A Guide for Estimating the Non-Market Values Associated with Improved Fire Management

Non-market valuation techniques are required for estimating the value of environmental, social and other impacts of bushfire management for use in cost-benefit analysis. This guide has two goals. The first is to demonstrate how the non-market benefits and costs associated with bushfire management can be estimated. This includes market-based, revealed preference and stated preference techniques, with emphasis on the latter two approaches. Each of these approaches is described and explained to provide analysts working in this area with an in-depth understanding of how each of the techniques works, and many of the critical issues that are involved in applying them. The second goal of the manual is to summarise the existing literature on the non-market values associated with bushfire prevention. This includes studies conducted in Australia and overseas, particularly the USA.