Reports

Evaluation of Sydney Water’s WaterFix® Residential Program, 2019–2021

Keogh, B. and McInnes, R. (2022) ‘Evaluation of Sydney Water’s WaterFix® Residential Program, 2019-2021’, Cobalt59, Sydney, June. Prepared for the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

A hybrid Systems Evaluation Theory and program logic evaluation of the residential water efficiency program expanded with NSW Climate Change Fund money during the Sydney drought, synthesising scientific studies, customer feedback and management data. The evaluation was peer reviewed and assessed as conforming to NSW Government principles, norms and standards.

Environmental Water Management Program 2014-2019 Evaluation

ARTD Consortium with Slattery & Johnson, Cobalt59 and Alexandra Consulting (2021) Environmental Water Management Program 2014-2019 Evaluation, report for the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, February 2021. Brian Keogh represented Cobalt59.

A systems evaluation of the NSW Government’s environmental water management program, using critical systems heuristics to frame stakeholder perspectives and map constraints to root causes. The evaluation reviewed 145 documents, conducted 43 interviews and surveyed 125 stakeholders, and was accepted without major adjustment.

2019 Audit of the Sydney Drinking Water Catchment

Independent audit report to the responsible NSW minister, 2019. Cobalt59 was a lead on the 2016 and 2019 Sydney Drinking Water Catchment Audits, coordinating the analysis and the production of the final report.

A statutory independent audit of catchment health across 16,000 km², assessed against 18 indicators themed on water quality, water availability, biodiversity and habitats, and land use and human settlements. The audit reports direct to the responsible minister; its findings led to the establishment of the Independent Expert Panel on Mining in the Catchments.

Northern Basin Toolkit evaluation

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (2024) Northern Basin Toolkit evaluation report, December 2024.

Evaluation of the Northern Basin Toolkit — the package of works and management actions intended to deliver environmental outcomes in the northern Murray–Darling Basin without further water recovery.

NSW Water for the Environment Program evaluation, 2019–2024

Independent evaluation for the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

A participatory, systems-based evaluation grounded in a refined program logic and a structured set of key evaluation questions, drawing on structured interviews — including 14 scientists and most team leaders — document review, program data and catchment-level profiles. The final report set out a clear set of actionable recommendations.

Client report — not publicly released

Basin Plan Evaluation Framework and Plan

Murray–Darling Basin Authority (2014) Murray–Darling Basin water reforms: framework for evaluating progress. Cobalt59 prepared the evaluation framework and the detailed Basin Plan program logic.

Translates the Basin Plan’s chapters, its Schedule 12 matters for evaluation and reporting and the statutory key evaluation questions into a practical, Basin-wide system of program logic, indicators, data and methods — a single, integrated evaluation spine for the Plan, with Chapter 13 principles embedded.

Fish for the Future Integrated Works Program — feasibility proposal

Prepared for NSW Fisheries; put to NSW Fisheries and the Commonwealth.

A systems-based case for a $104.6 million integrated works program: improving fish passage at priority weirs and regulators in the Barwon–Darling and Border Rivers, rolling out diversion screens to protect eggs, larvae and juveniles at extraction points, addressing cold-water pollution downstream of major storages, and breeding and translocation for four threatened fish species.

Client proposal — not publicly released

Eurobodalla southern water storage — cost–benefit analysis

Commissioned by Eurobodalla Shire Council; central to the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund application.

A cost–benefit analysis for a new off-stream southern water storage drawing on storm flows from the Tuross River, built to demonstrate public benefit and a national interest element in securing water security and building resilience to future drought. The $105 million funding application was successful.

The cost–benefit analysis itself is not publicly released

Catchment-to-tap risk assessment

Prepared by Cobalt59 with Clearwater and directors and expert staff from both councils.

A systems-based risk assessment that examined the scheme as an integrated system rather than a set of isolated assets, giving the project partners a practical basis for discussing risk ownership, mitigation priorities and future governance arrangements.

Client report — not publicly released

Green Living Centre evaluation

Prepared for Inner West Council and the City of Sydney.

An evaluation of the centre’s delivery against its Programs Plan and target outcomes, combining a literature search, policy analysis, data analysis, focus groups, one-on-one interviews with staff and key stakeholders, and customer surveys, with a results workshop to test preliminary findings before the final report.

Client report — not publicly released

Parramasala business case

Used to secure multi-year funding for Parramasala from 2016 to 2018 from the NSW Government and Parramatta City Council.

Built on analysis of the previous festivals — financial performance, audience data, marketing and competitor analysis — and recommending a realigned curatorial brief and investment in re-branding.

Client business case — not publicly released

National live music festival and conference, Western Sydney

Developed for WS Business Connection and WS Business Chamber, for Destination NSW.

A business case for a new national live music festival and conference, with strategic advice on the most suitable governance model, the associated tender documents and a three-stage development model. Destination NSW accepted the business case and guaranteed the finance.

Client business case — not publicly released

Arts House strategy and business plan

Prepared for the City of Melbourne, which accepted and implemented the strategy and business plan.

Covering North Melbourne Town Hall and the Metropolitan Meat Markets, and built on extensive research into international, national and local trends and case studies alongside a wide-ranging artist consultation process.

Client document — not publicly released

City Recital Hall benchmarking and business development

Positive Solutions (2015) Future Management and Governance Models for City Recital Hall — Final Report, for the City of Sydney, January 2015. Cobalt59’s team did this work under Positive Solutions.

A review of the venue’s business model, benchmarked against five to six comparable venues in Australia and overseas, followed by the tender process and negotiation of the management contract. Fine music usage increased over the next contract period while the subsidy decreased.