Legislative Reform
Cutting Red Tape to Deliver Results.
Fragmented planning rules, siloed departments, and short-term funding cycles are stalling critical infrastructure progress. We provide local and state governments with the evidence-based blueprints needed to unify standards, ensure climate resilience, and implement financially viable lifecycle management for urban water assets.
Evidence-led policy input
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Consistent standards
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Practical delivery pathways
The Systemic Roadblocks
The Cost of Policy Fragmentation.
Too much stormwater is treated as waste.
3,000 GL EACH YEAR
Australia’s urban areas produce around 3,000 gigalitres of stormwater runoff each year, with the majority flushed out to sea instead of being captured, treated and reused to strengthen local water supplies.
Source: Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications
Australia has over 500+ stormwater rulebooks.
537 COUNCILS
With 537 councils across Australia, fragmented local rules create inconsistent standards, duplicated effort and avoidable delays for infrastructure and housing projects.
Source: Australian Local Government Association Facts and Figures
Stormwater systems are underperforming.
1 IN 5 ASSETS
Around 20% of local government stormwater assets have poor capacity, function or condition, meaning many systems are under pressure from growth, heavier runoff and changing rainfall conditions.
Local govermenat carry an unequal burden.
1/3 OF INFRASTRUCTURE, 3% OF TAX
Local governments manage one-third of Australia’s public infrastructure but receive just 3% of national tax revenue. Long-term funding would help councils maintain and upgrade stormwater systems before costs escalate.
OUR COMMITMENT
How We Support Policymakers.
Data & Evidence
Supplying robust data, modelling and case studies to inform better decisions, measure impact & prioritise investment.
Lifecycle Funding Models
Promote funding models that account for design, construction, maintenance and renewal; not just short-term delivery.
Unified Standards
Providing the technical and practical input government needs to develop clearer, more consistent stormwater standards across councils.
Policy-to-Delivery Partnerships
Bringing government and industry together to turn stormwater reform into practical delivery pathways for housing, water security, resilience and healthier waterways.
Evidence & Strategy
White Papers & Government Submissions.
The Power of Unity: How Collaboration Drives Stormwater 2030’s Impact in NSW
Our previous blog posts have highlighted the vision, challenges, and key initiatives outlined in...
Building Momentum: Highlights from Stormwater 2030’s First Year of Action
Last week, we discussed the challenges facing NSW stormwater management and our foundational...
Stormwater Management in NSW: A Broken System
For decades, the management of urban stormwater in New South Wales has been predicated on a...
Get Involved
Turn Policy Intent Into Practical Reform.
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1. Request a Policy Briefing
Understand the stormwater evidence, reform priorities and opportunities relevant to your portfolio, agency council or electorate.
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2. Align Standards & Funding
Use our technical input to support clearer rules, lifecycle funding and more consistent stormwater outcomes across all levels of government.
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3. Pilot Practical Reform
Partner with Stormwater 2030, government and industry to test real-world solutions for water security, housing, resilience and waterway health.
Build the policy foundations for cleaner waterways and safer communities.
Work with Stormwater 2030 to support practical reform, smarter funding and better stormwater outcomes.
