We use evaluation criteria to understand the extent to which different solutions are expected to meet our objectives. Evaluation criteria allow us to:
- compare options accurately and consistently
- expose trade-offs between options
- generate productive discussion about better options
- communicate the rationale for and improve the transparency of decisions
The proposed evaluation criteria include:
Financial
- Capital cost
- Operations & Maintenance cost
Technical
- Technical advantages and disadvantages
- Technology type
- Risk consideration
- Difficulties of construction
- Phasing suitability and expandability
Social
- Impacts related to the opportunity and/or requirements for land development
- Impacts on local residents/businesses
- Community support
- Impacts on archaeological and heritage resources
- Impacts on First Nations cultural and traditional use sites
Environmental
- Impact of the existing/proposed infrastructure to the environment
- Impacts of effluent discharge to the receiving environment
A detailed version of the evaluation criteria is available here.