All aspects of the NINA Pathway have been thoroughly researched by experts
NINA research has included a detailed survey of over 300 residential blocks to estimate the metrics of the national average block in terms of area, perimeter and residential loading. We believe this is the first such study ever performed.
The ongoing study has enabled us to estimate the project metrics of a nationwide deployment. This data, combined with detailed studies of utility revenue per household and the relative proportion of civil works in the regulated pricing models of utility services allows us to make accurate estimates of revenues, cost, rates of return and net present values- at the per household, per block and national deployment level.
In addition, detailed assessments of national productivity gains, comparative economic advantage and the stimulation of the manufacturing, construction, operation and maintenance support industries can be calculated.
The national residential footprint of Australia contains approximately 162,000 blocks.
The average area per block is 32,000 square metres.
The weighted average rainfall per block is 0.9 m per annum.
The hard surface (roof area) is approximately 45%.
This data has identified a recoverable water resource worth approximately 2 billion cubic meters per annum, which at current prices for clean water of approximately $2 per cubic meter indicates a national value of approximately $4 billion. The volume of trenching, the volume of concrete, the lengths of cabling and piping and other relevant data has also permitted detailed and realistic estimates of the costs of construction.
This figure, applied to Australia’s 9 million households located in residential blocks represents approximately 1.1% of annual GDP and is rising. Globally, the value is closer to 2% as the proportion of utility expense is higher in emerging economies.
All economies seek productivity gains and are facing higher charges to cover the large capital expenditures associated with new distribution infrastructure such as broadband and electric power. Water supply and security is a critical issue in both developed and emerging economies. Protection of utilities from severe weather events is now becoming a major political and economic concern as is the general requirement for productivity growth. Utility prices are rising while demand is being suppressed for environmental reasons (CO2 emissions,) leading to reduced productivity.
NINA has undertaken detailed and thorough research to ascertain the feasibility of the NINA Project including:
1. The survey of over 300 residential blocks nationally to determine a national average residential block metric, including its perimeter at the curb line, area, number of building lots, number of households/residences per block and the roof area ratio. There has also been a study to determine the number of such blocks nationally and their distributions.
2. Detailed modeling of the number of residences per block and the economic characteristics of the block.
3. Detailed analysis of the construction metrics, trenching volumes, cable and pipe runs and component analyses.
4. A detailed analysis of current and projected utility pricing.
5. Detailed analyses of rainfall including an annual weighted average analysis of rainfall across the urban footprint of Australia to determine water recovery potential from the isolation of rainfall from road contamination.
6. A comparative analysis of the relative pricing outcomes of a broadband network deployed via NINA and via the National Broadband Network and of the national power grid upgrade and water proposals.
7. A detailed study of the embedded cost of ducting and poles in consumer utility prices and the expected efficiency gains of the integrated NINA Access Pathway ducting architecture
8. A detailed survey of potential new multi-utility integrated trunk access routes for Sydney (which feed local residential block precincts). The study has identified over 600km of potential trunk access routes substantially configured as cycle routes
9. Detailed measurement of a whole suburb- Ashbury, for a potential trial. This analysis is comprised of 90 residential blocks, 2775 buildings and covers 59km of curbs, enclosing an area of 219 hectares
10. Detailed reviews of all current major distributive infrastructure projects and comparative rates of return.
11. Detailed analysis of the construction metrics of a national rollout of the NINA Access Pathway.
12. Detailed analysis of the industry build up in precast concrete required to deliver a national roll-out over a 12 year time horizon, detailed studies of concrete volumes, trenching volumes, transport and labor requirements.
13. Detailed business case analysis of the NINA Access Pathway as a national infrastructure initiative including full P&L analysis, rates of return and NPV value and an equity market valuation on completion.
14. Detailed review of the current national infrastructure policy settings and concerns with the current state of infrastructure and productivity.