That was the theme of a workshop in the city yesterday featuring leading experts in the field.

Former Bracks government minister John Thwaites said he was convinced this was the “way to go for better living for families”.

Professor Thwaites is chair of the Monash Sustainability Institute and works as a water and climate change consultant with major Melbourne legal firm Maddocks Lawyers.

Yesterday’s Water Smart Cities conference also heard from international water sensitive urban design expert Professor Tony Wong.

Professor Wong is the chief executive of CRC for Water Sensitive Cities.

North East Water board member Rowan O’Hagan said the forum focused on the development of the Leneva growth corridor.

“The corridor has been identified as the appropriate area for the city’s future growth and is a blank canvas,” Dr O’Hagan said.

“We’re excited to have such a high calibre of participants taking part, which will help bring about innovative, strategic thinking.”

Professor Thwaites said there was strong support from North East Water and the Wodonga Council to implement this type of water-sensitive design.

“Now we’ve got to make sure we do it at the coalface and this will mean the planning scheme needs to provide for green infrastructure and that developers and the community need to get on board,” he said.

“If we do that we’ll certainly see the growth areas of Wodonga designed in such a way that they’re water sensitive and more liveable places.”

Professor Thwaites said that could be a strong drawcard for people thinking of moving into the area.

He said planting more vegetation and having more water around houses could reduce the temperature for residents during summer.