Pacific Reef Fisheries is planning to expand it's black tiger prawn business to a new farm at Guthalungra in the Townsville / Whitsunday Management Area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Pacific Reef Fisheries proposes to establish additional prawn aquaculture operations through the stages construction of 244 hectares of new prawn ponds and associated infrastructure. AEC was engaged by MBD Industries to develop an economic impact assessment of the expansion of Pacific Reef Fisheries. AEC provided a report which presented an Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project to the regional economy during construction and once operational. Input-Output modelling was applied to estimate the economic impacts to the regional economy during construction and once operational.

AEC was engaged by SMEC and Regional Development Australia (RDA) Tropical North as a partner in the delivery of the Detailed Business Case for the Lakeland Irrigation Area, funded by the National Water Grid. The Lakeland Irrigation Area is constituted of cleared, arable farming land around the town of Lakeland in southern Cape York. The Detailed Business Case builds on the work that AEC conducted for the Preliminary Business Case and augments it to meet the requirements of the Queensland Governments Project Approval Guidelines. AEC’s role in the Detailed Business Case includes: Service Need Assessment Strategic alignment analysis Water Demand Assessment (in accordance with the QLD Government’s Assessing Water Demand Guidelines) Agricultural commodity market assessment (both domestic and international markets) Preliminary economic and financial assessment of engineering options Detailed economic consideration of preferred engineering options Community engagement and public awareness Delivery pathway, including consideration of ownership, operations and funding requirements (both scheme and non-scheme infrastructure) Social Infrastructure Assessment and engagement with Cook Shire Council’s planning team to prepare for town expansion This project has also seen significant interaction and coordination with the SMEC engineering team as options are developed, tested and refined to form the baseline project case.

The Hells Gate Dam Feasibility Study is investigating options to develop a large-scale irrigation district in the Upper Burdekin catchment that will be supplied by a new fam to be constructed at Hells Gates, north of Charters Towers. AEC was engaged by Townsville Enterprise limited to support a project led by SMEC to deliver the preliminary Business Case for the Hells Gates Dam project as a precursor to Building Queensland’s Detailed Business Case framework. This analysis and report included a detailed market assessment that supported project and on farm financial feasibility analyses and an economic impact and cost benefit assessment. The analysis examined a number of cropping scenarios to evaluate the potential opportunities anticipated to be generated by the proposed scheme, that supported additional water for urban development, industrial development, an agricultural irrigation scheme as well as options for a pumped hydro electricity generation facility. The findings of the report were used to support funding

Client: Gunnedah Shire Council State: NSW AEC developed a business case to provide support for the renewal of the existing Gunnedah Saleyards, and provide an evidence base for future grant applications. Specifically, this business case is intended to provide the evidence base for applications under both the New South Wales (NSW) Government's Growing Local Economies (GLE) and Australian Government's Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) frameworks.The project will secure the Saleyards position as one of Australia and NSW's premier livestock selling facilities, ensuring the future growth and development of the Saleyards. Out of this review the Gunnedah Regional Saleyards masterplan (GRSMP) was established, which was endorsed by Council. The review recommended a number of capital improvements be made to the Saleyards to ensure they maintain their share of the cattle sales market and continue to provide positive social and economic benefits to the region.

Client: Cairns Regional Council State: QLD Cairns Regional Council (in Queensland) 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 flow-on impacts.

Client: Australian Industry Trade College (AITC) State: NSW AITC is a co-educational trade school where Year 10, 11 and 12 students can complete their senior secondary education whilst also commencing a school-based apprenticeship within a trade-based industry. AEC were engaged by AITC to conduct two concurrent Expression of Interest (EOI) campaigns to assist them in potentially sourcing new sites for their existing Toowoomba and Redland campus operations. AITC had very specific criteria that was required to be met to occupy new premises. The purpose to engage AEC was to have an independent consultant undertake the campaign and reach the broadest possible audience. In addition to conducting the EOI campaign, documenting and screening all responses, AEC also prepared an evaluation framework whereby the three most suitable properties for each region were shortlisted (based on predefined criteria) to expediate the process for AITC. Source: realcommercial.com.au

Client: Stadiums Queensland State: QLD Since 2020, AEC has been partnering with Stadiums Queensland (SQ) to conduct an economic impact assessment (EIA) for the nine venues operated by the organisation on an annual basis (2020 to 2023). AEC is currently undertaking the 2023 EIA which will be based on expenditure data captured via intercept surveys with patron. Participating stadiums include: The Cbus Stadium The Suncorp Stadium The Gabba The Queensland Country Bank Stadium The assessment used Input-Output (IO) modelling to assess the economic contribution delivered by the venues to the Queensland economy. To understand the magnitude of the contribution to the economy, the EIA was based on an aggregate of SQ activity, encompassing: Capital works and upgrades Operations Hosting event activity, and Patron spend activity. The EIA reported on the number of full time equivalent (FTE) jobs supported, as well as the wages and salaries paid (directly and through Type I and Type II flow-on activity) in Queensland as a result of SQ’s activities. AEC also reported on the output generated / supported for Queensland businesses and estimated Gross State Product (GSP) for the year (including direct and flow-on activity). Source: Shutterstock

Client: Health and Wellbeing Queensland State: QLD Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) is working to increase the accessibility, affordability, desirability and convenience of healthier food and drinks options for Queenslanders in out-of-home (OOH) food environments. To bridge the gap in light of minimal information on the demand for healthier food and drinks options in OOH environments HWQld commissioned a research study to engage with Queensland adults to gain in-depth insights into the values, attitudes, knowledge, behaviours and expectations of food and drink provision in OOH environments. The study engaged with two target audiences including Queensland adults who have child(ren) between the ages of 5 and 12 (Group 1) and those who do not have child(ren) within this age group (Group 2) via online survey methodology (via panel partners). The overarching objective of the study was to understand and demonstrate demand for healthier food and drink options in OOH environments to enable HWQld to identify opportunities and deliver programs in a way that is relevant and develop new programs that fill any gaps and ultimately inform the future direction of key HWQld programs that form part of key marketing messages. Source: Shutterstock

Client: Department of Education Queensland State: QLD AEC has just been awarded the contract to undertake the Integrated Communication Study on behalf of the QLD Department of Education. The Queensland Department of Education (the Department) has previously undertaken research where the overall objective was to improve employee retention, which closely correlates with employee satisfaction. This research revealed discontent with several areas of internal communications including systems, governance, and processes. The overarching purpose of this Study is to identify common pain points experienced by staff in their internal communications experience. The study will engage with Principals and deputy principals, heads of curriculum, heads of department, and all other leadership roles, school /classroom teachers, school business managers, all school-based non-teaching staff, regional directors and assistant regional directors, and regional and corporate office staff via online survey. The findings from this study will identify which stage(s) of the internal communications process require the most improvement and/or would be the most impactful areas to improve at the Department. Source: Shutterstock

Client: Southern Downs Regional Council State: QLD The Southern Downs has seen strong population growth in recent years. The region recorded a 44.0% increase in capital city to regional migration in the March 2021 quarter, the second largest growth in Australia. The strong growth indicates an appreciation for the lifestyle offered by the Southern Downs, it’s relaxed and beautiful public realm, and good access to services. The Southern Downs Residential Attraction Strategy, developed by AEC in collaboration with the Southern Downs Regional Council, aims to guide the region towards increased residential population over the next five years. The strategy seeks to attract people to the Southern Downs region by increasing economic growth and the liveability of towns and communities as well as increasing awareness of the region. In developing this strategy, AEC brought our intimate understanding of the region as well as our skills, experience, and expertise to deliver unparalleled outcomes for the Southern Downs. AEC undertook extensive data analysis to create an evidence-based understanding of the region. This was supplemented by extensive stakeholder engagement to develop an in-depth understanding of the region and the opportunities for residential and business attraction and retention. AEC brought these elements together to create a public facing strategy for residential attraction supported with a detailed action plan for Council.

Client: Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) Australiasia State: NSW Cruise ship visitors have been engaged across various Australian ports to understand the economic impact of the Cruise Shipping Industry on the Australian economy. These studies provide limited information on the behaviour of international cruise passengers pre and post cruise in Australian destinations. The most recent study into international cruise passenger demographics, pre and post cruise travel and stopover behavior and perceptions was commissioned in 2023 by Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) and Australian Cruise Association (ACA). International passengers aboard cruise ships arriving or departing from the Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) or the White Bay Cruise Terminal (WBCT) in Sydney (NSW) were engaged via intercept surveys. Over n=550 surveys were collected resulting in a margin of error of ±4.14%. Key insights into the number of nights spent in Australia, motivation(s) for visiting, key destinations visited and stopovers, pre and post cruise expenditure as well as visitor perceptions across various aspects provided Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) and Australian Cruise Association (ACA) with evidence-based understanding and information to support decision making and advocacy.

Client: Regional Development Australia (Central and Western Queensland) State: QLD The North and North West Queensland regions are the focus of considerable economic development planning by various levels of government. The Australian Government is currently undertaking a review of its Developing Northern Australia agenda and the Queensland Government is looking to accelerate the implementation of both its Energy and Jobs Plan and North West Economic Diversity Strategy. AEC have been engaged by Regional Development Australia Central and Western Queensland (RDACWQ) to develop a strategic regional plan for the entire region. In developing the plan, AEC have undertaken a detailed Economic Development Discussion Paper, which provides a data-driven overview of the regional economy, highlighting economic development challenges and opportunities. A comprehensive literature review was done, incorporating all previous regional economic planning to date. Extensive stakeholder engagement was carried out to ensure local perspectives and historical research are included and findings are practical and fit for local implementation. ​ The outcome of the RDA Strategic Regional Plan is an overarching regional plan, supported by sub-regional plans for the Gladstone, Rockhampton, Central Highlands (incl Woorabinda), Banana, Capricorn Coast (Livingstone) and Western Queensland regions.