The IWA Act outlines requirements in relation to the Strategy’s content and preparation. In addition to these requirements, the Strategy’s 2042 Vision (Vision), objectives and guiding principles have steered development of the first Strategy.
IWA applied a hybrid top-down, bottom-up approach in developing the Strategy. This included a bottom-up assessment predominantly addressing the 0 to 10 year period, and a strategic top-down assessment focussing more on the 10 to 20 year time frame.
The bottom-up assessment involved the review and analysis of existing infrastructure-related strategies and plans, as well as stakeholder feedback and other relevant material. The top-down approach included an assessment of the global context in which WA sits and applying scenario planning to identify global megatrends. Six strategic opportunity areas were identified to form the basis of the Vision for the Strategy. Work was also undertaken to regionalise the Vision using targeted stakeholder engagement, expert analysis and prioritisation.
IWA then identified potential responses to key issues and needs. The evaluation methodology of potential responses considered triple bottom line (economic, social and environmental) outcomes, in addition to the affordability and deliverability of recommendations. Responses were tested with targeted stakeholders and the IWA Board prior to finalisation of the recommendations in the Strategy.