Service Updates

We are prioritising critical services and some services may be reduced. This means there will be longer wait times for customers contacting us by phone. Many of our services are available online. Advice on which services can continue is changing rapidly. For regular updates, go to knox.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

Home>Your City> Roads, Streets and Stormwater Drainage

Roads, Streets and Stormwater Drainage

The road network is critical to the broad accessibility and amenity of the municipality. As well as local and through traffic, freight and public transport depend on an efficient road network.

These pages detail a number of issues relating to the provision, maintenance and safety of roads in Knox.

Road Closures

All enquiries from the public regarding road closures should be directed to VicRoads - Road Closures.

What is stormwater?

Stormwater is rainfall that flows across land. The majority of stormwater flows into drains which connect to one of our many creeks and then flows on to Port Phillip Bay. Some stormwater can also soak into the soil and into the ground water table or sit on the surface and evaporate.
In natural landscapes such as forests, the plants hold a great deal of water on their leaves and branches when it rains, with the earth absorbing a great deal of water as well and keeping it close to where it falls. Here in Knox City however, the majority of our landscape is hard surfaces such as roofs, roads and carparks. When it rains here, water moves very quickly to low points, carrying various pollutants with it. And in some situations during heavy downpours, flooding can also occur so we need to manage our water carefully to ensure that it is used efficiently and reduce flood impact on life and property.

Why should we care about stormwater?

Stormwater flows into our waterways and on to Port Phillip Bay without being treated, unlike our septic system (toilet, bathroom, kitchen etc.) which is part of our sewerage system and is treated before being released into the Bass Strait. It is important therefore, to make sure that stormwater is as free of rubbish and pollutants as possible.

Over 55% of land use in Knox City is residential so when it rains the chances are high that it falls on your roof, goes down your downpipes and into the stormwater system
If it lands on your garden or grass it will soak up the soil or flow to the low point of your property, taking things like garden chemicals, debris and dog poo with it and ultimately much of this will go into the stormwater system
Pollution can impact our wildlife due to poor water quality in our creeks and rivers. Fast flowing water creates issues with erosion and flooding.

How to improve stormwater quality & reduce flooding

There are a number of steps you can take to help improve the quality of the stormwater from your property and also reduce the chance of flooding.

Collect & store runoff from your roof in a rainwater tank to water your garden and to flush the toilet
Direct your downpipes and gutters to drain onto lawn, garden beds so that rain soaks into the soil
Use mulch, bricks, gravel or other porous surfaces for walkways, patios and driveways so that water can soak into the ground
Reduce soil erosion by planting groundcovers and placing mulch on exposed soil under trees or on steep slopes
Create a raingarden, swale or terracing to catch, slow, hold and filter stormwater
Pick up after your pets and collect rubbish to stop it entering the drains.