The Surf Coast Shire Council adopted new Stormwater Treatment Asset Selection and Design Standards at its March Council meeting.
This will help ensure future developments within the shire include appropriately designed and well-functioning Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) assets.
Drawing on findings from efforts to improve the health of the Karaaf Wetlands, Council identified that there was an opportunity to document information for developers to:
- outline Council’s expectations
- 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.
Storm water assets such as constructed wetlands, sediment ponds, bio retention swales, and gross pollutant traps play a key role in the treatment of stormwater by improving its quality.
Surf Coast Shire Mayor Liz Pattison said Council engaged specialist consultants to develop the standards, with experience of developing similar documents elsewhere.
“These new standards reflect what we have learned about the impact storm water has on places like the Karaaf wetlands,” Cr Pattison said.
“We’re lifting our game by setting clear expectations for developers to design and deliver infrastructure that protects our environment across the shire.
“It’s so important that we facilitate responsible development that meets best practice environmental standards.”
On Monday 4 March Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek visited Torquay after the Australian government committed $1.9M to help protect the Karaaf Wetlands.
This work is in partnership with Surf Coast Shire Council, Barwon Water, other agencies, and the broader community.
