Environmental concerns get top billing in Infrastructure Australia priority list for first time

Protecting against coastal flooding, boosting recycling and ensuring water security are now high priority initiatives

Rising sea levels, water security and waste management are among the environmental challenges that Infrastructure Australia has, for the first time, elevated to the top tier of its priorities list.

In its latest list, to be released on Wednesday, Infrastructure Australia said it was elevating environmental concerns because climate change was altering the water cycle and was projected to cause sea level rises of 0.4 to 0.6 metres. It also cited a renewed focus on "resilience" in the face of natural disasters.