Grantus

Hey Reader, When a funding opportunity opens, the deadline can quickly become the focus. Teams rush madly to draft chapters, collect supporting documents and prepare budgets while trying to answer fundamental questions about the project at the same time. That pressure is understandable, and with AI tools staff are producing what can look like a great application, but not necessarily a flash investment. Are you winning more using AI tools?? Strong investments reflect decisions that were made...

The sector faces structural pressures, but leaders still have a major productivity opportunity inside critical workflows. Hey Reader, The Productivity Commission’s National Water Reform inquiry has made productivity a live leadership issue for the water sector. WSAA’s response highlights a sobering measure: conventional productivity data show the utilities sector declining by nearly 40% since 2000–01. On those measures, utilities have been Australia’s weakest-performing industry. The broader...

Hey Reader, To fund or not to fund? Major infrastructure decisions are often presented as binary: approve the project or reject it. But when costs, approvals, funding contributions and delivery conditions are still evolving, neither choice may be responsible. The better decision may be to: fund design but not construction; secure land and approvals before committing the full capital; proceed with an enabling stage; make later expenditure contingent on confirmed demand or co-investment; defer...

Hey Reader, This reflection is not just for water people. Stay with me. Ozwater was held a few weeks ago now, but I've found myself reflecting on it ever since. It's the biggest water industry conference in Australia, with more than 5,000 people attending. I presented on the final day and, after the conference dinner the night before, I wasn't expecting a packed room. Fortunately, one of the messages I received afterwards suggested the presentation landed where it needed to. A distinguished...

Hey Reader, Funding is becoming more competitive and more constrained. For councils, water corporations and regional infrastructure organisations, the strongest position is not waiting for the next funding round to open. It is preparing the evidence and delivery pathway before funding rounds begin. For example, the latest round of the Disaster Ready Fund (Round 4) opened 29 May and closes 1 July 2026. Applicants require quantity surveyor estimates for large quotes, a business case and a cost...

Hey Reader, Public infrastructure investment is entering a more constrained environment. Recent State and Federal budget papers show debt and interest costs continuing to rise sharply. Victoria’s net debt is forecast to approach $200 billion by 2029–30, while Commonwealth net debt is projected to reach $767.8 billion over the same period. For councils, water corporations and infrastructure agencies, this matters because major capital programs are increasingly being assessed through the lens...

Hey Reader, Like my kids at an Easter Egg hunt, I’ve been excitedly trawling the 2026–27 Victorian budget and Commonwealth budgets searching for shiny nuggets that might help with some greatly needed investment in our regions. My take - funded does not always mean open. There’s some welcomed funding for roads and a $2 billion Local Infrastructure Fund announcement from the Feds. But, a lot of what appears in budget papers lack detail, and is often not available to everyone to compete on. Much...

Hey Reader, I can tell you first hand that I can make an investment look good on paper. From writing and reviewing over 70 business cases in the last couple of years and winning close to $0.5b in investment for clients, the hardest part of a business case is embellishing those that can’t answer ‘why we are doing this’. Without attention to process, often the solution becomes the primary focus. When the solution becomes the objective, we are asked to redesign assumptions, uncertainties,...

Hey Reader, This month’s advice recognises funding that backs projects where the problems take place. Early learning infrastructure, community benefit sharing along major energy corridors, inclusive community spaces. Assessors are looking for projects that can be approved quickly. That means sites are secured, stakeholders aligned, approvals in place, and you are ready to hit the ground running. Tip: prove that benefits will continue after you’ve built it. For capital and infrastructure style...

Hey Reader, Most capital programs are developed by adding projects to an ever growing list of ‘must do now’ initiatives. Some are urgent. Some are politically important. Others are routine end of life renewals. What is common with all projects, is that a sponsor has convinced someone that their project makes sense and that it must be done first. Often the rationale for individual projects is moulded around the strategic risk framework, age of an asset or that increased reactive maintenance...