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.

Client: Port Pirie Region Council State: SA AEC was engaged by Council to conduct a fresh review into its rating structure for potential implementation from 2019-20, with the primary objective being to ensure a fair method of recovering rates from properties across the region through the application of the principles of equity, consistency, sustainability and simplicity. The review assessed whether the current rating strategy was meeting its original objectives or whether alternative approaches may better reflect these principles, in addition to reviewing (and amending if necessary) the approach to rating against applicable legislation and equity principles given the current approach is based on a historical position. The review was focused on the composition and distribution of general rates, and therefore it did not consider increases or adjustments to total rate income or other sources of revenue.

Client: Port Authority NSW State: NSW Port Authority of New South Wales, together with New South Wales Treasury, commissioned AEC to undertake intercept surveys with cruise ship passengers and crew at White Bay Terminal and Overseas Passenger Terminal during the 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20 peak cruise tourism season. The purpose the study was to assist in defining future considerations in port development opportunities by exploring passenger and crew perceptions and attitudes across key travel factors, defining drivers and key considerations of travelling via Sydney, ascertaining passenger satisfaction and evaluating expenditure to identify drivers influencing spend. Over 7,000 intercept surveys were captured from passengers and crew members across the two terminals.

Client: Central Highlands Regional Council State: QLD This project involved a review of water and wastewater business cost recovery for Central Highlands Regional Council, in addition to benchmarking of water and wastewater prices with peer Councils. Suggested price paths were developed based on the assessment outcomes, in addition to other considerations being addressed (e.g. implications of Sunwater price hikes, adjustment to access charge multipliers for larger connections, review of appropriateness of retaining early payment discounts).

Client: Market & Communications Research (MCR) State: QLD A priority Development Area was declared (September 2016) to facilitate the development of the University of the Moreton Bay Campus, located at the core of The Mill Moreton Bay. This development will support the delivery of the university, together with a number of mixed-use facilities providing education, health, retail, residential, recreation, commercial and environmental uses. The higher education precinct is anticipated to help revitalise the local area and support economic, social and environmental outcomes and priorities. Given this potential impact on the regional landscape, AEC provided a report outlining key demographic and economic indicators for the local community and economy to help understand the current landscape and environment. AEC also provided high-level population by age projections as well as employment by industry projections to understand potential growth industries in the region.

Client: South Burnett Regional Council State: QLD AEC were engaged by South Burnett Regional Council to conduct a market and operational review of the Coolabunia Saleyards. The purpose of the report was to identify future operating options for the saleyard and potential courses of action to assist the Council in future decision making. The report included a review of the beef cattle industry, a market overview of the catchment, an operational review of the saleyards and stakeholder engagement to understand market positioning.

Client: Regional Development Australia (Sydney) State: NSW Access to transport is a key enabler of access to education, health services and employment opportunities. Transport networks and accessibility also impact on the current and future level of skills demanded compared to the level of skills supplied in different areas. In order to understand the degree of equitable access to transport within Western Sydney, AEC spatially analysed the presence of public transport options for each SA1 within the region and determined whether transport access had any correlation with socio-economic advantage or disadvantage. In addition, AEC analysed the existing occupational mix both in terms of local workers and local residents. This enabled identification of key occupations which are currently imported. Future occupational demands were also estimated to enable a understanding of potential future trends.

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: Townsville City Council State: QLD Contributing to ongoing efforts by Council to revitalise the Townsville CBD, Council proposed a redevelopment of Central Park as part of a broader effort to unlock the potential of the Townsville CBD by extending the citys heart across the river to link with key infrastructure including the new North Queensland Stadium. AEC provided an economic impact assessment and cost benefit analysis of Stage 1 of the proposed City Heart Masterplan. The economic analysis supports a business case submission by Townsville Regional Council for funding. The analysis outlined the rationale for the project and key regional needs it seeks to address, as well as an overview of the types of benefits the project will deliver. Direct and flow-on economic impacts during construction and post construction were assessed using Input-Output modelling techniques, with other socio-economic benefits delivered by the project not appropriately captured by the Input-Output modelling are examined qualitatively. The Cost Benefit Analysis examined the range of benefits and costs of the project and outlined the net benefit to the regional economy. Key benefits examined included increased business activation, tourism activity and amenity benefits for locals.

Client: Somerset Regional Council State: QLD Somerset Regional Council proposed to install new surfaces on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) to support tourism, with an aim to attract cyclists to travel north of Fernvale and enhance the number of overnight stays of trail users. The rail trail upgrades include works near Coominya as well as between Lowood and Fernvale. This redevelopment will better connect towns along the BVRT between Wulkuraka and Yarraman. To assess the impacts of the BVRT redevelopment to the Somerset economy, AEC undertook Input-Output modelling of construction and post-construction activity resulting from the proposed redevelopment of the BVRT. The findings were used to support Council's submission to the Queensland Government's Building Our Regions Program.

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.

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.