In December 2016, the Townsville City Deal is a 15-year commitment between all three tiers of government that aims to support a prosperous economic future for Townsville, position Townsville as a vibrant, liveable and innovative city and unlock the potential for business and industry development. The Townsville City Deal was being delivered through a range of commitments across six key initiatives. One of these initiatives includes a focus on establishing Townsville as the capital of North Queensland and includes commitment to the delivery of new cultural and entertainment infrastructure. AEC was engaged by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts to undertake the Townsville Concert Hall and Culture Precinct Detailed Business Case in conjunction with AECOM. The Business Case includes detailed stakeholder engagement with the local arts and cultural community, with the stakeholder engagement forming a key input into the development of a service need. In developing the Business Case, AEC are also considering options for the infrastructure such as site options, asset delivery considerations and facility options. The analysis also includes detailed consideration including design, financial and economic appraisal, risk analysis and legal, regulatory and approvals pathway.

Client: Shoalhaven City Council State: NSW AEC was engaged by Shoalhaven City Council to prepare the Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) for the 2022-26 Resourcing Strategy. The project required AEC to complete a review of the current and future planning context and asses the alignment of current financial performance with the key plans and strategies. AEC developed the LTFP modelling and provided advice to Council on the sustainability of the proposed capital works program and service expenditure based on the current revenue strategies. Financial modelling included projected income and expenditure, balance sheet and cash flow statements for the budgeted scenario, as well as two alternative scenarios. Included in the LTFP are strategies that AEC recommended Council implements to achieve the desired long term financial sustainability and methods for monitoring the performance of the LTFP. To complete the engagement, AEC facilitated a workshop with the Councillors and Executive to present the draft LTFP and to discuss any matters of interest to the Council prior to adoption of the LTFP. The LTFP drafted by AEC is now published and available in the Resourcing Strategy on Council’s website: https://doc.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/Displaydoc.aspx?Record=D22/273281

AEC was engaged by DevelopmentWA to deliver a business case which sought to identify and recommend the ideal solution to address the critical vessel lifting capability gap at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC). The AMC is a foundational facility for the marine industry within Western Australia. Work undertaken across the AMC supports not only the marine industry, and industries with marine supply chain requirements, but it also support the region’s economic prosperity. AEC’s role was to develop the business case to identify the preferred solution to addressing the critical infrastructure gap. AEC undertook detailed demand projections, estimated the overall social and economic impact of the proposed investment, and evaluated the commercial viability of the proposed investment. The recommended solution considered the strategic alignment of the investment to the overall State and regional objectives and a risk assessment of the proposed investment.

Agriculture AEC is passionate about the agricultural sector because we understand its economic contribution and we see a bright future for its industries, supply chains and the positive impact they have on regional communities. Many of our consulting team are from regional Australia with personal and professional backgrounds in the agricultural sector. For many communities, agriculture is the dominant industry, in terms of economic activity, employment and regional exports. We understand many regions’ fortunes rise and fall on the success of their dominant agricultural industry. We also understand the interlinkages between the agricultural sector in the regions and city-based food and fibre (value adding) manufacturing industries. At AEC, we leverage our experience in production, processing, agricultural supply chains and industry associations to provide tailored advice that meets any client’s needs. The services we offer: Business & Asset Valuation Business Case Writing Corporate & Operational Planning Corporate Structure & Strategy Advice Corporate Transactions & Restructures Demand Assessments Due Diligence Economic & Industry Development Strategy Economic Impact Assessment Financial Feasibility Assessment Lobbying & Advocacy Market Analysis & Outlook Reporting Market Entry Strategies Program Review & Evaluation Employment & Skills Strategy Social Impact Assessment For further information, contact one of our specialists below. Holly Marson holly.marson@aecgroupltd.com Ashley Page ashley.page@aecgroupltd.com Pacific Reef Fisheries Expansion Client: Pacific MBD Industries: to develop an economic impact assessment of the expansion of Pacific Reef Fisheries... Hells Gate Feasibility Study Client: Townsville Enterprise. The Hells Gate Dam Feasibility Study is investigating options to develop a large-scale irrigation district.. Lakeland Irrigation Scheme Detailed Business Case Client: SMEC and Regional Development Australia (RDA) Tropical North. Delivery of a Detailed Business Case for the Lakeland Irrigation... Glen Innes Equine and Livestock Business Case Client: Glen Innes Severn Council State: NSW AEC and StruXi were engaged to develop a business case for submission to the NSW... Recent Projects

Resources Energy & Infrastructure The mining, resources and energy sectors have contributed more than 12% to Australia’s Gross Domestic Product in recent years, highlighting the sectors are critical drivers of Australia’s current and future economic progress and development. The socio-economic and environmental issues surrounding mining and resources use resonate with the broader community now more than ever before from the towns where the resources are located to regional agricultural communities where water availability is vital to their livelihood to Australia’s largest cities that are powered by and consume the outputs from our resources and energy sectors. Understanding the dynamics and socio-economic levers that engage these sectors and their communities is important to planning future regional and national landscapes this is where AEC is able to assist your sector and/ or community. The services we offer: Business & Operational Efficiency Reviews Business Case Writing Community, Consumer, Customer & Corporate Sentiment Demand Assessments Economic & Industry Development Strategy Economic Impact Assessment Financial Sustainability Reviews & Planning Governance & Implementation Planning Lobbying & Advocacy Market Analysis & Outlook Reporting Marketing & Branding Strategy Regulatory & Legislative Reviews Employment & Skills Strategy For further information, contact one of our specialists below. Kieron Lacey kieron.lacey@aecgroupltd.com Ashley Page ashley.page@aecgroupltd.com North QLD Water Infrastructure Authority, Hells Gates Dam Supply Chain Analysis Client: North QLD Water Infrastructure Authority State: QLD The Hells Gates Dam Scheme (HGDS) Supply Chain Assessment examined the nature... Hidden Valley Mine Closure EIA Client: Harmony Gold Country: Papua New Guinea AEC were engaged by Harmony Gold to examine the economic contribution of the Hidden... AMC Marine Lift Business Case Client: Development WA: AEC was engaged by DevelopmentWA to deliver a business case which sought to identify and recommend the ideal... Baralaba South Project EIS Client: Wonbindi Coal Pty Ltd State: QLD Mount Ramsay Coal Company proposed to develop an open cut coal mine producing approximately 5... Recent Projects

Strategic Finance Our Strategic Finance team provides a uniquely holistic approach to delivering insight through a comprehensive suite of business planning advisory research and modelling expertise and resources. Our mission as your trusted advisor is to support you to make informed decisions regarding the long-term strategy and financial sustainability of your organisation and your operational assets. What we do: Financial Sustainability Long term financial planning is a crucial component to provide the strategic direction and policy platform on which to guide your investment decisions and resource allocations. Revenue & Cost Management Strategies The efficient and effective management of resource allocation is essential to ensure a financially sustainable outcome. The pressure to maintain or grow services at an appropriate level and to identify resources to meet other corporate objectives increases year on year. Asset Management Planning The integration of long-term financial plans with asset management plans is the key area of focus for improvement to enhance capital and operational efficiency. Full integration of long-term financial planning places councils in the best position to allocate resources effectively and to provide a demonstrable platform to secure grant and borrowing needs. Service & Business Reviews Continual improvement in community-facing as well as internal service delivery is an integral part of ensuring that service levels are appropriate and service and business operations are running as efficiently as possible. We are able to work with you in undertaking service assessment and options analysis as well as developing and providing financial and pricing models that support business decision making. Pricing & Costing Models One of our key strengths is our ability to develop financial assessment modelling tools for the specific requirements of different industry sectors. We have developed a range of inhouse proprietary models to support local and state government and enterprise financial sustainability. For further information, contact one of our specialists below. Gavin O'Donovan gavin.odonovan@aecgroupltd.com Graham Jarvis graham.jarvis@aecgroupltd.com Australia Local Government Association Financial Assistance Grant Sustainability Study Client: ALGA: to complete a detailed research project into the financial sustainability of local government and the benefits provided... Edward RC Financial Sustainability Review Client: Edward River Council State: NSW The objective of the Financial Sustainability Review was to facilitate sustainable... Gunnedah Saleyards Business Case Client: Gunnedah Shire Council State: NSW AEC developed a business case to provide support for the renewal of the existing Gunnedah... Burdekin Grain Storage Business Case Client: P. Scuderi & Company Pty Ltd State: QLD AEC were engaged to develop a business case to expand the Burdekins existing grain... Recent Projects