Throughout the development of the Strategy and the extensive consultation process, a number of findings described as core themes were identified that underpin IWA’s recommendations. These core themes include:
- Managing demand for infrastructure through prevention, early intervention and pricing
- Improving the quality and consistency of strategic infrastructure planning and processes
- Addressing climate change
- Implementing data sharing and other tools to support infrastructure planning and investment decision making
- Optimising the existing infrastructure asset base
- Identifying major infrastructure project and programs.
These core themes are addressed through a series of headline recommendations, most of which are supported with sub-recommendations. Several recommendations build on existing work underway within government, with many addressing gaps in thinking, planning, governance and delivery that need to be dealt with.
Many recommendations focus on non-build initiatives that improve fundamental elements of the infrastructure system, such as policy, planning and legislative frameworks, while many major projects and programs are also outlined across the economic, social and environmental spheres.