Overview of A3 Project: Governance, Policy & Regulatory Reform

1. Overview of A3 Project: Governance, Policy & Regulatory Reform

2. A3: Governance, Policy & Regulatory Reform • Three complementary sub-projects: • A3.1 – Better governance for complex decision-making (Brian Head) • A3.2 – Better regulatory frameworks for water sensitive cities(Graeme Hodge, ArieFrieberg & Pam O’Connor) • A3.3 – Strategies for influencing the political dynamics of decision-making (John Thwaites & Jim Walter)

3. A3: Governance, Policy & Regulatory Reform • Assessment of system innovation approaches and development of best-practice governance models for systems at state, regional and local scales • Review and assessment reports relating to current regulatory frameworks and recommendations for their improvement • A new model for risk assessment and risk diversification for the water sector • Methods for better reconciling scientific findings, expert opinion, policy making imperatives and community concerns entailing societal change – policy learning circles • Guidance on how to influence the political dynamics of decision-making and policy programs • A3: Governance, Policy & Regulatory Reform • A3.1 – Better governance for complex decision-making • A3.2 – Better regulatory frameworks for water sensitive cities • A3.3 – Strategies for influencing the political dynamics of decision-making

4. A3.1 Better Governance We therefore need to: • Better understand why the current institutional processes and standard governance approaches have proved unable to deliver solutions for the complex multi-level innovations required. • Better understand the available international approaches that encourage innovation while protecting well-being • Better understand the evidence base requiredto support decision-making for system innovation. • Provide these new understandings and insights for the consideration of local, state and national decision-makers.

5. A3.2 Better Regulatory Frameworks This tackles some more specific problems in regulatory governance for developing water sensitive cities: • Regulatory frameworks were not designed to facilitate WSUD and alternative water sources • The regulatory context for WSUD is complex, comprising numerous regulatory instruments and different governance/institutional frameworks, which may not always work towards consistent objectives • Most frameworks are based on a centralised rather than a decentralised model

6. A3.3: Strategies for influencing the political dynamics of decision-making Assess effective policy engagement strategies for scientists and practitioners Design capacity building strategies for improving evidence based decision-making in contested knowledge situations Develop methods of reconciling scientific findings, expert opinion, policy imperatives and community concerns

7. The knowledge gap We need to bridge knowledge gap concerning: • how political leaders and policy makers make the decisions that affect the implementation of water sensitive cities; • how the advice and opinions of scientists, experts, practitioners and the community are considered and utilised by key decision makers; and • how scientists, experts and practitioners can successfully participate in policy processes and influence community opinion, political leaders and decision makers to advance water sensitive city policies.