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Page Last Updated:
Monday, 21 May 2012
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Home>Council Services>Planning & Building>Planning>Saving Water with Smarter Design
Better, smarter design principles are set to save our local water resources. It's all part of an approach called 'Water Sensitive Urban Design' (WSUD). Traditionally, stormwater management has focused on the safe flow of stormwater to minimise possible flooding. Of equal importance is the quality of stormwater that leaves properties and the ability to use it as a resource for sustainable land use.
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| New WSUD Policy adopted - Knox City Council - Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) Policy | | Council, at its Meeting held on 8 May 2012, adopted a WSUD Policy.
The inclusion of WSUD principles through a Council Policy enables Council to deliver on the aims established within the Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) & Stormwater Management Strategy 2012, by incorporating the principles of WSUD into Council projects and planning applications. The Policy links to a procedure which aids Council investment in the construction of WSUD systems, where environmental gains can be made for the optimal cost.
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| Smart Thinking, Strategic Improvements | | Council's Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and Stormwater Management strategy aims to protect and improve the health of Knox’s streams and creeks for current and future generations, at the same time as ensuring flooding impacts are minimised.
The vision of the strategy is for 'WSUD to contribute to a more liveable, sustainable and productive municipality'. For more information on the vision refer to item 1.3 in the WSUD and Stormwater Management Strategy 2010 file. The strategy presents a carefully prioritised plan for the planning, implementation and maintenance of WSUD systems, outlining goals and actions to improve Council’s existing WSUD management and planning processes and activities.
Click here to view the strategy WSUD and Stormwater Management Strategy 2010
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| What is a Raingarden? | | A raingarden resembles a regular garden bed, except that it has layers of sandy soil beneath. A raingarden is a water sensitive garden that receives stormwater from hard surfaces such as a downpipe from a roof, paved areas or driveways. Raingardens filter and slow the rate of stormwater drains on to rivers, creeks and bays.
For more information click here
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| So Many Benefits from Better Design |
 | Improving urban landscape through better stormwater treatment. | | Reducing soluble solids, phosphorous and nitrogen and various other matter to protect water quality. | | Cutting pollution. | | Protecting natural environment. | | Limiting stormwater flows runoff and peak flows to reduce impact of erosion of waterways. | | Cutting demand for irrigation. | | Adding value while minimising development costs. | | Using more recycled water. | | Maintaining groundwater or improving it. | | Protecting Knox's streams and creeks as well as the flora and fauna they support. | | Improving integration with the local drainage system.
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| A Kit for You at Home | | We've got great ideas to help you improve the health of Knox’s streams and creeks, reduce flooding issues and reduce the ‘heat island effect’:
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| What is a water sensitive design home and how can it help improve the environment click here | | Installing a rainwater tank click here | | Building a raingarden inground click here | | Building a raingarden in a planter box click here | | Plants information for raingardens in Knox - click on the link 'Building Raingardens in Knox' at the bottom of this page. | | Water Sensitive Urban Design Systems in Knox - click on the link at the bottom of this page.
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| So What's Happening in Knox Right Now? | | "Self Guided Raingarden Tour coming soon!"
Council has incorporated WSUD measures as part of its construction works in delivering part of its Capital Works Programs over recent years. A list of the latest achievements can be viewed on the link below.
A broad cross section of WSUD projects and stormwater improvements have been achieved by Council over the past years.
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| Water Sensitive Urban Design Systems in Knox - to view click on the link at the bottom of this page.
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| Wicks Reserve - Bio-infiltration Basin | | Wicks Reserve - Bio-infiltration Basin has received a State Award and International interest.
For further information and FAQs click here
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| WSUD Guidelines | | Council has established guidelines to help developers and their consultants apply WSUD principles into land development proposals. These guidelines must be considered to ensure developments include works to address the quality of stormwater runoff consistent with the intent of State Environmental Protection Policies, Melbourne 2030 and the Knox Planning Scheme.
Council’s guidelines include:
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| An overview of WSUD | | Benefits of WSUD | | Performance Objectives and details for Knox catchments | | WSUD Principles | | Issues and Challenges | | Guidelines and Measures
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| Apart from Council requirements that all new development match 'pre-development' stormwater run-off levels, the guidelines are not meant to be prescriptive. Rather, they provide a range of opportunities and techniques that can be employed to achieve primary objectives.
Council’s guidelines should be considered at the pre-planning stage of a development proposal, as application of WSUD principles can have a bearing on the design and layout of a proposal.
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| WSUD Websites | | There is a range of other helpful online information you can access:
Melbourne Water’s website www.wsud.melbournewater.com.au includes information about WSUD principles, various treatment tools available for implementation, local case studies and various resources useful for those developing land.
Also, of interest is WSUD within the Sydney region www.wsud.org. containing various links to other WSUD websites and providing case studies and pictures from WSUD examples across Australia, as well as research reports and general literature on application of WSUD principles.
The Clearwater Program promotes information exchange through their website www.clearwater.asn.au , which brings together achievements, learnings, knowledge and experience of local governments, state governments and industries in urban stormwater management. The website provides a useful forum for knowledge building, communication and information exchange across Victoria.
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| For more information please contact | | Knox City Council
City Development - Planning Services
511 Burwood Highway
Wantirna South Vic 3152
Telephone: 03 9298 8125
Facsimile: 03 9801 0389
NRS: 133 677 (quote '03 9298 8000')
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