Securing Water Funding for Long-Term Sustainability
The Problem: Short-Term Thinking is Failing Water Corporations
Water corporations and councils across Australia are facing a funding crisis. Ageing infrastructure is becoming more expensive to maintain, while population growth demands new assets. Yet, government funding models haven’t kept pace, leaving many organisations stuck in a cycle of:
❌ Capping customer rates, despite it being insufficient to maintain existing infrastructure and services.
❌ Chasing any available grants just to sustain operations.
❌ Expanding their asset base without securing funding for lifecycle maintenance.
❌ Struggling with cost pressures while keeping customer prices low.
Without government intervention and a modernised pricing model, water corporations and councils are left patching holes instead of future-proofing their infrastructure.
The Solution: A Strategic Investment Roadmap
Instead of waiting for government to step in, water corporations must take a proactive approach, developing an investment strategy that aligns with government priorities, funding cycles, and long-term sustainability goals.
- Alternative funding sources exist, yet many agencies either believe they are ineligible or become discouraged after a single unsuccessful submission.
- Success comes from strategy, not luck! A structured funding roadmap ensures investment priorities are clearly defined and positioned for approval.
At Grantus, we guide organisations through a 5-Step Funding Strategy Roadmap that has helped multiple water corporations and councils secure multi-million-dollar investments.
5 Steps to Building a Large-Scale Water Investment Priority
Inspired by Jim Collins’ BHAG concept, water agencies must think beyond immediate needs. Instead of focusing on one-off funding rounds, leaders should define a bold, long-term vision:
- What transformative impact do you want to achieve in 10–20 years?
- How can your water infrastructure drive regional sustainability?
- What partnerships will unlock the most investment potential?
Example: Instead of seeking funding to upgrade ageing pipes, a water corporation could position itself as a leader in climate-resilient infrastructure, securing investment for water security, industry partnerships, and energy integration.
Governments don’t fund business-as-usual operations, but they do fund strategic initiatives that:
- Boost economic resilience (e.g., water security for agriculture & industry).
- Address climate challenges (e.g., drought-proofing & flood mitigation).
- Support regional liveability (e.g., urban cooling, public health outcomes).
- Improve Indigenous equity in water access & management.
- With long-term planning, buy your time and prepare everything for the lead-up to an election cycle or be ready for drought funding or disaster recovery investment.
Example: Grantus secured Lower Murray Water $38M in investment to upgrade ageing assets, reducing financial burden on customers, by aligning their business case with climate resilience and regional economic growth objectives.
A strong funding application proves its impact! Grantus helps clients position projects as multi-sector investments that:
- Reduce long-term operational costs (not just add assets).
- Improve regional resilience & disaster preparedness.
- Strengthen industry & community partnerships.
Example: Grantus helped secure GWMWater $375,000 for a feasibility study, proving that a strategic water supply plan would deliver long-term regional benefits, leading to larger investment approvals.
Large-scale projects rarely receive full funding upfront. Successful organisations start with seed funding to:
- Develop feasibility studies & pilot programs.
- Build evidence for larger investment rounds.
- De-risk long-term financial commitments for funders.
- Bring multiple stakeholders—including funding bodies—on the journey.
Example: Grantus helped Coliban Water secure early-stage funding of $400,000 to develop alternative water supply options for rural customers, before progressing to $2m in funding for a business case. They are now shovel-ready, seeking funding for full-scale investment.
Government funders are more likely to invest in projects that share risk across multiple stakeholders. Grantus helps agencies:
- Secure letters of support from councils, industry & community groups.
- Align projects with public-private partnerships (PPPs) & infrastructure funding bodies.
- Access multiple funding sources, reducing reliance on one-off grants.
Example: Water security projects that integrate health, energy, and industry stakeholders are more attractive to government funders than standalone infrastructure upgrades.
Why Water Corporations Need a Funding Strategy Now
Without a strategic funding roadmap, water corporations risk:
- Government cost-shifting, increasing financial strain.
- Infrastructure degradation, leading to higher long-term maintenance costs.
- Critical failures, requiring expensive emergency repairs.
- Missed funding opportunities due to poor project positioning.
Final Thought: Water Management is Investment Management
Water is essential to life and requires a strategic vision to drive economic growth, climate resilience, and industry innovation.
At Grantus, we’ve been working with water corporations, councils, and regional authorities for over 25 years. We help regional organisations develop investment-ready funding strategies that secure transformational funding for long-term sustainability.
Want to unlock large-scale investment for your water projects? Let’s talk. Get in touch today to develop your funding strategy.
Simon Coutts
Simon is the Director and Founder of Grantus, a trusted advisor in strategic funding, complex problem solving, and stakeholder management, driving growth and public benefit for organisations dedicated to making a lasting impact. Book a ‘Borrow My Brain‘ session with Simon.
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