The Coorong Infrastructure Investigations Project (CIIP), part of the Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin Program, explored infrastructure solutions to improve the ecological health of the Coorong South Lagoon (part of the Coorong and Lower Lakes Ramsar site). The South Australian Department for Environment and Water (DEW) engaged NCC to help justify a detailed Business Case for three shortlisted options through a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and regional economic impact assessment.

For each shortlisted option, the study assessed benefits to ecosystem services (such as tourism, fishing, habitat support, and salinity regulation), against the costs of each option. The CBA confirmed all options were viable, showing positive net present values and benefit-cost ratios above 1. The regional impact assessment found that while costlier options generated more regional activity, the lowest-cost option had the best returns per dollar spent.

This preliminary analysis informed funding requests for the detailed buisness case for the DEW to implement options in the South Lagoon.