Queensland's local needs and challenges

A water sensitive future for South East Queensland (SEQ) is possible, however there are a number of local needs and challenges that will impact on the success of the transition process.  These challenges were identified and characterised by industry stakeholders in a CRCWSC workshop held in 2015.

A common vision and locally tailored narrative of a water sensitive future for SEQ is vital for a successful transition to a water sensitive region. The vision should be underpinned by a compelling business case, and supported by public, political, and private sectors. It should identify how financial, governance, and social frameworks need to change in order to recognise the benefits and value of water sensitive cities; to enable collaboration across agencies and sectors; and to improve legislative and policy tools to promote water sensitive practices.

To develop water sensitive on-ground practises, we must  understand how to achieve multiple benefits through integrated design and planning. We need collaborative development of next-generation risk assessment frameworks and decision-making tools. Thorough monitoring and evaluation will play a crucial role in providing local evidence for improved system design and performance. Ultimately, this knowledge should be  shared effectively, to provide guidance on how to develop context-specific solutions and influence on-ground practices.

Social capital is an integral part of success on the journey to a water sensitive  South East Queensland. We should   foster a culture that embraces uncertainty, encourages learning, and supports innovation. We need to increase the capacity of current and future urban water professionals, and   empower community ownership of a common water sensitive vision, facilitated by citizens’ values and behaviours.

Collectively these challenges appear to present a difficult undertaking, one that could not be achieved by any single entity. But collaborative practice between research, government, as well as private and public sectors has already achieved great advances – to the point where we believe that  a water sensitive South East Queensland can become a reality if we further support and grow this collaborative vision.