Melbourne, Australia

A city of more than 5 million people, Melbourne stands out as a global leader in water management, both on a theoretical and practical basis, facing multiple hazards from climate change. As such, it provides multiple lessons for the future of climate policy and water management based on its experiences, both positive and negative. Melbourne’s position in southeastern Australia renders it vulnerable to El Niño-Southern Oscillation’s (ENSO) interannual variability, as well as teleconnections with the Indian Ocean dipole. Together, these complex phenomena can reinforce or complicate patterns of dry and wet periods, leading to climate extremes shown to be exacerbated by climate change. In response, Melbourne took the lead in decentralized flood management through the development of “water-sensitive cities,” including bioswales, mini-wetlands, and rain gardens. While some of these efforts have worked, studies also show that their piecemeal implementation and dependence on localized activism tends to lead to unequal distribution according to the interest and ability of communities to focus on such paradigms. Still, financial irregularities and political disputes make a concerted water management platform difficult that breaks from the historical trajectory of reactive infrastructure development.