Client: Port Stephens Council State: NSW AEC updated the Council's developer contributions model with a revised work schedule and prepared an updated Developer Contributions Plan. AEC also critically reviewed and assessed the validity of a developer submission for reduced contributions for heavy haulage from an existing quarry site. The review found that the developer had not provided sufficient evidence to warrant a reduction in contribution rates.

Client: Southern Downs Regional Council State: QLD Southern Downs Regional Council engaged AEC to deliver a Triple Bottom Line impact assessment of the current Invasive Pest Control Scheme in the Southern Downs region. Key aspects of the assessment included: An overview of the Southern Downs agricultural industry. Qualitative and quantitative impacts (economic, environmental and social) of the top five most prevalent invasive pests. A review of the invasive Pest Control Scheme including the scheme's financial performance over the years of operation. Engagement with landholders, Local Government Association Queensland, Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs QLD and the Queensland Treasury Corporation to consider their views of success of the Invasive Pest Control Scheme, tripple bottom line benefits and potential areas for improvement. Future projections of impacted land in the Southern Downs over a low, medium and high scenario with and without the IPCS. A cost-benefit assessment of the Invasive Pest Control Scheme, with a qualitative write up of costs and benefits not included. Identified opportunities for the potential improvement of the scheme.

Client: Tourism Accommodation Australia State: NSW Since 2011, AEC has delivered monthly reports for TAA to provide an overarching picture of what is happening in the Sydney City and Greater Sydney hotel markets. This report presents key performance indicators for the industry (ADR, RevPAR and occupancy rates) as well as insight into drivers behind hotel performance, including analysis of the corporate/ conferencing and leisure markets, and events which may impact hotel outcomes. This report also provides a short-term outlook over the next three months of key performance indicators. AEC also supports TAA with a similar report for regional NSW on a quarterly basis.

Client: Cairns Regional Council State: QLD Cairns Regional Council (Council) proposed to upgrade the Fearnley Street Boat Ramp Car Park at a cost of $1.27 million, to increase car park capacity and thereby realise the facility's full potential and reduce congestion on nearby roads with informal parking. CRC sought grant funding from the Queensland Government under the Building Our Regions Fund Round 5. AEC were engaged to undertake economic analysis to support CRC's funding submission. Specifically, AEC undertook a demand profile based on previous research and projections for boat ramp facility demand and supply in Queensland; an assessment of the economic impacts of the Facility to the Cairns economy through construction and operations activity using Input-Output modelling and a cost benefit analysis (CBA) for the proposed Facility, suitable the BOR5 grant application. The CBA was undertaken in line with Queensland and Australian guidelines for project appraisal and provided an estimate of the net present value (NPV) and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) for the project.

Client: Somerset Regional Council State: QLD Somerset Regional Council (SRC) proposed to undertake several upgrades across four sporting facilities in the region, primarily to upgrade lighting and amenities at the fields. AEC provided a high-level overview of the economic benefits of the proposed upgrades to the sports facilities. The assessment included an overview of the need for the project and the socio-economic benefits the project will deliver in the region. The analysis was designed to support an application to the Australian Government for the project, specifically supporting the response to the required merit criteria. Input-Output modelling was used to assess the direct and flow-on contribution to business and employment from construction and post-construction activity (primarily related to attraction and retention of expenditure on sports in the region), supported by other analysis regarding potential health, productivity and travel cost benefits for sports participants.

Understanding the future scale and demographic composition of the local population is an important component of strategic planning. It is essential infrastructure planning and services provision proactively accommodates the population potential to facilitate and support anticipated growth. Cairns local government area has experienced volatile population growth in recent years due to the strong relationship between economic outcomes and net migration outcomes. In 2008, Cairns was one of the strongest growing local government areas in Queensland (in terms of population growth). However, population growth slowed considerably following the onset of the Global Financial Crisis, as construction and tourism activity in the region softened significantly. State government estimates for Cairns local government area suggest a lower rate of growth in the local population between 2016 and 2041 than had been recorded in the 2006 to 2017 period. AEC was engaged by Cairns Regional Council to develop a detailed set of population projections to sense check these projections. Population projections were developed by age and sex for the five yearly periods between 2016 and 2041. These projections considered future trends in local fertility and mortality rates as well as Carin’s potential future net migration profile. AEC also analysed the potential population impacts associated with planned construction activity for the region in the short to medium term. The resulting projections were in line with those developed by the Queensland Statisticians Office, suggesting the population could increase at an average annual rate of 1.6% between 2016 and 2041.

Client: Legatus Group State: SA The Legatus Group, in partnership with other regional local government associations in SA, commissioned AEC to analyse and model the impact and potential opportunity cost to employment and regional growth from the inability for SA Councils to effectively rate electricity generation and storage developments. The findings of the report provide government with an informed basis upon which to decide on the appropriateness or otherwise from implementing the recommendations to adopt a more equitable rating structure for SA Councils and communities without impeding investment and employment outcomes.

The Australasia cruise tourism sector continues to grow and as cruise ships get larger so does the demand for dedicated port infrastructure for handling them increase. The largest cruise ship currently operating in Australia and New Zealand is Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas. At 348m in length and carrying 4,900 passengers and 1,500 crew, Ovation presents a berthing and logistical challenge for many ports. Indeed, New Zealand’s marque port Auckland can not berth Ovation at its cruise ship terminal on Queens Wharf right in the city centre. The current solution is for Ovation to hold position using dynamic positioning in Auckland’s Harbour whilst passengers are tendered ashore using the ship’s lifeboats. This approach, which can only be permitted in winds of less than 25kts, takes up to three hours for passengers to disembark and thereby vastly reduces the time passengers spend ashore and therefore the potential economic impact. Whilst the Port of Auckland has a long-term plan to extend Captain Cook Wharf (currently a car unloading facility) to become a new cruise terminal this planning is ten to fifteen years into the future. In the interim, it has been proposed to install two mooring dolphins at the end of Queens Wharf along with strengthening the mooring bollards to enable cruise ships the size of Ovation to berth. Berthing of such a ship will increase its economic impact by 6-7 times and also permit turnarounds. Without such infrastructure future visits by ships, the size of Ovation is put at risk as well as the likelihood that these ships will continue on a New Zealand itinerary visiting 5-6 more regional New Zealand ports. The resource consent application (development application) to construct the dolphins has been the subject of much opposition by elements of the Auckland Economy. A resource consent approval process presided over by three independent commissioners has been established to decide if the development should go ahead. A decision on the outcome of the resource consent application is due in March/April. AEC has been working with the Australian cruise industry for almost 15 years and this experience led us to be appointed by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) to prepare and present independent expert economic evidence in support of the resource application. This process required an assessment of the economic case that accompanied the resource consent application, of the Auckland Council’s response to the resource consent application, of the submissions for and against the application and other expert economic peer assessments and opinion. No less than five economists have been involved in this exercise. AEC was invited to present our economic evidence at the commissioner’s hearings in Auckland. It's been a huge process and even if the commission recommends approval it may be subject to legal challenge. In the meantime, cruise itinerary planners continue to monitor the situation and make future port visitation decisions with this uncertainty in mind.

Drone technology and its use is one of the fastest growing sectors in the global economy. Sales of recreational and commercial drones are expected to grow from a base of $8.5 billion in 2016 to $12 billion by 2021 (41%). Drone-related industries are also expected to grow at similar rates. AEC, and our project partner Aviation Projects, recently worked with a Queensland local government client that sees the development of a Drones Strategy as a key economic driver for its region. The aim is to be at the forefront of developing a vision and objectives to maximise economic and social benefits. When considering your own situation and whether you can build a case to attract investment related to the drone industry there are lots of issues that need consideration. For example: Does your region offer any competitive advantages to attract drone-related business including political and organisational commitment? Is your location and terrain suitable, offering differing natural environments and urban areas? Drones and airports are not compatible so need to be effectively separated, so is there greenfield/ brownfield space available for drone-related uses? Is there an available, trained and motivated workforce with supporting services to accommodate expansion and growth in drone-related activity? A detailed and pragmatic investment attraction and sector development program will deliver real and tangible outcomes for the local area. Key focus areas to consider include: Having consistent and constructive policies supporting recreational and commercial drone operations. Increasing community awareness about the benefits and use of drones including regulations and privacy rules. Having the infrastructure needed to drive and support industry growth. Having appropriate incentivisation, grants and promotion programs in place. Making sure there is an effective collaboration and advocacy strategy in place to garner broader support.

Client: Tablelands Regional Council State: QLD AEC Group (AEC) was commissioned by Tablelands Regional Council (Council) to undertake a review of its waste function to identify the level of cost recovery required via waste utility charges and waste disposal fees, and the implications for fees and charges from the introduction of the Queensland Government waste levy. AEC utilised its proprietary waste function lifecycle costing and pricing model to undertake the assessment.

AEC’s Visual Communication team are excited to announce that the Townsville City Council Annual report has once again been awarded Gold at the Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA). The Australasian Reporting Awards exists to improve continually the standards of reporting. The annual report especially, is an essential mechanism of accountability, a vital element in the governance process. The challenge for the person preparing the report is to interpret that information for their own organisation’s peculiarities and communicate it in a way that is effective for their stakeholders. AEC’s Visual Communication team have designed the report for several years and have picked up several Bronze Medals, a Silver and now two Gold Medals. This being a very significant achievement as in the 66 years of these ARA Awards, Townsville City Council is only one of a small number of local governments in Queensland ever to win a Gold Award. This years Annual Report was designed by AEC Designer Kirubesh Ganeshan. “Creative Director Lyndon Berresford said. “It’s great to work on these projects and not only us get the recognition but our clients hard work is recognised to. These awards also showcase the diversity of our creative projects. AEC’s philosophy has always been ‘to be regonised through the success of our clients’. That means that an award for our clients means a win for us”. For Further information contact: Lyndon Berresford, AEC Creative Director lyndon.berresford@aecgroupltd.com

Client: LGAQ State: QLD AEC was engaged by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) to conduct a review into the existing local government natural resource management governance arrangements in Queensland and identify potential alternative governance options that may be deployed for the delivery of natural resource management.