Generally, Australia's water infrastructure works well. It delivers reliable and affordable services that make the nation's cities and towns more liveable by providing a high quality of life. This is an achievement in a county characterised by droughts and floods, but must not be taken for granted.
However, being so reliant on rainfall means changing weather patterns will make it increasingly difficult to provide all Australians with a reliable, resilient water supply. This is concerning given the vital contribution it makes to people's health and lifestyles and its enabling role in the national economy.
The reforms in the 2021 Plan will provide confidence that Australia can continue to deliver safe and secure water resources into the future in a way that boosts urban liveability and resilience, supports economic growth and ensures quality of access for all.