An employee-owned urban and public policy consultancy with high standards of accountability and transparency, we play a critical role as independent and trusted advisors to the governments and organisations that shape Australia’s cities and regions. Our robust, evidence-based insights help government, business and community leaders understand how places and communities function, assess what projects and programs work, and plan future places and precincts.
How we help
For more than a decade, SGS has worked with state and local government, peak bodies, corporations and member-owned businesses to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate. Our expertise includes integrating climate change adaptation within government, adaptation planning, vulnerability assessments, risk assessments, funding and governance arrangements and policy development. Many of our climate-related projects involve working collaboratively with other specialist consultants and consulting with local communities.
Our services
- Assessing the cost of risk with future climate change impacts
- Documenting the benefits of developing and occupying coastal hazard areas and identifying where these exceed the costs of risk
- Identifying the effects of climate change on industry and infrastructure
- Identifying and evaluating adaptation options for specific locations
- Developing communication strategies and public participation processes to communicate impacts and develop broadly supported responses
- Developing governance frameworks to support longer-term decision making.
Select projects
Analysis of the Hunter Valley flood mitigation scheme
Water Research Laboratory
SGS is currently working with the Water Research Laboratory to evaluate the economic, social and environmental benefits and costs of the current Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme. The review includes options and recommendations for the ongoing management of the Scheme to maintain the flood mitigation function as fit for purpose, considering the potential impacts of climate change. This work will help inform a broader review of the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme being undertaken by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.
This project includes significant community and stakeholder engagement, particularly with the landholders who have scheme assets on their land. Engagement methods include a survey (both online and hard copy), stakeholder workshops and community meetings.
Review of Victorian planning and building systems
Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning (DELWP)
SGS worked with DELWP to review the land use planning and building systems in Victoria and identify how to better manage natural disasters - related to climate change - within these systems. The objectives of the review:
- Provide a substantiated assessment of the current capability of the Victorian land-use planning and building systems to adequately address climate change risk.
- Build on and learn from work undertaken or occurring in this space within the Victorian land-use planning and building system, including case study insights from local council and regional/state planning practitioners.
- Consider how best to integrate the most recent applicable climate science and modelling data, noting planners are not necessarily subject matter experts in this area.
- Learn from best practice in other jurisdictions and Victoria in planning for natural hazard risk in the context of climate change.
- Develop comprehensive recommendations for practical and affordable actions that improve the capability of Victoria’s land-use planning and building systems to manage natural hazard risk in the context of climate change.
Victoria's alpine resorts vulnerability assessment
Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning (DELWP)
SGS, in collaboration with our project partners, undertook the Vulnerability Assessment (Social and Economic) for Victoria's alpine resorts. The project assessed the vulnerabilities of the six Victorian alpine resorts on Crown land: Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt Buller, Mt Stirling, Mt Baw Baw and Lake Mountain. The project explored:
- The social, economic, institutional and technical vulnerabilities for the Victorian alpine resorts sector
- The skills and capacities available within the Victorian alpine resorts sector, including its local industries and communities, to respond to climate change impacts.
Mapping where natural perils impact on economic growth and communities
IAG Limted
Working with IAG, SGS examined the population data and economic activity of all Local Government Areas (LGA) in Australia and compared it with natural peril risk levels provided by the Insurance Council of Australia and IAG. The aim of this analysis was to highlight locations in Australia that are at the greatest risk of various natural perils and how this risk intersects with economic production and local capacity to mitigate or respond to disasters.
Economic resilience, together with high levels of social capital, has been found to translate to greater resilience to natural disasters. In some places, the communities at risk may not have the economic resources required to independently prepare (e.g. pay for protective infrastructure) and recover from natural disasters. These communities may not have the economic resources to make investments to mitigate against the impact of natural perils and may lack the economic resources to recover from natural disasters. Hence the economic burden will fall onto government. As such, the cost of natural disasters has become a growing, unfunded liability for government.
Business case for flood mitigation of industrial lands in Murwillumbah
NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet for Tweed Shire Council
Following severe flooding in March and April 2017 in Murwillumbah in Northern NSW, Tweed Shire Council realised that the higher flood risks expected as a result of climate change rendered an existing industrial area non-viable over the long term. It proposed a land swap plan, in which the Council would swap the most flood prone industrial land for newly released industrial land on higher ground, leaving the flood prone land for flood mitigation.
SGS was engaged by the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet to complete a Business case for the proposed plan. SGS costed the higher risk of flood damage based on recent flood mapping studies and the actual damage costs of the 2017 floods, and compared these to the cost of the land swap and the cost savings from the reduction in future flood risk, taking into account the importance of the businesses operating on affected industrial lands to the local economy. Our analysis found that the reduction in costs of future flooding from the land swap justified the upfront costs.
This report was part of a grant application to support the industrial land swap. The grant application was successful and Tweed Shire Council received funding for the land swap and flood mitigation.
Tasmanian coastal adaptation pathways - pilot project and stages 1, 2 & 3
Pilot project: Local Government Association Tasmania in association with Clarence City Council
Clarence Council has a number of coastal communities that are affected or at risk from coastal erosion and flooding. SGS identified four adaptation scenarios with indicative costs for the future of this area. These scenarios were explored with the local community. The preferred option was then analysed in more detail to determine unforeseen issues, costs or impacts. This project is publicly recognised as one of the leading adaptation practice projects by the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility.
Stage 1: Local Government Association Tasmania in association with Clarence City Council, City of Kingborough, Break O'Day and Latrobe Councils
SGS assisted the Local Government Association of Tasmania in association with the Climate Change Office and the Tasmanian Planning Commission to support four local governments, Clarence City Council, the City of Kingborough, Break O'Day and Latrobe to progress through a coastal climate change adaptation process to effectively manage risks expected from climate change, and specifically sea level rise in coastal communities. The work progressed the communities (Lauderdale, Kingston Beach, St Helens and Port Sorell) in their own planning and also along the process of a defined, 15 step adaptation pathway. The proposed work tied in closely with further development of the State Government adaptation planning framework.
Stage 2: Tasmanian Climate Change Office in association with Central Coast, Waratah-Wynyard and West Tamar Councils
SGS assisted The Tasmanian Climate Change Office (TCCO) and three local governments to progress through a coastal climate change adaptation process to effectively manage risks expected from climate change, and specifically sea level rise in coastal communities. The work progressed the communities (Kelso, Somerset and Turners Beach) in their own planning and also along the process of a defined, 15 step adaptation process. The extension project followed the initial TCAP project. The project also considered new state-wide coastal data on potential erosion susceptibility due to sea level rise.
Stage 3: Tasmanian Climate Change Office in association with Hobart City and Huon Valley Council
SGS was further engaged by the TCCO to assess the coastal climate vulnerability of the coastal areas in the affluent suburb of Sandy Bay (Hobart) and the regional town of Garden Island Creek (Huon Valley). SGS developed adaptation pathways consisting of complementary and mutually reinforcing options and undertook a cost benefit analysis to identify the optimal adaptation options. SGS engaged with councils’ Elected Members and with the resident communities to explore preferred adaptation pathways, decision making frameworks and possible means of funding and governance.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of climate change business cases
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH)
SGS analysed the cost-effectiveness of two business cases for the OEH.
Climate change capacity building business case: SGS analysed the cost-effectiveness of different strategies to increase awareness of climate change risks in industry sectors and local governments through organisational capacity building. A set of capacity building activities were defined to establish the proposed program. Delivery options comprised direct delivery to local councils by OEH, outsourced delivery by contractors and consultants, and partnerships with Joint Regional Organisations. The relative efficiencies of each option were analysed in detail, included a comprehensive literature review.
Climate change research funding and support business case: SGS analysed the cost-effectiveness of different options for the delivery of detailed climate change modelling data for NSW, industry specific climate change data, and hazard mapping across NSW. Specifically, this project evaluated and compared the likely costs associated with data development within government and outsourcing these projects. This project involved an extensive literature review and consultation with the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research (ACECRC) to identify different delivery models and likely costs and benefits associated with these modelling approaches.
Our expert team
Ellen Witte, Principal & Partner
Bachelor Social Science (Geography), Master of International Economics and Geography
Ellen has extensive experience undertaking social, environmental and economic impact assessments and financial feasibility studies. She leads climate change adaptation and mitigation services at SGS.
Ellen has skills in strategic policy advice and governance, including strategic planning, business case development and funding arrangements. She is also highly skilled in strategic communication, workshop facilitation and consultation.
Prior to joining SGS, Ellen worked as a consultant in the Netherlands where she gained experience in climate change adaptation, health care economics, environmental economics and knowledge economy.
More recently, Ellen was the project director on the Climate Change Vulnerability study for the Victorian Alpine Resorts and was extensively involved in the Tasmanian Climate Adaptation Pathways projects - which assisted communities to effectively manage expected climate change risks. She wrote and presented two papers on funding and governance models of coastal adaptation planning at the local level.
Select projects
- Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme cost benefit analysis of management options in light of climate change, Office of Environment and Heritage NSW
- Review of planning and building systems for climate change in Victoria, DELWP
- Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment of the Victorian Alpine Resorts (DELWP) which included an adaptation pathways approach for alpine resorts
- Cockburn Sound Coastal Vulnerability Values and Risk Assessment Study WA as a sub consultant prepared the total value analysis of coastal assets and cost benefit analysis of adaptation pathways
- The first Tasmanian Coastal Adaptation Pathways (TCAP) Project for LGAT and the Tasmanian Climate Change Office, working with Break O’Day, Clarence City, Kingborough and Latrobe Councils. All three TCAP projects involve significant community and stakeholder engagement
- Coastal Hazard Adaptation Communication Guidelines for LGAQ
- Paper on funding and governance arrangements for adaptation for Clarence City Council.
Contact Ellen
T:+61 4 2137 2940 E:EWitte@sgsep.com.au
Dr Marcia Keegan, Senior Associate
Bachelor of Economics, Bachelor of Laws, PhD (Economics)
Marcia is an economist with more than 15 years' experience across the private, public and academic sectors.
Marcia has specialist expertise in project evaluation, including cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis, business cases, financial analysis, regulation impact assessment, regional economic impact assessment and micro-simulation modelling. Throughout her career, she mastered a wide range of economic methods and expertise in modelling, projections, data analysis and policy analysis and managed a range of projects.
Select projects
- Tweed Shire Council Industrial Land Flood Mitigation Business Case: SGS was commissioned by the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet to complete a CBA and Business case for a proposed industrial land swap as a flood mitigation measure. The report outlined the case for action, considerations of potential actions and recommended actions.
- Goulburn Performing Arts Centre: Undertook a series of business cases, including cost benefit analysis and discounted cash flow analysis, for a new performing arts centre in Goulburn to attract local patrons and visitors from around NSW.
- Peer review of Wollongong smart parking business case: Provided guidance on valuation of benefits, including identifying appropriate benefits, using correct discounting methods and avoidance of double counting, for a business base case evaluating a smart parking model for the Wollongong CBD.
- Land and Housing Corporation Asset Strategy: Developed a financial model to assess the optimal strategy for redeveloping, renovating and selling Land and Housing Corporation social housing dwellings as part of a major business case.
- Financial risk assessment of Ellerton Drive Extension: Prepared a financial model to estimate the risks of lower than expected land sales in new suburban developments on Queanbeyan City Council’s road financing strategy.
Contact Marcia
T:+61 2 6147 2903 E:Keegan@sgsep.com.au
Tara Callinan, Associate
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Environment): Indigenous Specialisation and IAP2 Australasia Certificate in Engagement
Tara is a social scientist and environmental practitioner specialising in stakeholder and community engagement. Tara is interested in how society interacts with the Australian environment and is passionate about understanding and facilitating the evolution of Australia’s arts and cultural landscape.
Tara has over seven years’ experience advising all tiers of government and private sector clients on environmental policy and planning, climate change adaptation, strategic planning and social and cultural infrastructure assessments.
Tara is a skilled project manager, with experience in managing both small and large complex projects with multiple sub consultants.
Tara has undertaken stakeholder and community engagement with a variety of stakeholder groups including the local community, retail traders, industry groupings such as music professionals, creative workers, community transport and housing providers, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members.
Tara has contributed to a number of projects in the areas of climate change adaptation and scenario planning, including all three phases of the Tasmanian Climate Change Adaptation Planning projects.
Select projects
- DELWP: Alpine Resorts Vulnerability Assessment (Social and Economic).
- NSW OEH: Cost benefit assessment of climate change impacts Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme.
- Tweed Shire Council: Industrial Land Flood Mitigation Business Case
- Strategic plans for Hobart City Council, Launceston City Council and George Town Council Strategic Plan
- Tasmanian Climate Change Office: The first Tasmanian Coastal Adaptation Pathways (TCAP) Project, for LGAT and the Tasmanian Climate Change Office, working with Break O’Day, Clarence City, Kingborough and Latrobe Councils. All three TCAP projects involve significant community and stakeholder engagement (and yes: showing lines of maps)
- TCAP Extension Project working with Central Coast, Waratah-Wynyard and West Tamar Councils
- TCAP Stage 3 working with Hobart City and Huon Valley Councils
- Local Government Association of Queensland Coastal Hazard Adaptation Communication Guidelines for LGAQ
Contact Tara
T:+61 3 8616 0331 E:TCallinan@sgsep.com.au
Thomas Walker, Associate
Bachelor of Geography and Environmental Studies, Bachelor of Economics, Professional Honours in Environmental Management.
Thomas is an economist and geographer specialising in economic and social analysis which includes community profiles, cost-benefit and financial feasibility analysis, economic impact evaluations, business case development, policy reviews, GIS mapping and climate change studies.
Thomas has a strong focus and passion for building resilient communities in the face of a range of economic, social and environmental pressures. Thomas is also familiar with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and assessing regional performance against them.
Thomas has considered responses to range of issues and trends including developing regional economies undergoing structural change, growing sustainable tourist destinations, adapting to and building resilience against climate change, and shifting demographic, commercial and industrial trends. He has performed analysis and research to support the development of policy and strategic documents, community infrastructure, housing, commercial and public tourist infrastructure, and the provision of open space.
Select projects
- NSW OEH: Cost benefit assessment of climate change impacts Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme.
- DELW: Review of planning systems and building codes regarding climate change and the development of a pilot cost-benefit analysis to quantify the benefits of government action.
- DELWP: Alpine Resorts Vulnerability Assessment (Social and Economic).
Contact Thomas
T:+61 3 8616 0331 E:TWalker@sgsep.com.au
Select insights
Our team regularly publish independent insights and self-funded research to inform the public conversation on important policy issues and opportunities. Select insights below.
SGS also publishes policy briefings and papers through LGiU Australia -- a non-profit local government think tank and membership organisation launched in 2020 in partnership with LGiU. Click the button below to explore local and international content.
Media and events
We bring an informed and evidence-led view to industry events, conferences and the media. Our team's insights on climate change mitigation and adaptation have been featured in The Financial Review, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and SBS Radio. Three examples are below.