Overview
This project aims to address critical knowledge gaps in the valuation of Integrated Water Management (IWM) benefits particularly in metropolitan Melbourne. South East Water (SEW), in collaboration with WaterRA, is leading this initiative to generate updated, locally relevant economic data.
The project will focus on quantifying both market and non-market values associated with IWM and how these vary across different development types and urban densities. Values quantified include: financial benefit during water restrictions, uplift in property values, and willingness to pay (WTP) for alternative water sources and improved urban amenity. The focus of this project is to collect primary data to help inform business cases, facilitate investment decisions, inform pricing submissions to the Essential Services Commission (ESC) and provide data that can ultimately be used to update values within the Social and Economic Values Tool (SEVT).
Key activities include:
- Comparison of house prices in areas with and without IWM
- Non-market values from IWM held by users, community and environment in both infill and brown/greenfield developments.
- Market values from IWM held by users, community and environment in both infill and brown/greenfield developments.
Longer term outcomes of the research include:
- Enhance understanding and ability to quantify economic value of Integrated Water Management in urban, high density, growth settings in Melbourne.
- Enable water utilities to make evidence-based investment decisions on IWM.
WaterRA contact: Emma Yuen
Budget estimate: Seeking proposals with a project budget of approximately $50-54k (excl. GST)
Closing date: 9am AEST 24th April 2026