News

Report commissioned by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and carried out by Economists at Large shows that, in 2008, more than 13 million people took part in whale watching around the world, generating US$2.1 billion in tourism expenditure.

A report commissioned by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and undertaken by Economists at Large over the past year is nearing completion, and will be the most comprehensive review of global whale watching tourism since 2001.

Economists at Large are increasingly 'economists without borders', with consultants having been involved in projects in Indonesia and Laos.  As well as this, for the current global whale watching project, EcoLarge has a team of economists working across four continents and speaking ten languages.

The National Parks Association of NSW  and The Wilderness Society have recently release an EcoLarge report on the river red gum forestry industry in NSW: “Independent report slams Soviet style mismanagement of red gum forests”. See media release at link below, and report on our Reports page.

Parliamentary inquiry into Port of Melbourne's channel deepening project hands down its final report and supports Ecolarge findings regarding the economic and business case.

Economists at Large appeared as an expert witness in the Environmental Effects Statement inquiry into the open access boat ramp proposed for Bastion Point in eastern Victoria.

A report on the economic valuation of the Tongan whale watching industry was released today in the South Pacific country.

The EcoLarge report for IFAW found that the industry provides an annual boost of just under US$2 million to the small island nation, and has grown at an average of 20% per year since 1998. 

Victorian Auditor General commences an audit of the Port of Melbourne's channel deepening project.

An Upper House inquiry into the business case for the Port Philip Bay Channel Deepening Project begins this week.

Economists at Large will be presenting at the inquiry as an expert witness, stating that the benefits to Victorians have been well overstated by the Port of Melbourne. 

EcoLarge's report for the International Fund for Animal Welfare on the economic value of whale watching across the Pacific Islands region was launched today in New Zealand.

New Review Planned for Dredging: Upper House Votes for Further Scrutiny.

EcoLarge will be appearing before this parliamentary inquiry discussing the business case for the Port Philip Bay channel deepening. 

The Bay Channel Deepening project should be delayed until it becomes commercially viable. Our recent analysis has updated the figures for the project, based on information that the capital cost estimates continue to blow out. Economists at Large were quoted in The Age today saying the the project is not commercially viable and should be parked.

The team at EcoLarge is currently undertaking a review of the newly emerged whale watching industry on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

An Economist at Large report regarding the proposed Gunns pulpmill development was recently covered in the Australian press.