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Stormwater and Flood ManagementTraffic EngineeringWater Resource ManagementSouth Australia
18 November 2018
Impact of redevelopment on stormwater, an issue for Local Government for planning and management.
They lack the funds to manage effectively. Mawson Lakes hydrologists – looking at effects of WSUD, private water tanks, rain gardens, soakage etc however the results do not indicate that these localised water saving/stormwater management devices have not appeared to address regional stormwater issues. They may not have been built to the original spec (ie the flood modelling will therefore be different). Some aren’t being used.
Does this mean that all this decentralised stormwater management ideas aren’t working/waste of money and is the only answer that we just need large scale stormwater management eg large pipes/drainage.
Ken spoke recently with Unley Council – they are working with Adelaide Uni on a research project that is looking at building underground tanks under streets, linking it with the ‘internet of things’. Eg so when BOM forecast big rain, Council can use this info to manage their underground storages via valves to open/close efficiently. Reducing the oversizing of infrastructure, helps them manage their water supplies for things such as greenspaces etc.
Ideas: instead of individual residents with onsite personal tanks etc (ie cost of stormwater management put on to residents via developers). Should residents contribute to council to provide precinct scale stormwater management solutions? Question – should planning/development approvals include this to address the issues at a broader scale that is more cost-effective.
Ideas: instead of individual residents with onsite personal tanks etc (ie cost of stormwater management put on to residents via developers). Should residents contribute to council to provide precinct scale stormwater management solutions? Question – should planning/development approvals include this to address the issues at a broader scale that is more cost-effective.
Can this issue be managed through the forward infrastructure plans that councils are required to do? Impact of development on council stormwater infrastructure – future proof their drainage?
Planning where development occurs to manage stormwater impacts of the development. Opportunity to work with uni on the use of internet of things to manage the stormwater issues related to development.
Planning where development occurs to manage stormwater impacts of the development. Opportunity to work with uni on the use of internet of things to manage the stormwater issues related to development.
- Work with Mawson Lakes Hydrology gurus to prepare a paper/release their data to clients about how the water tanks/rain gardens (flooding mitigation measures) are being proven not to be working/not having the designed impact
- Talk with our councils to help them include this issue of stormwater flood management into their longer term planning (min 20 year time horizon)
- Work with Adelaide Uni (or others) on the IoT concept, how this can be used.
Key take outs
- Rainwater tanks are not effective during times of flash flooding.
- Are councils preparing for floods when looking at new developments?