Water is currently an undervalued resource.
Locally collected water could play a larger role in the urban environment, reducing our reliance on potable water.
State and territory planning bodies must accelerate their progress towards better integrating water management. This will involve clarifying the roles and responsibilities of planning departments, water utilities, local governments and industry involved in land-use planning.
A sophisticated approach to managing water in the urban environment incorporates total water cycle and circular economy principles. Not following this approach could adversely affect the wellbeing, population growth and economic prosperity of Australia's cities.
For further information about the resilience of urban areas, see the Sustainability and resilience chapter.
To read more about improving access to green and blue infrastructure, see the Social infrastructure chapter.