Client: Dexus Projects State: NSW AEC was engaged by DEXUS to prepare and Economic Impact Assessment to consider the need for a planning proposal to amend the planning controls that apply to a site on Frederick Street St Leonards, and thereafter to assess the economic impacts likely to result from proposed planning control amendments and subsequent redevelopment of the Site. In order to assess the economic impacts of the proposal, a base case and proposal case were developed and compared. Outcomes of the EIA included the identification of the merits of the Proposal from a strategic planning market perspective, as well as the appropriateness of the proposal in assisting to achieve the vision of the St Leonards Health and Education Precinct. The economic impacts of the proposal were also identified to understand the opportunity cost of the ‘do-nothing’ scenario.

Client: Conybeare Morrison International Pty Ltd State: NSW AEC undertook a tourism market assessment, including identification and analysis of potential use options, for the Hill End Historic Site in NSW. Hill End Historic Site is a former gold mining town located 280 kilometres north-west of Sydney between Bathurst and Mudgee in the NSW Central Tablelands. Hill End owes its existence to the NSW gold rush of the 1850s, and at its peak in the early 1870s had a population estimated at 8,000 served by two newspapers, five banks, eight churches and twenty-eight pubs. In stark contrast, today the population is around 90.AEC's report provided a scoping of tourism options, including alternative governance models, which were deemed suitable to preserving, conserving and elevating the tourism profile of the Hill End Historic Site with the ultimate aim of creating a sustainable tourism destination.

Client: MBD Industries AEC developed an economic impact assessment of the expansion of Pacific Reef Fisheries. Input-Output modelling was applied to estimate the economic impacts to the regional economy during construction and once operational.

Client: Ewamian Aborigianl Corporation State: QLD AEC developed an economic appraisal of the Talaroo Hot Springs development stages 1 and 2 (hot springs tours and associated accommodation development). The assessment included: • Financial analysis based on industry benchmarks to consider the viability under a range of funding arrangements and demand scenarios. • Input-Output modelling to estimate the direct and flow-on impacts of the project during construction and once operational. • Cost benefit analysis of the project, estimating the net socio-economic benefits to the local community.

Client: Ernst & Young State: VIC AEC compiled existing information on cruise ships visiting Melbourne (Victoria). A number of key characteristics were reported including ship charateristics and type, passenger demographics and expenditure information.

Client: Fife Capital State: NSW AEC were engaged by FIFE Capital to provide a proposal to provide valuation advice to support development of a VPA offer for negotiations with City of Parramatta (Council). It is understood a planning proposal seeks to rezone a site on Kirby Street, Rydalmere from IN1 General Residential to R4 High Density Residential. Several density options are currently being considered. In order to complete the requirements of the brief, AEC undertook a number of tasks, broadly structured in two parts. The first part was a comparison of site value comparing the base case to proposal case. The second part was determining the appropriate contribution in Voluntary Planning Agreements Policy.

Client: Bundaberg Regional Council State: QLD Bundaberg Regional Council (Council) has an aspiration to invest in and create a revitalised Bundaberg City CBD, improving its functionality and diversifying its tenants. As part of this revitalisation, Council is investigating options for developing a health and education precinct in the CBD, including a level 5 tertiary hospital. Other potential locations for a health and education precinct are also being investigated by the Queensland State Government, outside the CBD. AEC were engaged to undertake a qualitative assessment of the socio-economic impacts to Bundaberg of having the proposed health and university precinct located in the CBD, rather than outside the CBD. In undertaking this assessment, a likelihood-consequence style assessment was used. The findings of this report were used to inform a broader study being undertaken by AECOM regarding the implications of developing a health and university precinct in the Bundaberg CBD.

Client: Honeycombes Property Group State: QLD AEC were engaged by Honeycombes Property Group to develop responses on the mandatory criteria for the Regional Growth Fund application for the Townsville Marine Tourism Precinct. The responses were based on the previous economic analysis developed by AEC for the Precinct. The responses covered: Demonstration of Overnight Visitor Expenditure/Visitation Promotion of Economic Growth Capital Works

Client: Fraser Coast Regional Council State: QLD FCRC proposed to develop land at the Hervey Bay Airport to create the Avion Airside Precinct. AEC were engaged to develop a business case for the project, examining the need for the project, the socio-economic benefits the project will deliver to the regional economy and communities, and the financial impacts to Council of project delivery. A cost benefit analysis was also provided, outlining the net benefit of the project to the region. The analysis is specifically designed to support funding submissions for the project. Input-Output modelling techniques were used to assess the economic impacts associated with the projects construction, as well as impacts from operation of businesses moving to the precinct and increased airport activity. Other socio-economic benefits delivered by the project not appropriately captured by the Input-Output modelling were examined qualitatively. The cost benefit analysis was undertaken in line with Queensland and Australian Government guidelines for project evaluation.

Client: Blacktown City Council State: NSW AEC was engaged by Blacktown City Council to assist in the preparation of a Needs Assessment. As part of this, AEC developed a Cost Benefit Analysis of the proposed regional netball and sports facility at Schofields. The findings of the report were used to assist funding applications for Council.

Client: Townsville City Council State: QLD Townsville City Council engaged AEC working in partnership with Ibis Information Systems to undertake a comprehensive review of its commercial retail rating strategy, and consider consequent implications for other rating categories, with the objectives of creating a simpler, fairer and more equitable structure overall, with all ratepayers paying their fair share. The required deliverables of the project included: A critical review of the recent QAO Report in the context of Council’s rating processes. Scenario modelling of recommended changes to rating structures. Stakeholder meetings with ratepayer groups and individual businesses Presentation to Council of a detailed report.

Client: Cairns Regional Council State: QLD AEC was commissioned by AECOM to provide the technical economic and financial analysis for the Cairns Regional Gallery Precinct Business Case. The project included: • Completion of 10-Year cash-flow forecasts for each option using capital and operational cost inputs, funding assumptions and any revenue generating benefits. • Peer review of the preliminary financial sensitivity analysis at confidence level P-50 and further develop the sensitivity for each option to confidence level P-90. • Calculation of Net Present Value (NPV). • Identification of the timing, mechanisms and sources for cash flows and consequent impacts on Council’s financial position. • An assessment of the economic benefits and costs delivered by each option using standard cost benefit analysis (CBA) techniques, meeting PAF guidelines. This involved: Developing a summary description of the Project case as well as what would be expected to occur without the Project (the base case). o Identification, quantification and valuation of the relevant annual costs and benefits of each option, compared to what would otherwise be expected to occur in the base case. This included consideration of project impacts and benefits. o A discounted cash flow analysis of the stream of annualised benefits and costs, to assess the net present value (NPV), net present value per unit of capital of investment (NPVI), benefit cost ratio (BCR) and internal rate of return (IRR) for the Project. Discounting was undertaken using standard discount rates for CBA (4%, 7% and 10%). o Sensitivity analysis of key assumptions and variables used in the CBA, using Monte Carlo analysis. Sensitivity analysis was conducted for key assumptions/ variables in isolation, as well as different combinations.