By: David Nixon, NSW SQID Taskforce Chair, Sydney
Date: October 11, 2025
Imagine a symphony orchestra where every musician is a world-class expert on their instrument. But there’s no conductor. The violin section has one idea of the tempo, the brass section has another, and the percussionists are playing a different piece of music entirely. The result is not a symphony; it’s chaos.
This is the state of stormwater management in Australia. We have immense talent and expertise, but no clear leadership. To fix this, we must establish a clear structure of Lead Agencies at both the state and federal levels, working in direct partnership with their industry association counterparts. 🏛️
The State Level: The Engine Room of Delivery
At the state level, where the day-to-day work happens, the problem is a diffusion of responsibility. Is stormwater a planning issue, a water utility issue, or an environmental protection issue? The answer is “all of the above,” and so it often becomes the core responsibility of no one.
The Solution: A Single State Lead Agency
Each state government must appoint a single, designated Lead Agency for stormwater management. This agency would be the “conductor” for that state. Its role would not be to do everything, but to provide the direction and framework for everyone else.
This agency’s mandate would be to:
- Act as the single point of truth for all state-based stormwater policy and regulation.
- Mandate the minimum standards for design, maintenance, and reporting that all councils must follow.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for the industry, streamlining communication.
The Partnership: State Agency + State Industry Association
This State Lead Agency cannot work in a vacuum. It must form a powerful, symbiotic partnership with the state-level industry body (like Stormwater NSW). This is a two-way street:
- The Agency provides the “What”: The regulatory power, the policy framework, and the legal authority.
- The Association provides the “How”: The on-the-ground technical expertise, practical feedback on what works, and the delivery of training and accreditation.
The government sets the rules of the road, and the industry association helps design the cars and train the drivers.
The Federal Level: The Strategic Coordinators
While the states are the engine room, the federal government must be the ship’s navigator, setting the overall course. Currently, there is no national strategic direction for stormwater, which is why we have the chaotic patchwork of different state rules.
The Solution: A National Lead Agency or Body
The Federal Government should designate a National Lead Agency or a formal body responsible for the strategic coordination of stormwater management across Australia. This body would not get involved in the specifics of a local council’s drainage plan. Its high-level role would be to:
- Harmonise standards between states to create a consistent national market.
- Fund and coordinate national research into emerging technologies and best practices.
- Represent Australia’s interests in international water policy discussions.
The Partnership: Federal Agency + Federal Industry Association
This national body’s primary partner would be the national industry association, Stormwater Australia.
- The Agency provides the “National Vision”: The policy levers, access to national funding (like research grants), and the authority to convene state governments.
- The Association provides the “National Voice”: It consolidates the views and expertise of all the state bodies into a single, powerful voice to advise the federal government and drive national initiatives.
From Chaos to Cohesion
This two-tiered structure of leadership and partnership is the only way to transform our fragmented industry into a cohesive, high-performing national sector. It provides clarity on who is responsible for what, and it ensures that government policy is always informed by the practical expertise of the people on the ground.
Without a conductor, an orchestra produces only noise. It’s time for our governments to pick up the baton.
A clear governance structure is the foundation of a functional industry. The NSW SQID Taskforce Report details the need for this leadership at all levels. We invite government and industry stakeholders alike to review these recommendations and provide feedback on creating a more coordinated and effective future.
We have commenced a broad consultation process across industry, government, councils and industries. We are aiming to prepare a feedback supplement at the conclusion of the consultation period.
Review the consultation draft, Volume One, outlining recommendations, available on the Stormwater 2030 website.
Submit feedback via the Taskforce Feedback Form by Monday, December 1, 2025.
