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MJA News
Feb 2008
Nov 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
MJA office opened in Hay St, Perth
Feb 2008
MJA is pleased to announce the opening of our Perth office in Hay Street, giving MJA a consistent presence in Western Australia. John Williams is Perth’s office manager. See Contact Us for more details.
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Tim Fisher advises Penny Wong on Water
Feb 2008
Tim Fisher has been appointed Senior Advisor (Water) to the Minister for Water and Climate Change, Senator Penny Wong. Tim has thus left MJA for the appointment, and we wish him all the best for this next stage in his career.
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MJA welcomes Rozi Boyle to our Melbourne Office
Feb 2008
Rozi has recently joined MJA from her previous role as Manager of Urban Regulatory Policy in the Office of Water within DSE, Victoria. Rozi has considerable experience in the Victorian water sector, and a keen interest in sustainability policy. She has a First Honours in Plant ecology and an MBA from Monash University. Rozi has a strong earth sciences background coupled with formal training in finance and economic as well as policy experience with DSE, further strengthening our water sector business line.
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MJA to conduct feasibility study of piping water in Tasmania
Nov 2007
The Tasmanian Government has employed MJA to examine the feasibility of piping water to irrigators and towns in the northern Midlands. MJA has been appointed to complete a socio-economic study into the scheme. It would involve diverting water from the Poatina Power Station in to a pipeline for irrigators in the Macquarie catchment as far south as Tunbridge.
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MJA presents 'integrated assessment' methodology for climate change research at CSIRO Greenhouse 2007 conference
Nov 2007
At the recent Greenhouse 2007 conference in Sydney, Peter Kinrade of MJA presented an overview of work being undertaken by MJA, CSIRO, and the Western Port Greenhouse Alliance on the impacts of climate change in the Western Port region of Victoria.
Greenhouse 2007 is a major biannual conference, organised by the CSIRO, on the science and impacts of climate change in Australia.
The presentation focussed principally on the methodology being applied to the project. As an 'integrated assessment', this project is seeking to combine biophysical modelling of the impacts of climate change with socio-economic impact assessment, risk assessment and evaluation of response (adaptation) options. Stakeholder engagement is also an important component of the assessment framework.
The project will be completed in June 2008.
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Effect of Dam Safety Costs on Bulk Water Pricing
May 2007
The Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) of Western Australia has completed its inquiry into bulk water pricing for the south west dams. The ERA's final report makes recommendations on the level and structure of the Water Corporation's water storage charges to the South West Irrigation Cooperative (Harvey Water).
The Water Corporation’s program of dam safety upgrades, at around $150 million, is one of the largest elements of the total cost of this water. Marsden Jacob advised the ERA on the economics of the ANCOLD Guidelines for Dam Safety and on the necessity and efficiency of the program costs. This investigation is perhaps the first Australian example of detailed scrutiny of dam safety programs by the economic regulator.
The Marsden Jacob team comprised Dr John Marsden, Len McDonald (chair of the NSW Dam Committee), David Bowles (Utah State University), Richard Davidson (URS) and Rory Nathan (SKM).
The MJA reports Equity, Efficiency and Protection Against Tort Liability under the ANCOLD Guidelines and Dam Safety: Some Economic Regulatory Questions, Frameworks and Directions can be found on the ERA's website:
The ERA's final report can be found at:
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MJA paper published by World Bank
May 2007
In June 2006, we reported that MJA senior economist, Mark Nayar had presented a paper on cost recovery in irrigation districts, at a workshop held by the World Bank's Agricultural and Rural Development 'Water for Food' team.
The World Bank recently published the joint paper as part of its publication, 'The Role of Technology and Institutions in the Cost Recovery of Irrigation and Drainage Projects'. The MJA paper forms the second chapter of the publication and is titled 'Canal Automation and Cost Recovery - Australian Experience Using Rubicon Total Channel Control'.
The publication can now be found on the World Bank website:
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Dr Marsden invited to 'Water for Our Cities' Working Group
April 2007
Dr John Marsden, a Director at Marsden Jacob Associates, has been invited to be a member of the working group on 'Water for our Cities', appointed by the Prime Minister's Science Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC).
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MJA retained for Ord Stage II
April 2007
Following discussions between the Western Australian Treasurer and the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, the Ord Stage II Business Case will be reviewed and updated. Marsden Jacob have been retained for this purpose by the Government of Western Australia.
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MJA assists Busselton Water in bulk water supply agreement
April 2007
The Water Corporation of Western Australia has requested additional water supplies for the Dunsborough area from Busselton Water’s borefields. Marsden Jacob is assisting Busselton Water with regard to the terms and conditions of the bulk water supply agreement, in this open book negotiation with the Water Corporation.
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Cost-effectiveness of rainwater tanks in urban Australia
April 2007
The National Water Commission commissioned MJA to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of domestic rainwater tanks in urban Australia, assisted by discussion with industry, researchers and State Government agencies.
The findings confirm the very wide variation in the cost of water from rainwater tanks and that, except in favourable circumstances, the costs of rainwater tank water are typically greater than the costs of water from major alternative sources available to public supply.
This major and comprehensive report has now been released by the NWC, and can be found on the NWC website:
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Economics of rainwater tanks and alternative water supply options
April 2007
MJA has recently completed a study into the economics of rainwater tanks, which compared the levelised cost of rainwater tank water with other water sources, explored externalities and looked at other potential impacts.
While rainwater tanks do not provide the lowest cost water in South East Queensland and Sydney, the report finds that they can be a competitive-cost water source in some cases and should be considered in long term water resource planning along with all potential water sources.
The study was undertaken for the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Nature Conservation Council (NSW), and Environment Victoria. The study invites a thorough analysis of the actual potential for rainwater tanks to provide cost-effective water in the Australian context.
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Gambling Licences Review in Victoria
April 2007
MJA has been engaged by the Department of Justice in Victoria to assist in providing information that will assist the Gambling Licences Review Steering Committee in its considerations of the post-2012 licence and funding arrangements. In particular, MJA has been commissioned to do three studies:
- Analysis of Gambling Expenditure in Victoria - This project will provide a comprehensive and in-depth statistical analysis of gambling expenditure in Victoria that is focused on the trends and patterns of gaming machine, wagering and club keno expenditure
- Responsible Gambling and Regulatory Frameworks - This project will consider the issue of responsible gambling regulatory frameworks including trends in the responsible gambling regulation in a number of Australian and overseas jurisdictions
- Economics of Technological Aspects of Gaming Machine Supply - This project will involve an economic consideration of the current approaches and trends in relevant gaming machine technology and systems
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Broadband adoption and alternative strategies for Australia
March 2007
In December 2006, Marsden Jacob Associates delivered the findings of its report on broadband adoption and alternative strategies for Australia. The report, commissioned by the Competitive Carriers Coalition, contributes to the current debate about broadband in Australia.
Jasper Mikkelsen, head of Marsden Jacob Associates' telecommunications practice, recently presented the report at the Telecommunications Society of Australia's (TSA) March Lunchtime Lecture. His talk highlighted overseas comparisons and experience, summarised access network technologies, and raised policy alternatives for Australia.
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Economic valuation of Gnangara Mound groundwater completed
February 2007
MJA has recently completed its updated analysis of the economic value of the Gnangara Mound groundwater in Western Australia, for the Department of Water (WA).
The expanded study is now completed, including a discussion on water use by pine plantations and native banksias, which also impact on groundwater levels across the Mound.
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National Water Initiative Metering Implementation - Information Request
February 2007
Marsden Jacob Associates has been appointed, under the Federal Government's National Water Initiative (NWI), to develop a plan to assist with implementing new water meter standards across all jurisdictions in Australia.
The early phase of MJA's work includes an Information Request to a range of stakeholders. During February, MJA held a series of Explanatory Sessions for those participating in the Information Request. The Powerpoint presentation used in the Explanatory Sessions can be downloaded below.
Please note that MJA have requested responses to the Information Request by COB Friday 16 February.
Download the presentation from the Explanatory Sessions, as a PDF or Powerpoint file:
- Presentation - National Water Initiative (NWI) Metering Implementation Information Request
 PDF: 0.45 Mb / 54 pages OR
 PPS: 3.15 Mb / 54 slides
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