Key messages

•  The water sector is central to ensuring the liveability and resilience of Australia's urban environments.

•  Australians value water-dependent urban features, including parks, sporting fields and urban waterways.

•  Integrating management of water infrastructure and incorporating water managers into urban planning helps ensure the benefits of water in urban environments can be maximised.

•  High-quality water is essential to meet basic human needs.

•  High-quality water is also critical for strengthening Australians' health and wellbeing, ensuring economic prosperity and supporting sustainable development.

•  All Australians have a right to safe, high-quality reliable water and wastewater services.42

•  The Australian Government recognises this right and the commitment in the 2020 National Agreement on Closing the Gap and in its pledge to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.43 44