Visiting Speaker: Peter Roebeling

Speaker: Peter C. Roebeling, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
Date: 21 April, 11:00am
Place: Room 78-621/622, General Purpose South
Efficiency in Great Barrier Reef Water Pollution Control:
A Case Study for the Douglas Shire

Abstract: Despite the lack of adequate economic evidence, water pollution from economic activities in Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchments is often regarded excessive. Shadow values of terrestrial (diffuse-source) water pollution and economic (use and non-use) values of the GBR are estimated and used in an optimal control approach to determine optimal levels of water quality.

Results indicate that regionally optimal levels of water pollution are close to current levels, indicating that increased water pollution leads to a decrease in regional economic welfare. Globally optimal levels of water pollution are, however, below current levels, indicating that (inter-) national compensation for beneficial spillovers can increase global economic welfare.












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