Planning a resilient water future for South East Queensland

Seqwater Integrated Master Plan

The South East Queensland (SEQ) Water Grid is one of the most complex water supply systems in Australia—linking 13 dams, 11 water treatment plants, and more than 650 kilometres of pipelines to deliver an average of 360 gigalitres of treated water each year. Managing this interconnected system requires a careful balance between cost, resilience, and reliability, especially in the face of population growth, climate uncertainty, and ageing infrastructure.

To support future decision-making, Seqwater engaged our team, in collaboration with Aurecon and WREMA, to develop an integrated master plan (IMP). This 30-year roadmap would identify the most effective mix of capital and operational interventions to meet the region’s water supply objectives.

Our scope involved advancing the technical and digital foundations of the plan. We helped develop a new unified modelling tool using WATHNET, incorporating genetic algorithm optimisation to assess hundreds of intervention scenarios in a fraction of the time previously required. Combined with a structured decision-making framework, this approach strengthened Seqwater’s ability to evaluate performance, risk, and value across multiple futures.

The IMP provides Seqwater with a clear, adaptable framework for managing their network of bulk water assets. By applying advanced modelling and planning tools, the program supports confident, evidence-based investment in a resilient and sustainable water future for South East Queensland. The IMP’s impact has been widely recognised, with the project named a finalist for the 2025 Australian Water Association Queensland Water Awards in the Infrastructure Project Innovation category.