Case study
Economic analysis of the Lower Fitzroy River Infrastructure Project
Synergies was engaged by Building Queensland to assist with the development of the Detailed Business Case for the Lower Fitzroy River Infrastructure Project. Synergies’ key task was completing an economic analysis of the proposed Rookwood Weir, which will be capable of supplying up to 76, 000 ML per annum for urban, industrial and agricultural use. Synergies also assisted with the preparation of several other chapters of the business case, including the base case, public interest ...
Case study
Assessing the growth potential of containerised freight at Port of Townsville
Synergies was engaged by Port of Townsville Limited (POTL) to assist with the development of a business case for its Channel Capacity Upgrade Project (CCUP), a $200 million project to widen existing navigational channels to allow larger vessels safe access to the port. Synergies conducted an assessment of the logistics supply chain to assess the economic benefits of the project in terms of Port of Townsville’s ability to both maintain existing trade and attract new ...
Case study
Valuing the social and economic benefits of urban renewal – Fortitude Valley, Qld
Inner urban redevelopment projects have great potential to deliver multiple benefits for the community. When done well, redevelopment can dramatically improve the amenity and ‘livability’ of an urban centre. In this study, Synergies was engaged by LaSalle Managed Investments to quantify the social and economic benefits of a proposed project to refurbish the Fortitude Valley Railway Station, just outside central Brisbane.
Case study
Economic and social contributions of Lihir gold mine
Lihir gold mine, located in the New Ireland Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG), is one of the world’s largest gold deposits. Production commenced in 1997 and it is estimated that there is another 31 years of gold reserves remaining at the site. Synergies was engaged by Newcrest, the mine’s owner and operator, to assess how the mine is contributing to the regional and national economies of Lihir and PNG. Both economic and social ...
Case study
Emu Swamp Dam – Agricultural and industrial water demand assessment
Synergies undertook an assessment of the agricultural and industrial water demand that could potentially be met by the proposed Emu Swamp Dam. The analysis was part of the Strategic Assessment of the project, the purpose of which was to inform the decision on whether a Preliminary Business Case was to be taken.
Case study
Health and safety benefits of electrical switch protection devices
Electrical safety switches are now commonplace in most residential premises, but under current regulatory requirements in Queensland, only power and lighting circuits need to have safety protection devices installed. The Office of Industrial Relations (OIR) engaged Synergies, in partnership with DBM Consultants, to assess whether the current regulations should be extended to require safety switches installed on all circuits, thereby eliminating the risk of accidental electrocution in the home. To answer this question, Synergies surveyed ...
Case study
Survey of strategic issues confronting the Australian rail industry
In 2016, Synergies was contracted by the Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation (ACRI) to undertake an inaugural survey of stakeholder perspectives about the challenges, opportunities, and future strategic directions for the rail industry. The survey was designed to assist in promoting dialogue within the industry and serve as a baseline against which to measure future trends in issues and priorities.
Case study
Providing early intervention to children with autism
Synergies was engaged by the AEIOU Foundation for Children with Autism to assess the impact of providing good practice Early Intervention (EI) to children with autism, focusing on those children with moderate to severe autism. The aim of the advice was to assess what level of funding is required for the delivery of good practice EI and whether that level is met by the funding made available for small group interventions by the National Disability ...
Case study
An economic pricing framework for land freight transport infrastructure
Synergies was engaged by Aurizon to prepare a response on behalf of the Freight on Rail Group (Aurizon, ARTC and Asciano) on the application of an economic pricing framework to land freight transport. The report examined alternative pricing approaches for road and rail freight services, having regard to a number of objectives and principles, and reviewed the economic issues associated with the current PAYGO approach that is used to price heavy vehicles. The report was ...
Case study
Cost benefit analysis of the redevelopment of the National Herbarium
Synergies was engaged by the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust to conduct an economic evaluation of the proposed relocation of the National Herbarium of New South Wales to a purpose-built facility in the Australian Botanic Garden at Mt Annan. The current location provides sub-optimal conditions and has reached capacity. Our cost benefit analysis of the proposed relocation evaluated the positive and negative economic impacts of the relocation.
Case study
The potential of microgrids to support economic development in remote communities
Advances in technology are fundamentally transforming the way in which energy services can be provided, and are allowing services to be provided more efficiently. Standalone power systems, for example, use a mix of different technologies to allow individual customers continuous energy supply without the need for grid connection. Microgrids use intelligent technologies to enable consumers to become ‘prosumers’ and actively generate and trade power on a controlled platform that ensures continuous energy supply to a ...
Case study
Economic impact evaluation of Royalties for Regions investments in education projects
Synergies was engaged by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to evaluate the economic impacts of Royalty for Regions program investments in the education sector. A whole-of-economy CGE model was used to examine the size and distribution of welfare impacts across nine regions in Western Australia.
Case study
Economic Analysis of Beyond Billabong Programs
Synergies Economic Consulting undertook a cost benefit analysis to assess the economic impact of programs delivered by Beyond Billabong, an organisation which works with highly disadvantaged young people. Beyond Billabong’s programs have been shown to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people who have experienced trauma and abuse. We assessed the economic benefits to the community of these programs which in turn, demonstrated that the value and efficiency of government funding could be maximised ...
Case study
Should WA’s gas retailers be obliged to maintain a supply contingency?
This report assessed the economic case for implementing a ‘gas contingency service obligation’ on gas retailers. At the time, the WA government was considering such a measure as a means of ensuring that retailers have the capacity to maintain supply to small-use customers in the event of a gas supply disruption caused by physical failure of a gas processing plant or the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP).
Case study
Social Benefit-Cost Analysis of a Queensland mining proposal
Synergies was engaged by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) to prepare a rapid Social Benefit-Cost Analysis (SBCA) to assess the overall impact of a proposed new coal mine in the Darling Downs region of southeast Queensland. Our role was to quantify, assess and consolidate the benefits and costs of the development in order for policymakers to consider whether the development should receive government approvals.