on the regional, state and national economy. A list of some of the clients for which AEC has provided economic analysis to support an EIS for a resource project are outlined below. https://www.shell.com.au/ https://www.stanwell.com/ https://www.arrowenergy.com.au/ https://stanmorecoal.com.au/ https://evolutionmining.com.au/ https://www.rml.com.au/ https://www.baralabacoal.com.au/ https://www.sojitz.com/ https://www.waratahcoal.com/ https://www.aquilaresources.com.au/ https://www.mcres.com.au/