Rural and Regional Economies

The vision of the Rural and Regional Economies research cluster is to improve analysis and decisions around resource and sustainability issues in rural and regional areas using economic frameworks.

A key focus is to apply economic analysis to primary and resource sectors in northern Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef region, to improve decision-making about development and sustainability.

This research cluster focuses on the intersection between resource activity and regional development and works to generate new information and understanding about developing and managing resources for the best regional outcomes, the need to protect natural resources from development pressures, and the importance of human capital and entrepreneurial thinking in regional communities, business and industries.

Key areas of research and activities include:

• Valuing environmental assets and improvements
• Economics of water quality improvements
• Agricultural economics
• Valuing recreation
• Benefit transfer
• Regional development
• Economic and social impact assessment
• Environmental monitoring and report cards
• Great Barrier Reef

Key capabilities include:

• Cost-benefit analysis
• Bioeconomic modelling
• Nonmarket valuation
• Policy assessment