North Australia Research Group



Background:

The North Australia Research Group concept was especially developed in 2003 to provide a platform for bringing together high level multi-disciplinary teams to undertake research projects across northern Australia . A number of projects have been undertaken with details some of the projects and the teams given below.


Project:

Papua New Guinea Shipping Study 2010 – Major mining & economic development in Papua New Guinea represents an opportunity to further extend Cairns leading role in Northern Australia in the supply of goods and services northwards into Papua New Guinea, the Pacific, Papua Indonesia. Ports North have commissioned the North Australia Research Group comprised of Cummings Economics, Amstec Logistics Consultants, Blockey Consulting and the Robert Bird Group to carry out studies to develop a business case for new shipping services to Papua New Guinea and requisite infrastructure development at Cairns and other Ports North Seaports.


Project:

Outback Highway – Social Cultural & Economic Impact Study 2003 – carried out for the Outback Highway Development Council as part of the Commonwealth Government’s Sustainable Regions Program. The aim of the Outback Highway is to provide a third east-west transcontinental route across the middle of Australia to complement the existing southern (Nullabor) route and the northern (Flinders/Barkly, Katherine/Ord) route. It would involve upgrading currently unsealed sections of road, from Laverton in Western Australia to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) in the Northern Territory and the Plenty Highway from near Alice Springs to Boulia in Queensland.

Study Team :
NOTE: Cummings Economics have recently been engaged in upgrading this study and extending it to a benifit cost analysis of sealing the road. To access information about the progress of this project and further information about the Outback Highway , see website: www.outbackway.org.au.


Project:

Mt Beckford Irrigation Project Hughenden – Social & Economic Benefit Study 2004 – Flinders River Catchment Irrigation Development – Social & Economic Impact Study. These twin studies examine the social and economic impacts of the proposed Mt Beckford Irrigation Scheme on the Flinders River at Hughenden in detail and then go on to look at the social and economic impacts of irrigation development in the wider Flinders River catchment area, including also the O’Connell Ck Project at Richmond. Reports include an initial analysis of potential crops for the area and income that might be derived from sale of water rights. The study has been carried out for the Flinders Shire and the Central West Sub Committee of the Federal Government’s North Queensland Area Consultative Committee.

Study Team :

Project:

Kagara Ltd engaged North Australia Research Group to carry out a Social Impact Study for the proposed Mungana Gold Open Pit Development in 2009.

Study Team :