Community Valuations of Environmental Quality in Coastal Lakes: Lake Illawarra Case Study*

Abstract

This is the first Australian study to apply the hedonic pricing method to value environmental quality of an urban water body. It demonstrates the technique using a case study of a degraded urban lake that is currently undergoing a programme of water quality restoration and foreshore improvements. The results show that the community places significant value on proximity to the lake and on waterfront location. A range of other data was also generated that adds to the usefulness of this approach for general planning purposes. It is suggested that this technique would be a useful tool to aid in the allocation of public funds among competing environmental improvement projects.