Can Australia Outsmart Drought with Data?

A$11.8m IoT hub aims to make the nation’s water systems more efficient and climate-resilient

3 Nov 2025

Australia is testing whether digital intelligence can keep its taps running. A new Industrial Transformation Research Hub, backed by A$5m from the Australian Research Council and A$11.8m in total support, promises to modernise how the country manages water. The ARC Research Hub for the Internet of Things for Water, led by Queensland University of Technology (QUT), brings together six universities and a range of utilities and technology firms.

The hub’s mission is to weave sensors, data analytics and automation into a single system that can detect leaks, predict failures and optimise network performance in real time. “This is about turning data into action,” said a lead researcher at QUT. “We want to give utilities the tools to predict issues before they become crises.”

The need is pressing. As droughts deepen and climate variability increases, water utilities face mounting strain. Smarter infrastructure could help conserve scarce resources, reduce energy use and make maintenance more efficient. Analysts reckon such investment may position Australia as a regional leader in smart-water technology.

Obstacles are not trivial. Many water networks rely on aging pipes and analogue controls that resist digital integration. Cybersecurity risks also grow as systems become more connected. Still, most experts think the trade-off is worth it. “The next decade will be defined by intelligent infrastructure,” observed one industry strategist. “Those who adapt first will define the global standard.”

The ARC IoT for Water hub is thus more than a research project. It is a test of whether technology and sustainability can flow together. If successful, it could serve as a blueprint for a resilient, efficient and data-driven water industry, one that anticipates problems rather than merely reacts to them.