Expertise
As Australia faces mounting housing pressures and rapid urban expansion, infrastructure capacity studies are emerging as a vital tool in shaping smarter, more sustainable land development. By thoroughly examining the condition and capacity of water, sewer, stormwater, energy and transport networks these studies become strategic enablers that help governments, developers, and communities plan for growth with confidence.
Capacity studies test growth scenarios against servicing thresholds, lead times and interdependencies across agencies. Identifying constraints early is critical in estimating upgrade timelines, sequencing and costs. So, when integrated into land use planning early, they unlock serviced land faster, reduce delivery risks, and ensure that urban development is matched with the infrastructure communities need to thrive.
Challenges and opportunities in unlocking development potential
Aging and constrained infrastructure
Many urban areas rely on legacy infrastructure that wasn’t designed for today’s densities. Retrofitting these systems, especially in brownfield or precinct renewal contexts involves complex, staged upgrades across water, energy, and transport.
Infrastructure studies support higher-density development by demonstrating existing capacity and identifying where upgrades are needed. They also enable strategic investment in water security, energy distribution, and public transport, ensuring that urban renewal doesn’t overburden existing systems.
High Upfront Costs and Funding Constraints
Infrastructure upgrades demand significant investment. While developer contributions play a role, capacity studies help identify value capture mechanisms and justify government co-investment. By highlighting where catalytic infrastructure unlocks broader benefits, these studies support staged investments and deliver social value.
Integrating Planning and Governance Authorities
Land use planning and infrastructure delivery often sit with different authorities. Councils manage zoning, while utilities and transport agencies operate the networks. Without alignment, growth can stall.
Evidence-based infrastructure planning, such as the Growth Infrastructure Compact model introduced in the Greater Sydney Region Plan, brings stakeholders together early. Capacity studies enable shared strategies, clearer responsibilities, and efficient cross-agency coordination.
Community expectations and advocating strong design outcomes
There is growing public demand for transparency in how growth is planned and serviced. Communities want assurance that new developments – whether new suburbs or higher-density infill – won’t overload roads, schools, or utilities.
Infrastructure studies help build trust by showing how and when services will be delivered. Early engagement and clear infrastructure plans foster community support and ensure that regeneration efforts are inclusive and sustainable.
Outcomes-based planning approach
Infrastructure Capacity scenarios across the Lifecycle
Infrastructure planning adds value at every stage, from strategic investment decisions to on-the-ground delivery. SMEC’s multidisciplinary expertise ensures that each phase is informed by robust data, local insight, and scalable solutions.
Strategic planning for ACT greenfield developments
Long-term planning is supporting infill growth in Woden Valley along the Southern Gateway Corridor and greenfield development at Molonglo 3 East. SMEC’s multi-scenario modelling stress-tested growth forecasts to stage infrastructure efficiently.
Corridor mapping and GIS were used to refine service locations, with phased strategies enabling scalable delivery. Assessments across water, sewer, stormwater, energy and transport underpin investment decisions. Early engagement aligned outcomes with the ACT Climate Change Strategy and zero emissions targets.
Sewer network studies in ACT
Master planning for precinct regeneration
Cairns City Precincts drew on a range of specialist studies (including economic feasibility analyses, climate and hazard modelling, and social research) and local zoning needs to shape a realistic and implementable urban framework. The project focused on identifying the public realm infrastructure and other initiatives to encourage residential investment and revitalisation of key city areas.
An implementation roadmap was produced that outlines a long-term plan for a more vibrant, connected and liveable Cairns through a mix of urban improvement and policy reform. It includes detailed, costed projects and policy recommendations designed to attract investment and support infill housing. The roadmap reflects local market conditions and vulnerabilities to flooding, heat and extreme weather events like tropical cyclones.
Cairns City Precincts – diversifying infill opportunities
Embedding Infrastructure Capacity into Design
Prioritising infrastructure readiness before land release ensures orderly growth and mitigates service bottlenecks.
- At Beachside Yaroomba, QLD, SMEC identified stormwater management constraints early, optimising trunk infrastructure design to protect surrounding residential land in terms of flood profiles and climate change.
- In Sydney’s former Channel 9 site, early infrastructure analysis addressed topographical and density-related constraints. A mix of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) outcomes and proprietary systems ensure sustainable water management across the site. Early stakeholder engagement enabled coordinated upgrades and streamlined approvals, de-risking development.
- Regionally, at Laffing Waters, Bathurst, SMEC analysed water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure alongside environmental sensitivities, enabling planning approvals whilst providing support to council in relation to project communication and community engagement.
These examples show how infrastructure capacity studies support both greenfield development and brownfield redevelopment by embedding resilience and sustainability into design.
Yaroomba, federated services model and locations for stormwater upgrades
Coordinating infrastructure readiness during construction
The benefits of infrastructure planning carry through to delivery.
- At Bradfield City Centre in Western Sydney, a co-investment model between state and federal government underwrites key site infrastructure, providing incentive for private sector investment. SMEC helped align transport, stormwater management, and planning authorities which has underpinned coordinated utility planning and early service delivery. Value adds have included optimising the number of substations and their layouts to maximise developable area, coordinating smart pole power and telecom links with NBN to streamline construction, and working with the Bradfield Development Authority and Transport for NSW on connections to Badgerys Creek Road to accommodate increased vehicle traffic.
- At The Gables in Sydney’s northwest, rather than extending trunk sewer mains, the developer opted to invest in a private onsite wastewater treatment facility. This choice significantly accelerated development timelines and saved cost. Since 2023, SMEC has provided surveillance activities for current developer Stockland, overseeing the installation of wastewater systems at each lot, which connect to the onsite wastewater treatment facility.
The Future of Infrastructure-Led Planning
Infrastructure Capacity Studies have evolved into a mainstream planning tool. With Australia’s population projected to reach 40 million by 2060, integrated infrastructure planning is vital. Infrastructure Australia’s 2021 Infrastructure Plan points to four overarching recommendations:
- Digital Tools: Use GIS, digital twins, and scenario modelling earlier in planning to improve decisions.
- Zoning Alignment: Match local zoning with funded infrastructure pipelines to avoid servicing delays.
- Funding Models: Share costs across governments, developers, and users to bring forward catalytic works.
- Sustainability: Embed circular economy principles to support net zero targets and reduce environmental impacts.
Capacity studies benefit all stakeholders by simplifying complexity, converting data into a single plan that links land use with the works and funding needed over time. They are a foundation for Engineering Positive Change.
Governments gain strategic clarity and better value. Developers and investors gain certainty and smoother delivery. Communities see growth matched with roads, public transport, parks and services that protect quality of life.
By combining global expertise with deep local insight, we help governments, developers, and communities shape vibrant, resilient, and liveable places.
Meet the authors
Sophie Quinn
Manager, Urban Development / Area Manager, Canberra
Arun Thiagarajah
Manager, Urban Development / Area Manager, Parramatta
Bruce Gardiner
Senior Project Manager, Water Infrastructure / Area Manager, Cairns
Matthew Figg
Manager Engineering, Urban Development, Sunshine Coast and Regional QLD
70 Years Forward: Urban communities
Urban development has changed dramatically over the past 20 years and future transformation will continue to occur swiftly. At SMEC, we are preparing for seismic shifts in urban development practices that could potentially rewrite how we design the spaces in which we live and work.
Advancing sustainable road infrastructure in the Federated States of Micronesia
Zahid Iqbal presented a case study on the Sustainable Road Infrastructure Investment Project (SRIIP) at the recent Blue Pacific Infrastructure Conference in Brisbane, Australia. This event was organised by the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council (APIBC). The case study sheds light on sustainable road infrastructure development in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). It highlights the critical role SMEC is playing in advancing this significant endeavor.
Australia’s land is ready for a revolution Part 1
As American President John F. Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” This is especially pertinent in Australia when looking at how we use and redevelop our land.
Australia’s land is ready for a revolution Part 2
In Australia’s land is ready for a revolution – Part 1, I discussed the opportunities for industrial transformation in Australian regional centres and how these changes could take shape. In Part 2, I look more closely at key considerations for the redevelopment of land.
Ready
to
connect?
Talk to one of our global specialists about our Urban Development solutions.