Methodology
A four-step process was used to identify a preferred site:
- assess site against critical criteria
- multi-criteria analysis to identify shortlist
- detailed assessment of shortlisted sites and order of magnitude costs
- multi-criteria analysis and qualitative risk assessment to identify preferred site.
The first stage scanned the six sites against pre-determined critical criteria for fatal flaws. Using a high level multi-criteria analysis, sites that appeared at this high level to be suitable for food processing were then shortlisted in stage two.
The short listed sites were then subject to further analysis against a series of detailed criteria relating to physical and environmental characteristics, planning considerations and potential impacts.
This analysis was based on desk top review of available information, augmented by drive-by site visits.
Order of magnitude cost estimates were identified for infrastructure, current capacity, required upgrades, costs and impediments to upgrades for each of the shortlisted sites.
The final stage was the preparation of a multi-criteria analysis of the four short listed sites using the results of the detailed criteria and order of magnitude cost estimates in the key areas of:
- land status
- infrastructure
- transport linkages
- environment
- waste management
- workforce, services and support business
- social amenity impacts
- strategic potential.
The multi-criteria analysis scores were confirmed at a workshop of the Project Steering Committee, at which time a qualitative risk assessment was also prepared for the short listed sites to assist in future decision making. A preferred site – Waterloo – was confirmed at this workshop.