Understanding and improving processes for Integrated Urban Water Management strategies in Australia

Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) is a new and emerging paradigm in urban water management that calls for the integration of the previously separate services of potable water, sewerage and drainage. This thesis investigates a particular aspect of IUWM - IUWM infrastructure strategies. This particular aspect is the collaborative process through which the future infrastructure for all three water services in a given area or region are planned to increase collaboration between services, reduce siloing, and achieve best possible community outcomes. The primary methods of the research have included the examination of nine IUWM strategy case studies which are attached in appendices A 1-9, consultation with 43 experts from 25 organisations, and an industry survey. Overall, this thesis seeks to deepen and increase the understanding and knowledge surrounding IUWM and provide guidance on how its implementation could be improved, with a particular focus on IUWM strategies. Overall this thesis has deepened the understanding of IUWM and IUWM strategies with the 21 findings in the Industry Findings Report and with the categorisation system. This thesis also provides guidance for increasing the implementability of IUWM strategies by providing the insights that HCD can be significantly beneficial when included in IUWM planning, and a list of the important IUWM issues for different types stakeholders.