Valuing New South Wales rivers for use in benefit transfer

• Published in: The Australian journal of agricultural and resource economics Vol. 48; no. 4; pp. 591 - 611
• Main Authors: Morrison, M, Bennett, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: PO Box 378, Carlton South Victoria 3053, Australia Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd 01.12.2004; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Australia; Discrete choice modelling; Ecology; Econometrics; Environmental protection; Health; Natural resources; New South Wales; New South Wales: Industries and resources; Pooled modelling; Resource management; River health; Rivers; Studies; Surveys; Valuation; Water allocation; Australia; New South Wales Australia
• ISSN: 1364-985X; 1467-8489
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8489.2004.00263.x

The results from seven choice modelling applications designed to value improved river health in New South Wales are reported. These applications were designed to provide value estimates that could be used, through benefit transfer, to value improvements in the health of other rivers within the state. Because of limitations on the number of rivers that could be valued and populations sampled, a pooled model for use in benefit transfer was also estimated. The results indicate that both use and non‐use values were found to exist for all catchments. In addition, value estimates were found to differ across catchments when populations resident within catchments were sampled. However, when populations resident outside catchments were sampled for two of these catchments, value estimates were found to be statistically similar. This indicates the importance of valuing improved river health in specific catchments by sampling populations within catchments. Yet, it also indicates that it is less critical to conduct multiple surveys of residents outside catchments to value improved river health.