Macy Diett

Macy is an economist at Frontier Economics who primarily works in the water, urban economics and biodiversity sectors.

She applies economics to provide qualitative and quantitative analysis on a variety of economic issues for a range of clients in these sectors. Particularly specialising in cost benefit analysis, business cases, modelling and regulatory issues.

Her expertise includes:

Cost benefit analysis and economic modelling

Within the water sector, Macy regularly develops complex cost benefit analysis (CBAs) and adaptive pathways models advising on policies and investment decisions that support the delivery of blue, green and grey resources. She has developed CBAs or business cases for clients including: the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), Sydney Water Corporation, NSW Local Water Utilities, Melbourne Water Corporation and South East Water Corporation.

Examples include:

• Assessing the economics of portfolios of demand-side response actions to manage long-term water security as well as under a modelled drought scenario.
• Evaluating integrated water management projects, including water recycling and reuse, and water efficiency schemes, such as leakage management.
• Developing business cases to assess changes in the water security, water quality and environmental risks in the delivery of water and wastewater services.

Understanding the value of resilience in the water sector

Macy advises clients on measures to increase the efficient and effective use of our available water sources, including to enhance system resilience and reduce community exposure to risks posed by natural hazards.

Examples include:

• Assessing the value of reducing community exposure to water quality risks and enhancing the resilience of our water systems to deteriorations in source water quality.
• Undertaking cost-benefit analysis to determine the value of improved resilience to natural hazards, such as flooding and drought, in the delivery of key services and infrastructure.
• Developing sector specific guidance for valuing water conservation measures and recycled water schemes, including determining resilience benefits.

 Biodiversity and ecosystem services

She also advises clients on the value of measures to protect Australia’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity.

Examples include:

• Evaluating the costs and benefits of managing a marine pest – the first application of the CEBRA Project 1608E methodology to guide responses to marine pest incursions.
• Investigating the economic, social and environmental costs of failing to manage feral animals (such as feral deer in Victoria and feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park).

We work as one team across the world

In Asia-Pacific, we do this from offices in Australia and Singapore. We work as a single team with expertise and people brought together as required by the problem we are solving for our clients.  Reach out to any of our economists and consultants to find out how we can help you.