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: 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: 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: 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: Department of State Development QLD State: QLD As part of the $420 million Advance Queensland initiative, the Queensland Government is creating an environment to foster emerging and priority sectors with global growth potential. The superyacht industry is one of these sectors and will play an important role in diversifying Queenslands economy and ensuring Queensland workers have access to the new jobs of the future. AEC were engaged to develop a five year industry development strategy to drive growth in Queensland's superyacht industry over the next five years. The analysis examined the current industry in Queensland, its strengths, weaknesses and competitive advantages, as well as key areas required to facilitate and realise growth potential. Strategies and actions for four priority action areas were developed to drive growth over the next five years.

Client: Logan City Council State: QLD AEC was commissioned by Logan City Council to assess whether it should establish a Container Refund Point at its Browns Plans waste facility in response to the Queensland Government's implementation of a container refund scheme, with the assessment incorporating: A review of the proposed scheme, based on the Request for Proposal Documentation, the Waste Reduction and Recycling Amendment Bill 2017 and other available information. Estimation of the potential volume of containers by type that may be received at the Container Refund Point. Assessment of the implications for the land area, infrastructure, plant and equipment required at the Browns Plains waste facility to facilitate the collection and storage of eligible containers and ultimate transportation to end markets for processing. Assessment of the implications for resourcing (including staff requirements) and traffic congestion/vehicle movements. Identification of the benefits and risks that may accrue to Council in receiving eligible containers. Overall recommendation on the viability of establishing a Container Refund Point at the Browns Plains waste facility.

Client: Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources - State Government Victoria State: VIC This project was designed identify the direct in-scope expenditure attributable to the Vipers World Championship and Festival of Sails to the Victorian economy. The 2017 Vipers World Championship was held from 7 and 15 January 2017 and 2017 Festival of Sails was held from 21 and 24 January 2017. Overall, the event attracted approximately 2,560 participants. Following the event, an online survey was made available to participants of both events which yielded 37 surveys.

Client: NSW Department of Planning and Environment State: NSW This project involved the development of a Special Infrastructure Contribution (SIC) model on behalf of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to use in determining the value of SIC levies applicable to a number of major Growth Areas across metropolitan Sydney. A comprehensive user guide was also prepared to guide the Department in its future use of the model. The model architecture included inputs on defining each growth area and applicable infrastructure networks, development profiles and infrastructure costs and timing, as well as funding rules. The model is used by the Department to deliver and finance facilitating infrastructure to support growth in the Sydney metropolitan area.

Client: Property Council of Australia (QLD) State: QLD This report was commissioned by the Queensland division of the Property Council of Australia (PCA) to examine the contribution of foreign investors purchasing residential property on the Queensland economy, and the potential implications of a proposed increase in surcharge on this contribution. The assessment reviewed historic levels of foreign investment as a share of total investment in residential property and compared this to previous AEC modelling on the economic contribution of residential property to the Queensland economy to estimate the level of economic activity supported by foreign investment in 2015-16. Implications of increasing the surcharge were estimated based on the observed reduction in foreign investor levels between 2015-16 and 2016-17 in Queensland and other states from the introduction of a surcharge. The outcomes of this research were used by PCA to inform discussions regarding the surcharge increase.

Client: Penrith City Council State: NSW AEC was commissioned by Penrith City Council to carry out Residential Development Feasibility Analysis to understand if the current FSR and building height controls under the Penrith Local Environment Plan 2010 facilitate feasible development within the St Marys Town Centre. AEC carried out a detailed property market appraisal and tested a number of sample sites selected by Council to understand the commercial viability of development under existing planning controls. AEC provided a set of recommendations (both planning and non-planning) to improve the market viability of residential development within the St Marys Town Centre. The findings from the Feasibility Analysis assisted Penrith City Council in their review of the Penrith LEP

Client: Townsville Enterprise Limited State: QLD AEC delivered an assessment of the economic contribution that Magnetic Island provides to the broader regional North Queensland economy. The analysis included: Socio-economic profile of Magnetic Island highlighting key factors such as Gross Regional Product, unemployment, visitation and median incomes per week. Input-output modelling to estimate the direct and flow-on impacts the Island generates as part of the regional North Queensland economy. The findings of the report will be used to support future strategic decisions and advocacy/awareness of the importance of Magnetic Island.

Client: Southern Downs Regional Council State: QLD Southern Downs Regional Council engaged AEC to deliver a Triple Bottom Line impact assessment of the current Invasive Pest Control Scheme in the Southern Downs region. Key aspects of the assessment included: An overview of the Southern Downs agricultural industry. Qualitative and quantitative impacts (economic, environmental and social) of the top five most prevalent invasive pests. A review of the invasive Pest Control Scheme including the scheme's financial performance over the years of operation. Engagement with landholders, Local Government Association Queensland, Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs QLD and the Queensland Treasury Corporation to consider their views of success of the Invasive Pest Control Scheme, tripple bottom line benefits and potential areas for improvement. Future projections of impacted land in the Southern Downs over a low, medium and high scenario with and without the IPCS. A cost-benefit assessment of the Invasive Pest Control Scheme, with a qualitative write up of costs and benefits not included. Identified opportunities for the potential improvement of the scheme.