New stormwater treatment design standards for developers

Council has new Stormwater Treatment Asset Selection and Design Standards to better integrate water cycle management into urban planning.

This helps ensure future developments within the Surf Coast Shire include appropriately designed and well-functioning Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD).

As part of our work to improve the health of the Karaaf Wetlands, a set of WSUD standards for developers was identified as an opportunity to outline Council’s expectations and ensure well-designed and performing WSUD assets in new subdivisions.

The development of these standards supports the Council Plan’s environmental objectives through the protection of waterways downstream from new subdivisions.

Water Sensitive Urban Design assets play a key role in the treatment of stormwater by improving its quality. Such assets include, constructed wetlands, sediment ponds, bio retention swales, and gross pollutant traps.

We developed the standards through the engagement of specialist consultants that have also been working with us on the Karaaf
Wetlands project.

On Monday 4 March Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek visited Torquay. The Australian Government committed $1.9M to help protect the Karaaf Wetlands in partnership with Council, Barwon Water, other agencies, and the broader community.

The Karaaf saltmarsh is one of our community’s special places – a home to important flora and fauna. We are working to address stormwater issues and improve the health of these culturally and environmentally significant wetlands.

Image: Karaaf wetlands