REGIONAL ECONOMICS
Previous projects
The Economic Benefits of Cultural Diversity
Investigators: Bruce Rasmussen, Peter Sheehan, Kim Sweeny and George Messinis
(VISES), Joanne Pyke (Victoria University) and Tony Pensabene (Elgin Economics)
Funded by: Department of Premier and Cabinet Victoria
Funding 2016: $97,250
Description: The primary research outcomes for the project are to
identify and present evidence of the material economic benefits that
cultural diversity brings to the state, to identify and present
evidence of the costs associated with poor or degraded social
cohesion to Victorian communities, and to develop a framework and
methodology for longitudinal monitoring, analysis and reporting.
The Economic Impact of City of Maribyrnong Festivals Program
Investigators: Bruce Rasmussen and Tony Pensabene (Elgin Economics)
Funded by: City of Maribyrnong
Funding 2015: $20,000
Description: An impact study report of expenditure generated by the
Festival City Program and a model for demonstrating economic impact
in subsequent years.
Review of the Australian Synchrotron: Impact in Terms of Costs
and Benefits
Investigators: Bruce Rasmussen and Alison Welsh (VISES) with
Tony Pensabene (Elgin Economics)
Funded by: Department of Industry, Canberra
Funding 2014: $45,342
Description: The Department commissioned a review to understand the
impact, in terms of costs and benefits, of the Australian
Synchrotron (the Synchrotron). In measuring the impact, the review
considered the direct costs of construction and operation; costs of
capital upgrades; impact of research undertaken; improved
productivity from application of research; employment and
development of highly skilled workers; collaboration with Australia
and internationally; technology transfer and commercialisation;
revenue derived from industry use including number of patents
derived; and direct economic benefits including tax and local area
benefits. It was primarily literature based research followed up by
discussions with Synchrotron staff, suppliers and users of the
facilities. The report documents the impressive gains by the
Synchrotron, not only as the operator of a key piece of scientific
infrastructure expertly serving the scientific community, but also
in developing its role more generally in the Australian innovation
system, through its enhancement and active support for the Monash
Technology Cluster.
Output: Review of the Australian Synchrotron: Impact in Terms of
Costs and Benefits, Report to Department of Industry
A Quantitative Analysis of Victoria’s Key Exporters and Export
Competitors
Investigators: Bruce Rasmussen, Alison Welsh, Neelam Maharaj and
Kathleen Hurley (CSES), and Jim Lang (TradeData International Pty
Ltd)
Funded by: Department of State Development, Business and Innovation (DSDBI)
Funding 2013: $50,000
Description: The objective of the project was to provide the
Department with a quantitative analysis of Victoria’s key exporters
and export competitors.
Outputs:
A final report describing the methodology, providing relevant
analysis, and a summary of main findings and supporting tables
A set of Excel spread sheets forming a database of the value of
Victoria’s top exports, its exporters and its competitors in
selected markets.
Analysis of Future Demand for Barristers
Chambers
Investigators: Bruce Rasmussen and Alison Welsh
Funded by: Barristers Chambers LTD (BLC)
Funding 2013: $15,000
Description: The objective of this report was to determine if there
is a basis on which the Barrister’s Chambers can better project
long-term demand to enable a more orderly development plan to be
chosen.
Output: Analysis of Future Demand for Barristers Chambers: Report to
BCL
Trends in Changing Business Location in 10 Interface LGAs
Investigators: Kathleen Hurley and Bruce Rasmussen
Funded by: SOCOM Consultants
Funding 2013: $10,000
Description: The objective of this study was to undertake an
analysis of the DBI/Worksafe data on business establishments which
maps the changes in the location of businesses in the ten interface
council LGAs over the period 2001 to 2011.
Output: Trends in Changing Business Location in 10 Interface LGAs:
Report to SOCOM
Forecasting Victorian Businesses by Employment and Locations
Investigators: Bruce Rasmussen, Kathleen Hurley and Alison Welsh
Funded by: Department of Business and Innovation (Vic)
Funding 2012: $151,236
Description: A project on the spatial analysis of business premises
using Worksafe data for 2000-2011 which highlighted trends in firm’s
business locations and informed policy on transport, infrastructure
and urban development. It also provided a forecast of industry
employment and location trends throughout regions of Victoria for
the next 10 years, by sectors and by regions.
Output: Forecasting Victorian Businesses by Employment and
Locations: Report to DBI
Emerging Trends in Global Services Trade
Investigators: Bruce Rasmussen, Kathleen Hurley and Alison Welsh
Funded by: Department of Business and Innovation (Vic)
Funding 2012: $85,209
Description: examines the latest available national and
international level services exports data to paint a picture of the
current state of Victoria’s exports of services, and Victoria and
Australia’s place in the global services export market.
Output: Emerging Trends in Global Services Trade: Report to DBI
Business Location in Victoria: A Decade of Change
Investigators: Kathleen Hurley, Bruce Rasmussen and Peter Sheehan
Funded by: Department of Business and Innovation (Vic)
Funding 2011-2012: $90,000
Description: A major research collaboration between CSES, the
Department of Business and Innovation (DBI) and WorkSafe Victoria
examining the spatial movements of business establishments across
Victoria over the last decade, using WorkSafe data. The analysis
focused on the industrial and locational composition of Melbourne’s
economy, the impact of economic change to Melbourne’s urban form and
the implications of this change.
Outputs: Business Location in Victoria: A Decade of Change: Industry
Report Series to DBI
Changing Location of Business Establishments in Victoria: Report to
DBI
Identifying Investment and Trade Opportunities for Victoria
with China
Investigators: Bruce Rasmussen, Alex English and Kathleen Hurley
(CSES); and Jim Lang (TradeData)
Funded by: Department of Business and Innovation (Vic)
Funding 2011-2012: $39,327
Description: This project provide 20 new trade and investment
opportunities for Victoria in China, in specific priority sectors,
as part of a new Victoria-China engagement strategy.
Output: Identifying Investment and Trade Opportunities for
Victoria with China: Report to DBI
Regional and Sectoral Dimensions of Victorian Manufacturing
Investigators: Bruce Rasmussen, Neelam Maharaj and Kathleen
Hurley
Funded by: Department of Business and Innovation (Vic)
Funding 2011: $88,000
Description: This project investigated a new policy framework
for Victorian Government manufacturing policies. One that moves away
from sectoral development policies to broader based programs
clustered around identified market failures. The report advocates
policies which increase the adaptability of manufacturing firms to
withstand adverse shocks and take advantage of new opportunities.
Output: Regional and Sectoral Dimensions of Victorian Manufacturing:
Report to DBI
Victoria and the Resources Boom
Investigators: Peter Sheehan and Bob Gregory
Funded by: Department of Treasury and Finance (Vic)
Funding 2011: $45,100
Description: Investigates the net stimulatory impact of the
resources boom and suggests it has come, or is coming, to an end.
But most of the factors that have driven that boom are unlikely to
continue. As a result Victoria needs to give serious consideration
to pursuing an economic growth path that is sustainable in a
long-term, high exchange rate regime.
Output: Victoria and the Resources Boom Report 1: Summary and
Implications for Victoria
Victoria and the Resources Boom Report 2: Analysis and Supporting
Documentation
Revised Latrobe Valley Adjustment Strategy
Investigator: Sally Weller
Funded by: Department of Planning and Regional Development (Vic)
Funding 2011: $59,000
Description: This consultancy updated and reproduced material
provided to the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance in the
CSES 2009 report “Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme: Adjustment
Strategy for the Latrobe Valley”. The report updated material to
take into account the new policy proposed by the Federal Government
and their implications for the Latrobe Valley. The report assisted
in strategy development and evidence base in developing structural
adjustment assistance of the Federal and Victorian Governments.
Updating Melbourne's West
Investigators: Bruce Rasmussen, Andrew Van Hulten, Neelam Maharaj,
with collaboration of Kathleen Hurley (DIIRD)
Funded by: Victorian Department of Industry, Innovation and Regional
Development (DIIRD), Department of Planning and Community
Development (DPCD), , Victoria University
Funding 2010: $44,000
Description: This report documents the continuing growth and
transition of the Western Region identified in the 2004 report by
the CSES ‘Investing in Melbourne’s West: A Region in Transition’ (by
P. Sheehan and J. Wiseman). It develops strategies that seek to
better integrate the Western Region into the knowledge economy.
Outputs:
Updating the West
Contact:
Bruce
Rasmussen, Director, VISES
Email: Bruce.Rasmussen@vu.edu.au
|