June 15, 2026
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Australia urgently needs more homes, but if we continue to deliver housing through the current model, we risk locking in higher long-term costs, weaker climate resilience and poorer liveability for decades.
Many of the challenges in housing delivery today stem from this outdated approach. Too often, homes are built without adequate regard for natural water systems, leading to costly drainage, flood mitigation and heat management interventions later. When water in all its forms is considered too late, opportunities for cooler neighbourhoods, greener public spaces, reduced flood risk and more efficient infrastructure are lost.
This is not only a greenfield issue. It also affects brownfield renewal and increasing density in established suburbs. In all these contexts, better housing outcomes depend on better integration of land use and water system planning.
We’re trying to shift the national conversation and practice.
First, we outlined a national approach that identifies priority actions for building housing that is not only fast and affordable, but resilient, climate-ready and better aligned with natural systems.
Delivering Water Sensitive Housing in a Housing Crisis
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Second, at OzWater’26, we brought together thought leaders from planning, development, water and research to explore what needs to change to make water sensitive housing the norm, not the exception.
Some things came through loud and clear:
- We need to make decisions about water services systems and processes in the strategic planning phase – Once we get to development assessment, it’s too late.
- We need to keep building the evidence base that housing can be water sensitive AND affordable – We don’t have to choose one or the other.
- Champions and communities of practice are critical – We need collaborators, experimenters and problem solvers.
Chris Manning presenting at OzWater'26
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Third, we’re starting a project that can move this work from principle to practice:
- Develop clear principles for integrating housing and water system planning.
- Create a practical decision-support process and supporting resources that can be used across jurisdictions.
- Test this process in real-world housing contexts to demonstrate benefits, costs and feasibility.
- Build a national coalition of partners to support implementation, knowledge sharing and refinement.
We are looking for partners from all jurisdictions, including consortiums of government agencies, water utilities, councils and water practitioners, to advance water sensitive affordable housing at scale.
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