About Keston Economics Keston Economics, based in regional WA (Albany), is ideally suited to a number of the areas of economic consultancy, with extensive knowledge and expertise of regional development, stakeholder consultation and analysis, strategic planning, feasibility and business case development. Keston Economics has been operating for over sixteen years and undertakes regional development and innovation activities, both within Australia and overseas. Keston Economics works across a range of sectors (tourism development, infrastructure development and community initiatives) for the state government, local government authorities, community-based organisations and local business. Keston Economics’ project success is based on:

• An in-depth knowledge of regional and economic development priorities and needs (e.g. Keston has worked on growth plans and regional economic development strategies related to the Southern Investment Initiative). • Robust analysis. • Report writing, including recommendations and clearly articulated strategies and recommendations for implementation. • An understanding of economic factors, including the development of cost-benefit analyses for projects. • A thorough and robust needs assessments and feasibility studies, informing well-argued business cases. • Robust and targeted stakeholder analysis and consultation tools founded on robust social research principles.

Over recent years, Keston Economics’ directors and associates have been involved in a range of projects, with key developments summarised below.

Strategic Planning Capacity Regional development strategic planning and blueprinting: • A 2019 Strategic Economic Development Analysis for the Great Southern, on behalf of the GSDC; • Contribution to the development of the 2015 Great Southern Regional Blueprint, on behalf of the GSDC; • A 2012 Regional Economic Development Strategy for the Great Southern, on behalf of GSDC • Central Great Southern Economic Development Strategy, on behalf of the GSDC; • An export infrastructure blueprint for the Great Southern, on behalf of the GSDC; • A study into the factors influencing innovation in regional WA on behalf of the Department of Commerce; and • A strategic plan for the University of (UWA) Great Southern campus.

Strategic planning and facilitation: • Development of an operations plan and manager job description for an innovation hub in the Great Southern, on behalf of Design and Innovation in the Great Southern (DIGS) - now Fathom Co.; • Development of a corporate plan for South Coast Natural Resource Management, Inc.; • Development of a strategic plan for the GSDC; and • A strategic plan for the University of Western Australia (UWA) Great Southern campus.

Feasibility studies: • Addressing Homelessness in the Great Southern; • Specialist Disability and respite accommodation in the Great Southern; • South Coast Environment and Heritage Centre in Albany; • Gnowangerup Community and Training Centre; • An Early Childhood Hub in the ; • A Malting Plant development in the Great Southern; and • Various community and sport and recreation feasibility studies.

Funding Capacity and Track Record Business case developments for a range of community and commercial projects: • Business case and cost benefit analysis for Norman House youth transitional accommodation and supporting programmes, on behalf of Albany Youth Support Association and Advance Housing; • Business cases and/or cost-benefit analyses for the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, such as business case or cost-benefit analysis work on the John Forrest National Park, Tree Top Walk, Breaksea Island, William Bay and SW Mountain Bike Trail projects; • Business cases and/or cost-benefit analyses for various Local Government Authorities, including the (e.g. Motorsport Park, Middleton Beach Foreshore Enhancement, Visitor Centre Relocation, Centennial Park Sport and Recreation Facility Upgrade), (e.g. Dwellingup Gap Project), and Shire of Katanning (e.g. Community Childcare Centre, Regional Saleyards, All Ages Playground, Heritage Precinct); • Royalties for Regions business cases for a range of projects, including tourism development projects, Cheynes Cottage and Serpentine Road student accommodation, Great Southern Housing Initiative, seniors housing, regional wine trail, botanic gardens, aquaculture industry development; • Denmark Surf Life Saving Club Transformation Project; • Salinity engineering solutions in the Wheatbelt; • Livestock saleyards at Muchea on behalf of the WA Meat Industry Authority; • Sports and recreation initiatives in the City of Albany, Shire of Katanning, and Shire of Broomehill-Tambellup; and • On behalf of the GSDC, business cases for a range of projects, including developments at the Port of Albany and extension of the Bunbury to Albany Gas Pipeline.

Keston Economics success rate and contribution to regional economic development Keston Economics has a track record of successful fund raising from a variety of sources, including direct budget allocations from state government departments, funding schemes from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (CSRFF), Royalties for Regions (REDS, RGS & AAF), Lotterywest and Regional Development Australia (through RDAF, NSRF and BBRF).

Keston Economics’ success rate is well above the overall applicant success rate for each programme, with 76% of all Keston Economics’ business cases and funding applications (over 60 projects) having attracted funding over the last decade. This represents over $147 million in funding for over $232 million in infrastructure and community development initiatives throughout Western Australia, particularly in the Great Southern and South West regions.

Recent and Current Clients Client Project Type WA Department of Study on innovation in regional WA Commerce Study on research infrastructure for tropical science in the Kimberley region (through UWA) Great Southern Feasibility Studies Development Strategic Planning Commission Proposal Evaluations Development of a Regional Strategic Economic Development Analysis (2019) Development of a Regional Infrastructure Blueprint (2015) Development of a Regional Economic Development Strategy (2012) Development of a Regional Export Infrastructure Plan Development of concept briefs for Royalties for Regions projects Cost-benefit analyses for a range of projects Business cases and cost-benefit analyses for a range of projects, including: • Wine Trail tourism product • Regional Botanic Gardens tourism product • Wave energy • Aquaculture industry development • Student accommodation • Seniors housing Creative Albany Operations Plan for the DIGS (now Fathom Co.) Innovation Hub South Coast NRM Strategic commercialisation planning, project management planning, and corporate plan development South West Finalisation of the business case for the Margaret River Hub for Entertainment, Arts and Regional Development Tourism (HEART) project. Commission Collie revitalisation project. Department of Business case development for tourism projects: Biodiversity, • William Bay Conservation & • Breaksea Island Attractions WA Parks Foundation Feasibility study and business case for John Forrest National Park University of Western Strategic Planning Australia Business Plan Development European Commission Evaluation of R&D projects Project Technical Advisor on collaborative R&D projects Technology Strategy Evaluation of R&D projects Board, UK Monitoring Services for collaborative R&D projects City of Albany Needs Assessment and Feasibility Studies Business planning for the Albany Aquatic and Leisure Centre Management Plan for co-location of facilities Lower Great Southern proposal to host the Department of Fire and Emergency Services Rural Fire Division - Bushfire Centre of Excellence Study on the economic impact of the National Anzac Centre Business cases and cost-benefit analyses for a range of projects, including: • Albany Motorsport Park • Active Ageing – Long Live You • Middleton Beach Foreshore Enhancement • Artificial Surf Reef • Albany Tourism and Information Hub • Previous library and town hall developments/concepts • Centennial Park Sports and Recreation facility • Albany Waterfront Cultural, Heritage & Tourism Precinct Shire of Katanning Business Cases: • Katanning Regional Saleyards • Regional Entertainment Centre

• New Administration Building • Airport developments • Recreational and Leisure Centre upgrades • Seniors housing development • All Ages Playground Project Planning Activities associated with “SuperTowns” Growth Plan development Katanning Economic Development Strategy H + H Architects Feasibility study for addressing homelessness in the Great Southern Albany Youth Support Business case and cost benefit analysis for Norman House youth transitional accommodation. Association Advance Housing Business cases and cost benefit analyses for Cheynes Cottage and Serpentine Road Student Accommodation projects (40-beds). Community Living Feasibility studies for specialist disability accommodation Association, Albany Wheatbelt Catchment Business Case Alliance Funding Applications Albany Worklink Strategic and Business Planning South Coast NRM Inc. Commercialisation Planning Project Management Planning Corporate plan development Feasibility study for South Coast Environment and Heritage Centre WA Meat Industry Business Cases and Feasibility Studies Authority Katanning Community Development of a Feasibility Study and Business Plan for an Early Childhood Hub Childcare Centre Alzheimer’s WA Options Analysis Funding Applications Business cases: • Denmark Surf Life Saving Club • Morgan Richard Community Centre Upgrade • Town Centre revitalisation

Examples of Previous Projects Undertaken Title Previous Experience Regional Development of a Strategic Economic Development Analysis for the Great Southern (2019) Planning – at Working on behalf of the Great Southern Development Commission, Keston completed a Strategic industry and Economic Development Analysis for the Great Southern of WA. The Great Southern, in common community with regions across Australia, faces a number of key opportunities, challenges and threats over development the coming decade that require responses at all levels of Government, industry and the scale community. To help inform these responses, the analysis aims to help guide strategic investment by Government and the private sector and to improve planning. Economic development is about harnessing the natural, industry and community resources and opportunities to stimulate sustainable economic activity. Among other issues, the analysis considers: • Development of the regional economy. • Support of existing business and industry. • Facilitation of sustainable and innovative practices. • Creation of an environment conducive to business and industry development and attraction. • Building of partnerships, business networks and alliances. Referee: Bruce Manning, Chief Executive Officer, Great Southern Development Commission,

Pyrmont House, 110 Serpentine Road, Albany, WA 6330. Phone: (08) 9842 4888. Email: [email protected]

Provision of Analysis into Successful Innovation in Regional Western Australia (2012) On behalf of the Department of Commerce and in association with the Western Australian Technology and Industry Advisory Council (TIAC), Keston has been undertaking a project to explore the factors that influence the success of innovation in regional areas of WA in order to provide recommendations for new strategies to stimulate regional innovation and add value to the State. This work is important as it is widely recognised that innovation is a key driver of economic development. Through stakeholder interviews and associated surveys, the study collected information and evidence to: • Identify a wide range of examples of both successful and unsuccessful innovations originating from regional areas of WA, • Identify factors that contributed to the success of these innovations and/or barriers encountered that limited or prevented the success of their innovations, • Identify the key locations of regional innovators and the factors that lead innovators to choose those locations, • Identify the key factors that underpin the success of innovation in regional areas, • Identify areas of focus that offer the greatest opportunity to stimulate innovation and add value to the State.

Scoping Study for the Anzac Departure of the Convoys event for the City of Albany (2012) Keston completed a scoping study for the City of Albany to understand the capacity gaps, benefits and risks associated with hosting the Anzac Departure of the Convoys event in 2012. Specifically, the scope of works included: • Research into the experience from similarly sized events in other regional areas of Australia or elsewhere in order to provide an overall validation of the envelope of issues and associated costs to be expected. • Development of an overall taxonomy of issues/components to be expected to arise from the event, through a number of activities: o Discussions with organisations such as Venues West, Tourism WA etc. o Brainstorming with City of Albany staff and/or other stakeholders. o Further research and discussions with organisations with relevant experience. • Identification of City of Albany ‘capacity gaps’ relating to the issues/components identified. • Options for addressing the ‘capacity gaps’, including innovative models of service delivery through research and case study analysis. • Quantification of the costs for the options identified for addressing the ‘capacity gaps’. Modelling of these costs as a function of anticipated attendance and development of concise methods for communicating and representing these costs. • Identification of potential strategies for the City of Albany to secure long-term outcomes, such as permanent infrastructure, rather than temporary fixes. Referee: Anthony McEwan Manager, Asset Planning and Major Projects City of Albany, 102 North Road Yakamia, Albany 6330 Phone: (08) 9844 2204. Email: [email protected]

Strategic Projects Feasibility and Scoping Study for Addressing Homelessness in the Great Southern (2018) – concept Supported by the Great Southern Development Commission and driven by H+H Architects, Keston development and completed a scoping study to investigate the feasibility of developing crisis accommodation planning facilities to service the at-risk population in and around the Great Southern region, particularly in

Albany, Plantagenet, Denmark and Katanning, which have the highest proportions of homelessness of the eleven local government areas. To achieve this, comprehensive consultation was been undertaken with key stakeholders and consumers to determine both where the greatest need exists and what kind of facilities could be created to provide the most fundamental of human needs for the most vulnerable in our community - Shelter. The study has since been used as a supporting document for flow-on feasibility studies and business cases for community support organisations, such as the Albany Youth Support Association Norman House Transitional Accommodation project. Referee: Julie de Jong, Director, H+H Architects, 58 Serpentine Rd, Albany WA 6330. Phone: (08) 9842 5558. Email: [email protected] Operations Plan for the Design and Innovation in the Great Southern (DIGS) Hub (2018) On behalf of Creative Albany, Keston developed an operations plan for a hub for innovation in the Great Southern. The Design and Innovation in the Great Southern (DIGS) Hub is a network to support business development and innovation across the region and builds upon the 2015 report, Create Southern Great Southern, supporting the recommendation to develop a virtual and physical creative hub structure to build connections and gain maximum leverage from resources. Since implementing the operations plan, DIGS has been rebranded to Fathom Co. Strategic Plan for UWA, Albany (2011) Keston completed a Strategic Plan for the University of Western Australia’s operations in Albany. The strategic planning required stakeholder consultations, community consultations and background research to define the contextual and environmental scanning information that would underpin the development of the UWA Great Southern Campus Strategic Plan. The information was compiled by reference to the UWA Albany Strategic Planning Working Party and the UWA Steering Group, together with other stakeholders and desk-based research. Through the consultation process, it became very clear that the success of a regional campus, such as UWA Albany campus, relies on building education, research and community programs that reflect the strengths and needs of the region. These are different in several ways from the main UWA campus and needed to be recognised, both at the local level and by UWA as a whole. The information collated through the consultations was brought together in order to provide an overarching vision and mission. On the basis of the vision, including a detailed clarification of what is meant within it, a number of goals and strategic for UWA Albany were developed and now form the core of the Strategic Plan. Feasibility Study for a Boutique Malting Plant in the Great Southern (2010) On behalf of the GSDC, a Feasibility Study was undertaken on the potential for establishing a boutique malting facility in the Great Southern. The driver behind the commissioning of the study by the GSDC was the perception that there could be an attractive market for speciality malts within the growing boutique brewery and distillery sector in WA and Australia-wide, coupled with the fact that barley production in WA has shown a substantial increase and is now the State’s second most important grain crop. It was intended that the Feasibility Study would be made available to qualified private sector investors with the aim of helping them to assess the opportunity for a new industry development project in the Great Southern. Primary research was undertaken by means of stakeholder consultations and a brief market survey among boutique breweries and distilleries in Australia. Discussions, face to face, by ‘phone and by e-mail, were held with 20 stakeholders, ranging from potential customers and suppliers to agronomists and manufacturers of plant and equipment. A brief market survey was sent to 123 boutique breweries and distilleries across Australia and a surprisingly high response rate of 38%

was achieved, indicating that this sector is open to innovation and new ideas. Financial analyses were undertaken based on realistic input costs and malt sales prices. Ultimately, the outcome of the feasibility study was to conclude that such a project would not be feasible. The very high capital costs, low volume throughput and an insufficient price per tonne of malt to defray fixed cost structures render the development of a boutique malt plant in the Great Southern region, of between 80 and 1,000 tonnes, unviable. Referee: Bruce Manning Chief Executive Officer, Great Southern Development Commission, Pyrmont House, 110 Serpentine Road, Albany, WA 6330. Phone: (08) 9842 4888. Email: [email protected]

Business Case Business Case for the Norman House Transitional Accommodation (NHTA) project (2020) Preparation On behalf of Albany Youth Support Association and project partner Advance Housing, Keston completed a business case for a seven bed accommodation facility to assist person aged 15-25 at risk of homelessness whom are transitioning from crisis support and accommodation to student accommodation or conventional rentals. Located on the same site as the recently completed Cheynes Cottage student accommodation, in is intended that student residents will act as critical role models and mentors for NHTA residents’ transition into study and student accommodation themselves. The NHTA project builds upon the identifications and recommendations made in the Addressing Homelessness in the Great Southern feasibility study. Referee: Ricky Burgess CEO, Albany Youth Support Association 12 Young Street, Albany WA 6330 Phone: (08) 9842 2082. Email: [email protected] Business Plan and Business Case for the Albany Motorsport Park (2018) On behalf of the City of Albany, Keston completed a business plan and business case, including detailed cost benefit analysis and forward planning financial and viability models, for the development of the Albany Motorsport Park. Significant consultation and feasibility work undertaken by Keston, GHD and other consultants confirms a significant demand for motorsport and a suitable facility to fill the gap in motorsport infrastructure, particularly for motorcycle racing. The documents have been used to secure land for the facility and leverage state government funds for the project, and in the future will be used to attract remaining funding requirements. Referee: Anthony McEwan Manager, Asset Planning and Major Projects City of Albany, 102 North Road Yakamia, Albany 6330 Phone: (08) 9844 2204. Email: [email protected] Business Case and Project Plan for the Active Seniors - Long Live You Program (2018) On behalf of the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre, Keston completed a business case and project plan, including detailed activity programming. The project was awarded federal government funding through the Move It Aus Better Ageing Grant Program (SportAus). Throughout 2019 and into 2020, the program has employed dedicated personnel and developed a suite of activities to engage previously inactive seniors in active recreational pursuits. To date, the program has been a huge success with a number of important social outcomes. The Long Live You program builds on previously successful funding applications and programs for the Silver Sport Pilot Project. Referee:

Samantha Stevens Manager Recreation Services City of Albany, 102 North Road Yakamia, Albany 6330 Phone: (08) 6820 3450. Email: [email protected] Business Case for the Middleton Beach Foreshore Enhancement (2017) On behalf of the City of Albany, Keston completed a business case for $9 million redevelopment of the Middleton Beach Foreshore, modernising and beautifying the public realm and leveraging state government investment into a sea wall as part of the Landcorp Activity Centre and hotel site development. Investment into the foreshore public realm is expected to attract private investment into the area to complete the wider Activity Centre vision. The business case was successful in attracting substantial investment from the Building Better Regions Fund - Round 2. Business Case for the Albany Tourism and Information Hub (2014) Keston developed a comprehensive business case for a project to create an iconic building on Albany’s main street that co-locates the currently poorly located Albany Visitors Centre (AVC) with the existing Albany Public Library. The project aims to facilitate the creation of a state-of-the-art tourist information hub and showcase of regional food and wine to be better able to provide visitors with an enhanced experience during their travels and promote tourism in a region that is otherwise somewhat hindered by the ‘tyranny of distance’. The business case included a robust cost-benefit analysis. The business case was successful in attracting substantial investment from Regional Development Australia under the National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF), Round 1. Needs Assessment, Feasibility Study and Business Case for the Centennial Park Sports and Recreation Precinct in the City of Albany 2011) Keston has undertaken an in-depth analysis of the needs and impacts for a sports and recreation precinct in the City of Albany. This study undertook a range of stakeholder and community consultations and analysis (including comparative provision and demographic analysis) in order to establish the rationale for the investment in a multi-sports facility in the precinct. The work culminated in the development of a comprehensive business case for the project and associated cost-benefit analysis. The business case was successful in attracting substantial investment from state and federal funds (notably the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF)). Business Case and Funding Applications for Regional Sheep Saleyards in Katanning (2011) Keston worked with the Shire of Katanning to develop the business case for the re-development of the regional sheep saleyards. The Katanning saleyards is one of two major stock saleyards in Western Australia and the business case looked at the re-development of the yards to create a world-class facility. The project has involved extensive stakeholder and community consultation, together with economic modelling and cost-benefit analyses. On the basis of the business case developed, the state government has committed funds to the redevelopment of the saleyards and the Shire secured Federal funding under Round One of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF). This funding was secured in the face of stiff competition; over 550 applications were submitted but only 35 were awarded funding. The Katanning project was one of only four funded in Western Australia and the only one in the south west and received the sixth highest amount of funding from across Australia. Business case and feasibility study for a Regional Entertainment Centre in Katanning (2011/12) Keston completed a business case and feasibility study for the redevelopment of the Katanning Town Hall into a 380-seat Regional Entertainment Centre (REC). This included extensive consultations and liaison with a number of organisations and agencies. The business case also required economic modelling to understand the impacts on the region economy (cost-benefit analyses), and financial modelling to demonstrate viability. On the basis of the business case, funding has been secured to undertake a phased development of the REC.

Personnel

Dr Richard Ball Director, Keston Economics Managing Director, Keston Technologies

Qualifications: • MBA, Warwick Business School (with Distinction) • DPhil, Computational Chemistry, University of Oxford • MA, University of Oxford • BA (Hons) (First Class), Chemistry, University of Oxford • Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC)

Richard has had many years of experience in developing international business in high technology areas. His early career was spent with AEA Technology where he had a number of posts developing business in several areas – the food and drink industry, nuclear programmes, forensic science, materials and technical software. During his time with AEA Technology, he spent time living and working in North America developing business for materials software and services, before returning to the UK as Director of Marketing and Sales for AEA Technology’s nuclear services business, followed by a period of time in the Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions area.

In 2000, he left AEA Technology to join a small US technical software company, UES Software, Inc. as Vice President of Business Development. In this role, he was responsible for business development teams in the USA and Japan. In 2002, he was appointed the founding Chief Executive Officer of the National Metals Technology Centre (NAMTEC) in the UK. In this role, he successfully built the company and its services to deliver against a range of objectives, including inward investment into South Yorkshire, regional development and support for the metals industry. In 2004, Richard left NAMTEC to set up Keston Technologies in Australia and to manage other business interests in the technical software area. In 2020, Richard jointly established Keston Economics with Michael Keeler as a subsidiary of Keston Technologies to focus on Australian-based economic consultancy work.

Michael Keeler Director, Keston Economics Senior Consultant, Keston Technologies

Michael undertakes a range of strategic planning, business case development, grant consultancy, proposal development and research activities for Keston Economics’ clients. He began working for Keston Technologies in 2012, before establishing Keston Economics with Richard Ball in 2020, and has a range of key competencies, including:

• Over seven years of experience researching and writing strategic plans, feasibility studies, business cases and various grant applications with the Great Southern, South West, and regions. • Over seven years of experience working with clients throughout the European Union to develop proposals for European Commission Horizon 2020, and previously FP7, funding applications. • High level experience and expertise in developing robust economic and financial models to support funding applications, feasibility studies and/or business planning and strategy, including cost benefit analysis, forward planning projections and quantitative option analysis. • High level experience in quickly comprehending advanced or novel concepts and to successfully compile expert documents with in-depth research to support applications for funding. • High proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research. • High proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office tools.