SAHA to advise Transnet on concessioning of South African rail branch lines
SAHA has been appointed by South Africa’s government owned transport and logistics company Transnet as transaction advisors to concession a number of the company’s rail branch lines. The project has several phases, including the development, release and evaluation of a Request for Interest; an Expression of Interest; and finally, a Request for Proposals. This latter phase will form the basis of awarding concession contracts. SAHA is managing this project and taking a leading role in all stages of delivery for this important national project. A key outcome from the project will be the revitalisation of key branch lines and renewed investment interest in regional development and community access.
25 May 2010
Infrastructure Partnerships Australia release new report on road pricing, Role for road pricing in the Australian context
Researched and written by SAHA, this paper examines options for the implementation of a national road pricing scheme. The impetus for the paper is to contribute to the debate on the current taxation system as part of the Henry Tax Review. The paper considers how reform of transport taxation could both act as a transport management tool and assist Australia to fund its next generation of public transport and road projects.
The research discusses how a national road access pricing regime, coupled with substantial taxation reform, might replace existing registration, licensing and fuel excises. Through a sound scheme design, a national road pricing scheme could deliver a fairer, more balanced system that would see high-end road users pay more and those who access roads less frequently, or during periods of low demand, pay less than they do under the status quo. A road pricing scheme based on distance, location and time of travel would improve equity outcomes across society by:
- Increasing the accountability of road users for the impacts arising from their road use;
- Removing upfront fees and charges that act as barriers to vehicle ownership – thereby reducing the impacts of social isolation; and
- Reducing the current, disproportionate fees and charges that apply to some heavy vehicles
The introduction of an Australian road pricing regime could also play a central role in managing demand, and help to fund the next generation of major transport infrastructure projects.
The paper covers the following elements:
- Review of the current system of taxes and charges paid by road users
- Review of road pricing systems in place overseas and assess their effectiveness in meeting policy objectives
- Review of current policy initiatives in transport and other sectors relevant to a broader debate on resource pricing
- Development of a set of options for a national road pricing system and consider their alignment with Australian government policy as set down by the Australian Transport Council
- Analysis of the possible impact of two options on likely total charges paid by road users
The paper argues the merits of shifting the focus of charges away from high fixed taxes (such as registration) to a system based on variable charges according to distance travelled, location and time of day. The underlying purpose of such an approach is to shift user behaviour to focus more on the actual cost of undertaking a given trip (including the cost of externalities). A national road pricing scheme may comprise three tiers: non-metropolitan (base charge); metropolitan (base charge plus additional charge for externalities for use of urban networks); and metropolitan peak charge (metropolitan charge plus time of day charge for use of congested networks).
A copy of the report can be downloaded by clicking on the following link: http://www.infrastructure.org.au/Content/RoleforroadpricingintheAustraliancontext.aspx
South Africa Department of Energy release draft IRP for comment
As background to the IRP Process and market reforms proposed for South Africa, SAHA prepared an overview of current structures in the electricity market. This overview illustrates issues faced in market reforms in other jurisdictions and attempts.
Click here to view the single frame illustration
11 February 2010
SAHA boosts Corporate Finance and Transport credentials with the recent addition of Graham Dredge and Robin Barlow to its Brisbane office.
Graham Dredge has recently joined SAHA's corporate finance practice from PriceWaterhouseCoopers where he was a Director in the Infrastructure Advisory practice. Originally from Queensland, Graham has also worked in New Zealand, London and New Caledonia. Starting in Audit and then later in Risk, he has spent the majority of the last 10 years in Infrastructure. Graham worked across an array of Queensland Government Infrastructure providers in addition to the mining sector (largely BHP).
Graham specialises in advising clients on project governance and controls, and the establishment of robust compensation frameworks for project delivery. Graham assists clients in developing transparent commercial terms that align with project objectives, embed effective project controls and policies and, to assess project outcomes and leaning's.
Robin Barlow joins SAHA from the TransLink Transit Authority where he has worked since its inception as a business unit of Queensland Transport. Most recently Robin's role has been Director, Strategy and Planning, and has also been Acting Chief Executive Officer on difference occasions. Prior to TransLink, Robin held various roles in Queensland Transport covering transport policy, competition policy, taxis and air services. He began his career in Canberra working as an Economist for the Industry Commission. Over the last few years Robin has been responsible for the design and implementation of integrated ticketing and fares in southeast Queensland and managed the establishment of TransLink as a standalone Transit Authority.
Robin specialises in integrated ticketing and fares, passenger transport governance, transport economics and policy, fare revenue management and passenger network optimisation.
30 September 2009
Infrastructure Partnerships Australia release new report on Urban Growth and Congestion in Southeast Queensland, Urban Transport Challenge: Planning for Growth in Southeast Queensland.
Researched and written by SAHA, this report warns that congestion will cost the economy of Brisbane $3bn by 2020. In the longer term, costs will triple to $9bn a year if improvements in the transport system are not delivered.
The paper analyses the historical and rapid growth in population, the economy, and congestion in Southeast Queensland and the impacts of this growth on transport infrastructure. Recent responses by various levels of government were considered in terms of infrastructure and transport management. It also considered why congestion may continue to increase despite the current suite of projects underway and additional responses that may be needed.
The report's principal recommendation is the formation of a dedicated transport planning body that brings together all levels of government to drive a long-term unified plan for the infrastructure that will underpin Southeast Queensland's growth and productivity. Other recommendations include:
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a firm recommitment to the project pipeline as defined in the Southeast Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program
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reviewing whether planning horizons are sufficient - is it possible to plan for the truly long term (e.g. up to 50 years?)
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considering non-infrastructure solutions, including network-wide road pricing.
A copy of the report can be downloaded by clicking on the following link:
http://www.infrastructure.org.au/Content/SEQpaper.aspx
21 August 2009
SAHA's Quincy Chan was recently nominated for the Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics Australia (CILTA, NSW Division) Young Achiever Award
Quincy was nominated in recognition of his continued contributions to developing public transport reforms on behalf of Government agencies around Australia. In particular, the important role Quincy has played in major bus contract reform projects in NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The awards ceremony was held on Thursday 20 August where Quincy came a close second and received a commendation for his achievements. Quincy was presented with his award by the NSW Minister for Roads, Mr Michael Daley.
20 August 2009
SAHA commissioned to undertake Economic Evaluation of MSIC, Sydney
SAHA was commissioned to undertake a robust economic evaluation of the Medically Supervised Injection Centre to determine the costs and benefits of the program in relation to the broader health budget in NSW as well as to any related government agencies and private enterprise.
The major activities which we assessed were:
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HIV and Hepatitis C Prevention
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Overdoses
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Client and Referral Services
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Police and Coronial Investigation of Fatal Overdoses.
The Sydney MSIC was established in May 2001, in response to Recommendation 3.15 of the 1999 NSW Drug Summit. The NSW Government agreed to support one trial of a MSIC in recognition of arguments put to the Drug Summit that the establishment of facilities of this kind will decrease overdose deaths, provide gateway to treatment and reduce the problems of discarded needles and users injecting in public places.
31 July 2009
SAHA hosts Seminar on Public Private Partnerships
A second seminar hosted by SAHA, this time focused on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and their potential to deliver key infrastructure projects in New Zealand. SAHA Partners Luke Houghton and Jonathan Myers delivered their insights into the use of PPPs and other public-private arrangements in Australia and the lessons that could be learned for New Zealand.
Click here for the Seminar Presentation
19 June 2009
SAHA assisting Powerco NZ in Electric Cars Pilot Study
Saha International is currently assisting Powerco New Zealand in an Electric Cars Pilot Study. SAHA is helping Powerco develop the business case and the study's methodology for undertaking the trial. Several electric vehicles will be purchased and their performance monitored under various driving patterns and battery recharging methods. The study will provide an understanding of the impact that Electric Cars will have on distribution networks, and the future opportunities of this dynamic opportunity.
19 June 2009
SAHA appointed regulatory advisor to Powerco NZ
Saha International has been appointed Powerco's regulatory advisor for the preparation of their price submission to the New Zealand Commerce Commission This work includes:
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Developing a Cost of Supply Model for their Gas Reticulation and Metering businesses;
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Producing a Gas Tariff Pricing Methodology to assist Powerco in their negotiations with the NZ Commerce Commission;
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Drafting the price submission; and
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Liaising with the Commerce Commission and their auditors.
14 May 2009
SAHA hosts NZ Infrastructure Seminar - Tuesday 12 May 2009
SAHA hosted a range of guests from NZ Treasury and other interested agencies to a seminar to discuss lessons for infrastructure planning in New Zealand. Drawing on their experiences in Australia, SAHA's Tim Reardon and Dr Anthony Ockwell shared their insights into infrastructure planning through their close relationship with the Southeast Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program (SEQIPP) and Infrastructure Australia (IA), providing a particular focus on lessons that can be taken from these processes and applied to the New Zealand context - a very timely and topical subject given the current development and formation of a National Infrastructure Unit in New Zealand.
Click here for the Seminar Presentation
Watch this space for further such seminars to be hosed by Saha International.