Supporting Sustainable Urban Water Management

Clearwater has established a training program that is of significant benefit to the stormwater industry and allows the sustainability principles developed by researchers to be promulgated to a broader community for implementation.  The program has been going for a number of years, during which time it has developed an unrivalled reputation for delivering quality programs which engage at a variety of levels and across disciplines.

The growth of Clearwater is clearly evident in its expanding range of programs which range from half day workshops, peer to peer learning and networking events through to more extensive delivery programs which are tailored for professionals upgrading or developing their skillsets and include:

·         MUSIC, STORM and audit tools for design

·         Raingardens essentials

·         Stormwater harvest and reuse

·         Integrated urban water management

·         Hot Topics seminars

·         Kingston WSUD tours

Facility for Advanced Water Biofiltration

The main aims of the FAWB research project were to:

·         Provide scientific “proof of concept” for the application of stormwater biofilter technologies so that greater certainty is afforded to all stakeholders in relation to the choice and design of such technologies

·         Facilitate industry-wide adoption and implementation of the technology after proof-of-concept is established.

FAWB’s has developed a suite of innovative stormwater biofilter technologies which is underpinned by:

·         New scientific knowledge about the key physical, chemical, and biological performances of stormwater biofilters

·         Design specifications for biofilters that form the basis for written technical guidelines to accompany legislation/regulation;

·         Algorithms that will assist in the design of ‘next generation’ biofilters for a wide range of applications;

·         Prototypes of modular units for specific applications (e.g. device for stormwater treatment and re-use at the level of an individual household or a single commercial site).

The scientific approach to undertaking research into biofiltration and the field validation of biofilter performance will allow the industry to move forward in a broader implementation of raingarden type treatments at a variety of scales,while at the same time delivering improved waterway health and hydraulic outcomes as well as supporting the broader use of stormwater as a resource for passive and active irrigation.

In awarding the winning entry the judges were impressed by the example set by FAWB of a research program with good results and focus.

Afton Street Stormwater Project

The judges noted that Moonee Valley City Council was to be commended for taking up the opportunity to retrofit stormwater quality treatment in a highly developed urban environment, to mitigate the worst effects of a conventional drainage system.  This project offers additional benefits through stormwater harvesting for watering sporting ovals and habitat enhancement along the Maribyrnong River. The Council's multi-disciplinary, multi-organisational approach, coupled with a community consultation program, exemplifies a "best practice" design process.  This delivered a project with multiple benefits for all concerned. 

The opportunities for new constructed wetlands within the inner urban area of Melbourne can be limited. The initiative of Moonee Valley Council to prioritise stormwater treatment and harvesting on this site is to be commended. It is important that opportunities such as this are identified early in land use planning; the wetland will offer multiple benefits to the community for both passive and active recreational amenity.

Doncaster Hill Building and Public Realm WSUD Strategy Masterplan

The Doncaster Hill Activity Centre has the vision of becoming a high density urban area and the local planning provisions are supportive of good environmental development. 

As part of the Masterplanning process for Doncaster Hill Civic Precinct EDAW AECOM developed a WSUD strategy plan. The strategy represents the next wave of "best practice", through its emphasis on a wider range of benefits that can be delivered through stormwater management.   Project benefits include quality treatment, harvesting and reuse, direct irrigation, storm flow mitigation, cooling and shade through enhanced vegetation, provision of natural water elements and increased site amenity.  The interaction between the different design elements and the approach to integrating WSUD elements into the built form and landscape also demonstrate an evolution beyond previous stormwater management plans. 

Urban scapes can be the most difficult to integrate best practise stormwater management. At Doncaster Hill this has been integrated at a Masterplanning phase demonstrating a leading edge in urban planning and redevelopment. The Masterplan proposal for Doncaster Hill presents a building setting and precinct that truly integrates stormwater treatment into the public realm. The form and layout of the public space surrounding the building all hinges off requirements for stormwater management whilst providing a landscape that will engage the community and raise awareness of stormwater management.

Kalkallo Stormwater Harvesting and Re-Use Project

The Kalkhalo stormwater harvesting project provides an excellent example of what the future could hold if water resource planning was universally conducted from a holistic viewpoint.  Taking a broader view Yarra Valley Water engaged with other stakeholders in planning water resource options for the proposed Kalkhalo industrial development on the outskirts of Melbourne.  An integrated water management investigation identified that the high cost of stormwater infrastructure, and the ongoing impacts of stormwater discharge to the environment made stormwater harvesting for potable substitution the most effective option for the development area. 

The project is still in the early phases of implementation but there are a strong economic, scientific, community and environmental drivers which give Yarra Valley Water a strong commitment to ‘push the envelope’ and deliver a truly integrated water management outcome.

The judges felt that the Kalkhalo stormwater harvesting project was an exciting development in stormwater management and commented that it would prove to be an exciting prospect to follow the project as it progresses.

Stonnington Depot

Council and Melbourne Water utilised the services of STORM_CONSULTING (STORM) to develop a Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) for the new state of the art Stonnington Depot site. The project was driven by a number of influences and trends such as: displaying leadership, construction of a new council facility, reducing the impacts of water restrictions, being responsible in reducing contribution to climate change, drought management, and the ever increasing need to conserve our precious water resources.
 
The goal of the WSUD design was to minimise the potential impacts the new site could have on Gardiners Creek and reduce the potable water consumption of the site. Raingardens, rainwater tanks, truck wash water treatment and recycling and permeable pavement designed by STORM work together to synergise all that is sustainable water management.

Dorset Square Carpark Redevelopment

The Dorset Square carpark redevelopment is a high quality project demonstrating to local traders and residents the benefits of Water Sensitive Urban Design.  The overall aesthetic and functional improvement in the carpark is a key factor in the success of this project.  The integration of Water Sensitive Urban Design has been well thought out and brings benefits of quality treatment, reduced flow and elimination of spot flooding, reduced Council watering of trees, and the introduction of 70 trees within a sea of concrete and asphalt. The use of permeable paving is a clever solution to a new shared car and pedestrian area. The Council is now replicating this approach in other carparks within the City of Knox. 

This project demonstrates how stormwater management can be incorporated into our everyday urban environment to achieve, flood mitigation, stormwater treatment, a greener outlook and provide visual amenity and control. The effective removal of steps (kerbs etc) whilst retaining demarcation is innovative and incorporates easy access within the overall objectives.

Regional Action in Water Sensitive Urban Design

An Inner Melbourne Region that embodies creativity, livability, prosperity and sustainability in a range of diverse neighborhoods. A region where the 19th century character informs modern development to create pedestrian oriented places – places that support a tolerant and inclusive community and provide a variety of experiences and opportunities for residents, workers and visitors; a region that responds to its capital city role by supporting arts, entertainment, retail, regional facilities and the functions of the port.

The regional approach to creating a liveable and more sustainable city is the cornerstone of IMAP Action 9.3 which aims to Substantially improve the environmental performance of the Inner Melbourne Region, in part by  developing a regional approach and strategy to achieve water sensitive design including:

·         developing a common Local Planning Scheme Policy encouraging new developments to be more water efficient;

·         encouraging new developments to minimize storm water run-off by re-using rainwater and recycling waste water;

·         providing information, education and professional development opportunities; and

·         encouraging landscape designs for new development to maximise use of permeable surfaces wherever possible.

The entry provides a thorough approach to the issue of WSUD and provides many good examples of its approaches in the WSUD guidelines and will provide an excellent benchmark for other Councils to adopt and build upon across the broader Melbourne region.

Taking Melbourne by Storm Water Sensitive Urban Design Local Planning Policy

Bayside has been able to achieve what many Councils have been trying to achieve for many years ie.  To provide legislative support for their environmental objectives within their Planning scheme.  Approval of their amendment paves the way for all other Association of Bayside Municipalities to incorporate similar provisions in their planning schemes and eventually for the provisions to be included in State wide provisions of planning schemes.

It is expected that the leadership shown by Bayside in putting the amendment forth will pave the way for other Councils to do likewise.  The arguments, strategies and policy instruments can be used as a template for other municipalities to follow.

The City of Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market project demonstrates how a reduction in potable water demand can be achieved on a site with limited space and intricate heritage requirements, incorporating the use of existing drainage infrastructure.

This water capture and recycling scheme offers numerous

environmental benefits.  Previously the water was lost as untreated stormwater into Port Phillip Bay.  THe high quality roofwater was separated from the surface water drainage and collected and stored in a 600,000 litre underground tank.  The tank provides a new water source for the Queen Street public toilets, having the capacity to provide 40 days worth of toilet flushing.  It is expected the rainwater harvesting scheme will save the Queen Victoria Market over 5 million litres of drinking water each year.

The decreased stormwater discharge from Queen Victoria Market will reduce pressure on nearby drainage infrastructure and reduce the stormwater pollutant load to the Yarra River and the Bay.

Queen Victoria Market Rainwater Harvesting Scheme

Trinity Grammar Stormwater Harvesting Scheme

The Trinity wetland project represents an excellent example of co-operation to achieve a win, win, win outcome for all stakeholders.

The project was delivered with assistance from DSE and Melbourne Water through its Living Rivers Stormwater Program which allowed Council to develop in-house capacity to design and deliver future wetland projects.

The wetland and stormwater harvest pond were conceived to provide Council with a half million dollar saving in drainage costs by allowing large storm events to be routed through Trinity’s land; the school was able to enlarge a storage dam to potentially capture 80ML of water to provide irrigation of its ovals while a wetland was constructed to ensure that the water quality was suitable for intended use.  The location of the wetland and drainage path ensured that a nationality significant remnant dryland billabong was protected and the biodiversity values of the original valley floor were reinstated.  A Memorandum of Understanding prepared between the Council and school articulated the needs of both parties and desired outcomes and was invaluable during the project delivery phase.