Sustainable building economics – media clarification

Written by peter@uwcs.com.au

November 25, 2015

OpexGraphPublication by Peter Coombes, Michael Smit and Garth MacDonald on ” A case study: resolving boundary conditions in economic analysis of distributed solutions for water cycle management” – media clarification

We pleased at the level of interest in the report about water servicing costs, sustainable buildings policy and rainwater harvesting. The newspaper article in the Sunshine Coast Daily on 23 November 2015 has added two different elements of the report, the whole of society benefit and the water utility profits, to derive a figure of $7.3 billion. This figure was subsequently quoted by the ABC Sunshine Coast Radio and by the Australian Water Association and is not correct. The whole of community benefit is actually $3.5 billion between now and 2056, the increased profitability of water utilities of $3.8 billion is a different macroeconomic benefit that cannot be added to the whole of society benefit. We thank the Sunshine Coast Daily and the ABC Sunshine Coast for supporting this important discussion.

Coombes, P J et al Resolving Boundary Conditions in Economic Analysis of Distributed Solutions for Water Cycle Management – WSUD ISBN 978-1-922107-67-1

About
Dr Peter Coombes

Dr Coombes has spent more than 30 years dedicated to the development of systems understanding of the urban, rural and natural water cycles with a view to finding optimum solutions for the sustainable use of ecosystem services, provision of infrastructure and urban planning.

Connect with Peter

Related Articles

An Interesting Year for a Systems Scientist

An Interesting Year for a Systems Scientist

An interesting year for a systems scientist
It has been an interesting and productive year that included fascinating applied science and policy projects, research activity and contributions legal, economic and planning domains.

Is zero afflux the question or answer to better flooding outcomes?

Is zero afflux the question or answer to better flooding outcomes?

Presentation by Peter J Coombes and Andrew Allan at HWRS 2022: Is zero afflux the real challenge or solution for better flood management? It is vitally important to establish science and legally based rules for fair administration of the objectives and exploration of options that respond to flood risks. Otherwise, there will be a substantial administrative burden for marginal benefit. Our professionals and agencies need to be prepared for a different and challenging future, and our methods need to be fit for purpose from a whole of society perspective.

c