Marsden Jacob Associates

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.

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 (The Role of Technology and Institutions in the Cost Recovery of Irrigation and Drainage Projects).

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 (Inquiry on Harvey Water Bulk Water Pricing - Related Papers). The ERA's final report can be found at (Inquiry on Harvey Water Bulk Water Pricing).

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.

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 (The cost-effectiveness of rainwater tanks in urban Australia).

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

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.

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.