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Resilience in action: How Central Coast Council and GHD are future-proofing water infrastructure

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At a glance

GHD is partnering with Central Coast Council in New South Wales, Australia to develop a two-year integrated water and wastewater master plan. With rapid population growth and rising infrastructure demands, Council needs a long-term strategy that remains responsive to change. GHD’s Adaptive Pathways Planning approach, supported by integrated dashboards, is helping shape a living plan to support the region’s resilience well into the future.

GHD is partnering with Central Coast Council in New South Wales, Australia to develop a two-year integrated water and wastewater master plan.

The challenge

Central Coast Council serves a community of around 350,000 people, and that number is growing. The region’s affordable housing continues to attract young families, increasing pressure on local infrastructure and services. The Council needed a plan that could deliver near-term investment clarity while remaining flexible enough to adapt to future conditions, including environmental pressures, population growth and potential changes in legislation. 

“This isn’t only about the problems of today,” said Mike Healey, who is leading the project for GHD. “Our job is to help the Council navigate the challenges of the future: climate change, population growth, policy changes, and identify both immediate responses and adaptable long-term strategies while leaving the Council with a legacy of improved planning tools.”

Our response

GHD is supporting the Council through a master planning process that integrates both water and wastewater services. At the core of this work is Adaptive Pathways Planning, a strategic approach that blends foresight, scenario planning and flexible investment pathways. 
 
Adaptive Pathways Planning helps decision-makers prepare for future uncertainty by identifying multiple solution pathways. It enables better long-term planning by: 
  • Recognising current and emerging challenges
  • Exploring a range of potential responses
  • Identifying indicators that trigger change
  • Evaluating the most appropriate pathways
  • Implementing plans that remain flexible over time 
Rather than locking into a single plan, this approach supports agility, ensuring the Council can adjust strategies as circumstances evolve. 
 
“Our plan is designed as a living document,” said Mike. “Because the moment you go to print, it’s already out of date. We want to leave Council with systems and processes that are agile to future challenges.” 
 
To further support this agility, GHD is incorporating interactive dashboards into the planning process to improve visibility, coordination and shared understanding across technical workstreams. 
 
Healey says, “By integrating dashboards into Adaptive Pathways Planning, we’re creating a shared view of risks and opportunities. That transparency supports better planning outcomes and more meaningful collaboration.” 

The impact

With the planning process now underway, Central Coast Council is building a stronger foundation for decision-making - one that accounts for both current needs and future complexity. 
 
The Master Plan is helping to: 
  • Create confidence in near-term investments
  • Prepare for climate, demographic and policy uncertainties
  • Improve integration across services and systems
  • Keep the master plan live, responsive and easy to update 
By combining a strategic planning framework with clear visual tools, GHD is helping the Council deliver a plan that reflects community needs today while remaining ready for whatever comes next. 
 
This work reflects GHD’s commitment to the Future of Water - to make water sustainable for generations to come by respecting nature, nurturing communities and bringing strategic planning and innovation to the table. Through approaches like this, we’re helping clients turn uncertainty into opportunity and deliver infrastructure that’s fit for the future while empowering the Council for future agility. 

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