The Future Perth Airports Technical Study represents a significant planning study to identify potential regular public transport and general aviation airport sites within the broader Perth and Peel metropolitan region. The study comprised the identification and assessment of a range of criteria to a substantial Study Area in order to identify land potentially suitable for the development of an airport.

The Study consisted of two distinct phases: the identification of broad geographical areas potentially suitable for aviation purposes that met identified essential selection criteria; and a more comprehensive multi-criteria evaluation assessment of those areas to identify sites potentially suitable for development as an airport based on a range of highly desirable and desirable criteria.

A relative weighting (or importance) was required to be applied to the criteria to facilitate the subsequent analysis and decision-making process. As criteria are not able to be readily compared, a considered and scientific approach to determining weightings was required.

This was achieved through the application of a sensitivity analysis which was defined by the project team and agreed to by the Steering Committee, to ensure an accurate and meaningful multi-criteria assessment could be undertaken.

element, in association with PwC, were engaged as the lead consultant responsible for the development and application of the multi-criteria assessment methodology, and provision of town planning and GIS inputs and advice.

The Study, which was undertaken by a multi-disciplinary team reporting to an inter-agency Steering Committee, made a triple bottom line assessment of a range of criteria, which was appropriately weighted having regard to their relative importance in the assessment and decision-making process.

• GIS mapping
• Multi-criteria and weighting evaluation
• Strategic town planning advice