Our Approach - Socioeconomic Net Outcome Model

Our team has developed a unique approach to socioeconomic assessments where we develop our own custom case studies or utilize existing case studies as primary sources of context or evidence for assessing project effects. We have developed five distinct styles of case studies to enhance understanding, conduct evidence-based analysis, and drive more informed decision-making. 

Context case studies examine key elements of a project's development to determine if critical information exists that may affect how the project is developed or what to consider for future socioeconomic impact assessments. Examples include:

• Basin Development - examining how the Queensland Bowen Basin was developed and its effects on key communities for consideration in the development of the Galilee Basin
• Changes in Industry - examining the evolution of agriculture and mining in the Capella area of Queensland

Effects case studies examine similar projects or areas where known or likely effects have already occurred. This provides valuable evidence that the team is aware of the project's effects, why effects will occur or can be avoided, how they will be managed, and any reductive (negative effects) or enhancement (positive effects) measures are to be employed. Examples include:

• FIFO Lessons Learned - examining lessons learned from fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) operations in Canada, Australia, and globally
• Existing Operations Case Study - examining the actual effects experienced and key take-aways from interviews with staff at existing operations or recently developed projects

Comparator case studies look at analogous communities, regions, or other locales to identify areas with sufficiently similar characteristics but lacking in the changes from project effects to track generic or natural changes. This is particularly important when introducing a completely new industry to an area (i.e., greenfield), because it allows for non-project changes outside the area to be identified and thus separated from project-induced changes in the project area. This is an extremely useful tool when tracking project or cumulative effects, as well as management, mitigation, and monitoring of effects over time. Comparator case studies can also examine other industries to determine lessons learned, overlap, or dual use. Examples include:

• Neighbouring property monitoring (e.g., productivity, yields, sales)
• Analogous community monitoring (e.g., demographic, community dynamics, economic changes)
• Analogous region tracking (e.g., demographic, economic changes)

Opportunity case studies examine potential opportunities for the project or proponent outside the effects assessment parameters to enhance the project in pursuit of net positive outcomes, where possible. Examples of opportunity case studies are:

• Successful Indigenous Businesses - examining key characteristics of highly successful Indigenous Economic Development Corporations (EDCs) and businesses, and key lessons learned
• Dual Land Use - examining co-existence between mining and agriculture on mining leases

Future decision case studies look at key project aspects in more detail to develop potential scenarios to better inform decision-makers. Examples include:

• Workforce Sourcing Scenarios - examining what various proportions of workforce sourcing would look like across several locals
• Accommodation Model Analysis - examining past accommodation use outcomes (e.g., vacancy rates, costs) against alternative models to accommodate transitory workforces across various project phase.