Concerns have been expressed that the introduction of a national system of road user charging for heavy vehicles could adversely affect transport operators, consumers and producers in rural and remote areas of Australia.

• Road Transport Reforms–Implications for Rural and Remote Areas
  
  report_078.pdf
  (4.58 MB)

BTCE selected the Berrima and Mittagong bypasses as the first in a series of case studies which are examining the regional development effects of infrastructure investment, and assessing whether significant economic growth benefits are omitted from conventional benefit-cost analysis.

• The Effects on Small Towns of Being Bypassed by a Highway: A Case Study of Berrima and Mittagong
  
  wp_011.pdf
  (2.36 MB)

This research project was designed to explore the potential for economic synergies between the two regions and the role that transport might play in their development. The project was undertaken in conjunction with the Research and Development Agency of the Indonesian Ministry of Communications. This Report presents the results of the work of the Australian project team, focusing on northern Australian aspects.

• Transport Synergies Between Eastern Indonesia and Northern Australia
  
  report_097.pdf
  (1010.76 KB)

Transport models have been used for several decades now, both for research, and as an analytical tool to assist planners and decision-makers. As the complexity of traffic and environmental problems in our cities has increased, policy makers have come to depend on models to an even greater extent. The immense increase in available computing power over the last decade has abetted this dependence. Customised software has simplified even the most complex mathematics to such an extent that modelling is no longer the preserve of a select few 'rocket scientists'. If asked, however, many policy analysts and decision-makers would probably admit to a lack of understanding of the models on the results of which they rely. Billions of dollars in resources are expended annually in Australia despite a lack of full understanding of the basis on which decisions are made. To assist both researchers and decision-makers, Dr William (Weiguo) Lu has dissected the major models that have been used to analyse urban transport tasks. This Working Paper therefore represents something of a 'scene-setter' for further work. While a purely non-technical approach is not feasible, he has sought to provide an intuitive exposition of the basic concepts involved, relying on a minimum of mathematical expression.

• Urban Transport Models: A Review
  
  wp_039.pdf
  (1.59 MB)

This report presents the results of a Bureau of Transport Economics project on the regional impact of ports. It includes a general framework for undertaking port impact studies in Australia and a case study that applies the framework to the Port of Fremantle, Western Australia. By measuring both direct and flow-on effects, the case study estimated that the Port of Fremantle was responsible for 0.8% of all employment in Western Australia, with a value added contribution of 0.9% to Western Australia's Gross State Product.

• Regional Impact of Ports
  
  report_101.pdf
  (558.39 KB)

Natural disasters affect every State and Territory in Australia. Good information on the costs of natural disasters is required to assess the effectiveness of expenditure on disaster mitigation. This study focuses on national economic costs, using data from the Emergency Management Australia (EMA) database, over the period 1967 to 1999.

• Economic Costs of Natural Disasters in Australia
  
  report_103.pdf
  (2.06 MB)

This paper presents the results of a Bureau of Transport Economics study of the regional impact of the Port of Mackay located on the central coast of Queensland. The port is an important component of the transport chain for sugar and agriculture. By measuring both direct and flow-on effects, the study estimated that the port was responsible for 1.0% of all employment in the region, with a value added contribution of 0.9%.

• Regional Impact of the Port of Mackay
  
  wp_046.pdf
  (818.25 KB)

This report presents the economic impact of the Port of Gladstone on the Fitzroy region in Queensland. At the time of writing, Gladstone Port was the fourth largest in Australia. By measuring both direct and flow-on effects, the study estimated that the port was responsible for 2.3% of all employment in the region, with a value added contribution of 3.0%.

• Regional Impact of the Port of Gladstone
  
  wp_047.pdf
  (698.41 KB)

The agriculture-based Atherton Tablelands region of Far North Queensland experienced major change after the deregulation of the tobacco industry, and more recently, the dairy industry. The area was previously stable and relatively prosperous, but coping with continual change, unfamiliar market systems and the move to operating professional farm businesses, had caused some levels of distress. This working paper provides a social and economic overview of the region, an assessment of factors affecting the region and a brief discussion of economic development possibilities which might increase the economic resilience of the region.

• Atherton Tablelands Regional Analysis
  
  wp_043.pdf
  (1.17 MB)

Tamworth NSW experiences frequent flooding, especially in the industrial area of Taminda. The flood in November 2000 provided an opportunity to estimate the cost savings that would have occurred in Taminda if there had been a levee to protect the area. As part of a wider study by the Bureau of Transport Economics to investigate the benefits of flood mitigation, the effectiveness of the central business district (CBD) levee in preventing flood damage was also part of this study.

• Flood Damage in Tamworth: Costs of the November 2000 Flood
  
  wp_048.pdf
  (1.7 MB)