Background
In 2023, NineSquared completed five socio-economic assessments for the Queensland Department of Regional Manufacturing and Water (RDMW) which provided socio-economic analysis and data to inform the review of Water Plan areas across Queensland.
RDMW implements and periodically reviews water plans throughout the State. A key part of the review process requires the assessment of social and economic plan outcomes. These reports examined changes in the social, demographic, economic, and water demand and supply data relevant to each plan area. They also analysed the social and economic outcomes of the plan as well as the values, pressures and threats affecting these outcomes. The six plan areas analysed were Logan, Gold Coast, Condamine-Balonne, Border Rivers-Moonie, Moreton and Burnett. Two of these areas are part of the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia’s most important water catchment, which provides water to 2.3 million people, countless native habitats and thousands of farms.
Undertaking the socio-economic assessment
Each socio-economic assessment included a detailed review and analysis of the social and demographic profile of the water plan area. This included mapping the local government areas and SA2s of each area. Both historical and potential future water needs are heavily influenced by the population and population changes in the area, so drivers of growth in population were analysed, as well as the total estimated resident population of each sub-catchment in the plan area. Changes in the labour force were also presented, and trends in this were analysed. Additionally, other socio-demographic information was discussed where relevant, such as income and education, dwelling types and rents, and Socio-Economic Indexes For Australia (SEIFA) scores.
Each report also examined the economic profile of the plan area. This section assessed the available land use classification data for the plan area, comparing how and why it had changed between the two most recent datasets. Major industries of the plan area were also analysed, especially those that had impact on water demand such as agricultural production, fishing and aquaculture, the resources sector, and tourism and leisure. Overall employment was presented, focussing on the industries that employ the most people in the plan area, which informs how the local economy is changing over time.
Finally, each assessment conducted an evaluation of the socio-economic outcomes of the water plan. This section of each report was informed through workshops undertaken subject matter experts from RDMW, with a focus on the specific socio-economic considerations of this report in conjunction with broader water planning considerations. Each plan (and as thus, each report) had different socio-economic outcomes to analyse, and determine what risks there were to the outcomes, what evidence there was of its likelihood, consequence, and uncertainty, as well as a rating of the risk to the outcome, and showing what socio-economic indicators there are for current and potential emerging risks or hotspots.
In order to inform the consideration of new socio-economic outcomes where required, the report also discussed the key values, threats or opportunities associated with water policy and management in the plan area. These include looking at key values and user groups, such as urban potable and commercial water users, agricultural water users, and the cultural and economic values associated with Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders.
Our approach
NineSquared worked collaboratively with the RDMW project team to progress each of the socio-economic report within the required timeframes. This included regular and open dialogue about the progress of the analysis including identification of data limitations and alternative approaches to analysing the socio-economic impacts or activity on water resources.
We utilised our socio-economic datastore to provide a base level of data quickly and efficiently at the regional and sub-regional levels required by the Department which analyses water plan outcomes at a sub-catchment area which usually does not align with standard economic geography boundaries in Australia.
In developing each report, NineSquared conformed to standard pro-forma provided by the Department but sought to add value to the analysis beyond that outlined in the pro-forma through the use of more detailed mapping, detailed understanding of the water sector and an emphasis on developing the socio-economic baseline against which future water planning decisions could be made and risks assessed.
Outcomes
The outcomes of these socio-economic assessments have informed the reviews of three water plan areas and have acted as inputs into two Minister’s Performance Assessment Reports for water plan areas.
