Client: Commercial In Confidence State: NSW AEC was engaged to carry out an Economic Impact Assessment to support the proposed development of the Site in question. The Site was proposed to be developed into a mixed-use business hub with a mix of land uses including a highway service centre (service station and fast food outlet), industrial units, large format retail showrooms and short-term accommodation. AEC carried out an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) Analysis to understand the impact of the proposed development on future acquisition costs should the Site be required for a public purpose in the future.

Client: Drill Pty Ltd State: NSW AEC was engaged to assist in understanding the potential revenue associated with the land uses proposed for a Westmead site. This assessment was required to assist with our client's internal development feasibility modelling. The land uses contemplated were (1) retail and commercial uses, (2) medical-related commercial uses, (3) hotel and (4) student accommodation. The assessment involved an overview of future growth for the Site, description of demand drivers and influencing factors, a supply assessment (including in comparable markets) and a demand assessment. The deliverable was an excel workbook that combined the analysis and background research, as well as a listing of the revenue assumptions for the client's feasibility modelling.

In keeping with our ongoing work with airports throughout Australia we are pleased that AEC and The Airport Group have been engaged by WA’s Department of Regional Development to unlock the development potential of WA’s regional airports through encouragement of private sector investment opportunities. The final outcome will be a whole-of-state investment framework for development of the regional airports that identifies options for collaborative State and private sector investment/ funding. This strategic work with ‘The Airport Group’ follows on from AEC’s in-depth understanding of the Australian aviation industry and airport infrastructure, having completed a number of strategic business and pricing reviews of airports and business cases for airport upgrades across Australia. Our development of the National Tourism Investment Strategy for the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Tourism & Resources also included an investigation into Transport Related Infrastructure Investment, specifically focusing on investment issues, asset utilisation and return on investment across all major Australian airports.

Client: Whitsunday Regional Council State: QLD The Whitsunday Regional Council adopted its local Economic Development Strategy (2017-2021) , with a plan to drive growth in the region over a four-year period. AEC were engaged by the Council to assist in extrapolating the current strategic actions into an implementable plan. During this process, AEC worked with the Council's Economic Development division in the attribution of sub-actions, timing, resourcing and prioritisation of actions. This information was utilised by council to provide inputs for a full resourcing chart.

Client: Whitsunday Event Strategy State: Whitsunday Regional Council Growing the economic contribution of festivals and events is a major focus for both the Whitsunday Regional Council and Tourism Whitsundays, who engaged AEC to develop a Major Festivals and Events Attraction Strategy (2019-2023) for the region. This strategy is supported by detailed background research, and utilised market trends, stakeholder consultation, insights and opportunity analysis to provide a collective vision for the Whitsundays events industry, whilst also aiming to increase the profile and capacity of the region. The strategy is currently being used to identify the types of major events that maximise the essence of the region, as well as events that have the potential to stimulate powerful economic outcomes for the region, both now and in the future. The Strategy also provides a framework for Council to determine funding and other assistance to events, based on a clear set of objectives and criteria, and includes a five-year action plan with clear deliverables and timings.

Client: City of Sydney State: NSW AEC was engaged by the City of Sydney to assist with the preparation of the Local Strategic Planning Statement and the Local Housing Strategy. AEC provided three separate studies for the City of Sydney, (1) development capacity for land use controls, (2) feasibility of development in heritage conservation areas, and (3) development feasibility of mandated land use splits. For the first study, AEC reviewed development capacity data and historic supply, conducted an appraisal of residential markets, profiled factors that influence deliverability of development capacity, conducted spot-checking of the lot-level data and aggregated the estimated dwelling capacity by village area to cross check against historic supply. This led to an understanding of the feasibility of development capacity by village area under current planning controls and estimates of likely take-up in the future. For the second study, AEC reviewed development and market activity, reviewed existing uses and built form and estimate at an aggregate level, and used the estimate of existing property value (in aggregate) to identify the likely FSR controls needed for comprehensive redevelopment to occur following the removal of heritage conservation areas designation. For the third study, AEC reviewed development and market activity to understand the extent and type of non-residential floorspace feasible for mixed use, conducted iterative testing of the impact of increases non-residential GFA on development feasibility and analysed possible reasons for and drivers of differences in outcomes across centres. This led to an understanding of the viability of implementing non-residential floorspace requirements on new mixed-use development in the Study Area.

Client: NSW Department of Primary Industries State: NSW Bowfishing (a crossover between fishing and hunting) is a popular activity allowed in coastal (not inland) waters under the Fisheries Management Act 1994. The DPI Game Licensing Unit and Fisheries division under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 undertook an 18-month restricted trial of bowfishing for Carp in specific inland waterways. AEC was commissioned to undertake an online survey with hunters participating in the trial to understand hunter behaviour, types of interactions and compliance with hunting regulations.

January saw the global launch of the Venum Nutrition brand and product line in Los Angeles. Venum's fightgear clothing brand already is an established global product, and the Venum Nutrition line will now complete the brand with specifically designed nutrition products for athletes and competition fighters in mind. AEC Creative Director, Lyndon Berresford said "Working closely with the company to develop the brand and product was challenging, but a very exciting project. It truly was a team effort on a global scale as we were working with Venum's headquarters in Paris, the manufactures in America, as well as distributors in China and other regions of Asia. There is a huge global market for nutritional products so we had to make the packaging stand out on the shelves, but also compliment Venum's existing brand. Not only did it have to look fantastic but the packaging had to meet all United States and international regulations which was probably the biggest challenge." AEC designed and developed over 20 nutrition product brands and packaging for Venum Nutrition, with further brand development including creation of a global advertising campaign with some of the industries top athletes and merchandising displays, as the product was rolled out globally. "Only a few weeks in and we are starting to see the brand pop up all over the world. From photoshoots on Venice Beach, California to magazines in Europe, it is all pretty exciting. This brand is all about winning, so this integrated approach to delivering this type of project is what makes AEC market leaders in this area." Lyndon said. Should you require assistance regarding any aspect of your companyís branding, or commercial design requirements, please contact Lyndon Berresford, Creative Director, on (07) 4771 5550 or lyndon.berresford@aecgroupltd.com.

Client: Gympie Regional Council State: QLD This project involved an independent review of the appropriateness of the business structure adopted for the Rattler Railway Company, a controlled entity of Gympie Regional Council, in addition to the financial arrangements between the entity and Council. The objective of the assessment was to provide the entity and Council with a series of recommendations regarding the future relationship between the two organisations, following an indepth review of all agreements and financial performance outcomes, in addition to consultation findings.

Client: Livingston Shire Council State: QLD This project involved the development of long-term price paths for Livingstone Shire Council's water, sewerage, trade waste and recycled water functions that were not only reflective of full cost pricing principles and allow for effective long-term financial planning inclusive of potential returns to the community, but were also set with reference to industry best practice and user pays principles.

Client: Local Government Association of Queensland State: QLD The Queensland Department of Environment and Science released a consultation Regulatory Impact Statement 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. The 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: Local Government Association of Queensland State: QLD The LGAQ commissioned AEC to undertake a comparative analysis of rating practices and methodologies for resources and renewable energy sector projects in Council areas significantly influenced by such activity, with the objective of guiding Councils in establishing appropriate rating structures to recover the significant costs imposed on Councils by these sectors while ensuring the rating structures in place are equitable and transparent.