Client: Northern Territory Government State: NT AEC was engaged by the Northern Territory Department of Trade, Business and Innovation to identify the opportunities for expanding the superyacht sector in the Northern Territory and the required infrastructure and skills development programs required to do this. This project involved an assessment of the potential options for the development of the sector, and the development of a high-level business case for the potential investment in new services and/or infrastructure. The project ultimately demonstrated the potential of the Northern Territory to establish a superyacht industry servicing hub, providing an outline of infrastructure/service gaps, capital costs, activities and policy setting required to support growth in the sector that ties with the National Superyacht Development Strategy. Further it provided analysis to support private sector and public sector investment in the superyacht industry, which would in turn create jobs and support economic/ industry development within the Territory.

Client: Townsville Enterprise Limited State: QLD AEC developed a Readiness and Resilience program outline for Palm Island on behalf of Townsville Enterprise Limited. The outline highlighted the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA) and the opportunity it will provide to the local community. The program intends to increase the skills and infrastructure on Palm island to provide experiences for the modern tourist. AEC also analysed the economic benefits of the program to the local community by using Input-Output modelling.

Client: Cassowary Coast Regional Council State: QLD AEC previously developed a water and sewerage business plan for Cassowary Coast Regional Council, and Council commissioned AEC to update the price paths for its water and sewerage services based on current budget information and capital works projections. AEC's proprietary cost recovery model for water and sewerage services was utilised to develop long-term price paths for water and sewerage services for Council that will ensure ongoing financial sustainability in addition to meeting industry best practice cost recovery principles and Council's targeted rate of return from its investment in water and sewerage assets.

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: Gladstone Regional Council State: QLD AEC was commissioned by Gladstone Regional Council to provide independent advice on the appropriateness of Gladstone Area Water Boards submission to the Queensland Competition Authority 2020-25 price monitoring review which essentially sets the bulk water prices that Council ratepayers will need to pay during the 5-year period. The assessment included the proposed price increase, appropriateness of expenditure claims, the return on capital applied, the form of regulation and regulatory pricing period, cost to service Council vs industrial customers, recovery of historic revenue shortfalls and pricing review triggers.

Client: Royal Flying Doctors Service State: QLD AEC was engaged by the Royal Flying Doctors Service to develop an economic analysis for the potential development of a new aeromedical based at the Mount Isa airport. AEC undertook Input-Output modelling and Cost Benefit Assessment to understand the potential impacts the development would bring to the North West Queensland community. The findings of the report were used to support a Building Better Regions Funding application.

Client: LGAQ State: QLD The Queensland Department of Environment and Science released a consultation Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) proposing amendments to existing legislative provisions regarding the ability for Queensland Councils to designate waste collection service areas for the mandatory collection of non-domestic waste. LGAQ commissioned AEC to assist it in preparing its submission to the consultation RIS, using inputs from affected Councils. The AEC report highlighted a number of significant oversights and inaccuracies within the State's documentation, and found that the proposed changes would have significant financial and social implications for affected Queensland Councils and communities.

Client: Townsville Hospital and Health Service State: QLD This study involved qualitative and quantitative research across five (5) stakeholder groups including telephone surveys with general community across six council regions, online surveys with internal stakeholders, one-on-one interviews with key external stakeholders, community organisations and interest groups. The research objectives for the study were to understand stakeholder perception of THHS brand and its image, understand overall perception of THHS and its offering and understand stakeholder satisfaction, trust and loyalty with THHS.

Client: Bundaberg Regional Council State: QLD The project involved a review of Bundaberg Regional Councils financial and revenue strategies, in addition to developing recommended strategies moving forward to ensure best practice approaches are applied in a manner which ensures Council ongoing financial sustainability and enhances user pays principles. With significant capital works on the horizon, Council required a comprehensive assessment of its overarching financial strategy, long-term asset management planning and assumptions and decision-making regarding the timing and funding of operational and capital projects into the future.

The cruising industry has taken a massive hit with the pandemic and its widespread implications, not just for cruise ships but travel in general. But there’s still hope. During 2019, AEC in partnership with The BHive undertook a research project that covered several major cruise ports in the Asia Pacific region to figure out what was working and what needed to change in respect to the impact of cruise tourism on micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) growth and creating sustainable communities. The findings of that report are out now. What we discovered was that cruising is indeed operationally, economically and socially complex. It provides enormous benefits to local economies but also requires responsible management for positive environmental, economic and social outcomes. Cruise tourism is only sustainable if it is socially equitable, environmentally benign and commercially sound. Communities need to learn how to access and work with cruise lines, as well as identify skills gaps in their MSMEs that service the cruise industry. So there are big opportunities but there’s a lot of work that needs to be done for cruising to flourish. The pandemic has given us all a massive wake-up call but this is also a chance to reset and rebuild better. I, for one, am really excited about working to create a sustainable future for the cruise industry. To read the full APEC Cruise Tourism Impact report click here - https://www.apec.org/Publications/2020/08/APEC-Economic-Study-on-the-Impact-of-Cruise-Tourism Photo Credit: PNG Tourism Promotion Authority

Client: Cairns Regional Council State: QLD Cairns Regional Council (Council) were investigating the implementation of a visitor levy to assist in funding additional marketing investment to increase visitation to the local region. Council engaged AEC to undertake research and modelling to understand the potential economic impact such an increase in visitation may have for the local economy, in terms of visitor expenditure, Gross Regional Product (GRP) and employment (direct and indirect). AEC undertook literature review to identify the return on tourism marketing investment elsewhere in Australia to identify the potential additional visitation and visitor spend attracted, and developed Input-Output multipliers to identify the direct and and flow-on impacts.

Client: Government of Western Australia - Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage State: WA The Department of the State Heritage Office commissioned a value for money review of the tour products offered by Fremantle Prison to assist in setting the pricing policy and ticket prices reflective of the experiences offered and responsive to the market. AEC addressed the project objectives by undertaking detailed desktop research to understand the tourism products offered with Perth metropolitan area as well as interstate offerings. Additionally, in-depth stakeholder consultations were undertaken to support our recommendations for yield management and further product extension at the Prison. Finally, approximately 400 intercept surveys were undertaken with visitors at the Prison to assess value for money of the tour products offered. The final report was due for submission within four (4) weeks of AEC being commissioned to undertake the works. Effective strategies were utilised by AEC to ensure delivery of the final report within the set timeframes including effective management of AEC resources. The project plan was designed with the strict timeframe in mind ensuring priorities were set accordingly for each component of the study. AEC successfully delivered the final report prior to the delivery date as a result of effective planning and execution of various study components.