NSW Beach Values Estimation Tool (beta version): user manual for coastal management options cost-benefit analysis

The NSW Beach Values Estimation Tool covers more than 900 sandy beaches in 29 local government areas along the NSW coastline. It provides estimates for the values people place on beaches for their:

• recreational uses (which is referred to as consumer surplus in cost-benefit analysis)
• natural features (referred to as existence or bequest option to users in the future)
• tourist-business-related benefits (referred to as producer surplus).

This manual provides guidance on how to use the tool and how the beach values can be applied in coastal management cost-benefit analysis. The manual also provides details on the methodologies used to estimate the values.

The tool includes a 'scenario estimates' function, which allows users to explore the impact of changes in beach width on the 3 types of beach values. The underlying visitation model, which estimates how many people visit a beach, takes into account how beach users might change their behaviour based on the width of a beach (for example, they might  decide to go to another beach as result of changes in beach width). This enables the net effects of beach width changes to be considered in cost-benefit analyses.

The tool also includes underlying data and assumptions so you can:

• include relevant details in a cost-benefit analysis report
• test the sensitivity of outcomes to key variables
• build and test scenarios offline where, for example, more recent site-specific beach visitation data is available.