Post war development in Australia saw large scale urbanisation. Land being cleared for housing and industry necessitated widespread concrete drainage and sewerage systems. Infrastructure for a rapidly growing population came at a cost to the landscape and environment.
As far back as 1984, the City of Salisbury in South Australia set about addressing both this problem and the need to develop a less polluting method of stormwater management and flood control. Commonly, stormwater containing unknown quantities of rubbish, chemical and bacterial pollution is carried through concrete drains directly into local waterways and eventually the ocean.
In its Para Hills Paddocks, Greenfields and other projects, Salisbury has been harnessing stormwater as a resource. As well as rehabilitating the local landscape, this has provided extensive passive recreational facilities for local residents and visitors, created habitat for indigenous flora and fauna and reduced the wider impact of stormwater entering the marine environment.
The Greenfields Wetlands project includes an extensive system of landscaped lagoons providing a flood retention facility, a natural filter for pollutants, as well as boardwalks, bird hides and environmental education and eco tourism facilities.
The Para Hills Paddocks development features a community sports and recreation complex with an accompanying landscape of lakes and wetlands using stormwater from a 60 hectare residential site. Data gathered to date indicates it already plays a significant role in reducing flooding and pollution.
The obvious benefits are to be seen in the provision of playing fields, walking tracks, picnic facilities, the attraction of native fauna and the creation of a more attractive local environment.
Peak flows have been significantly reduced lessening demand on downstream drainage systems. Tests conducted by the Engineering and Water Supply Department of South Australia have also indicated a significant drop in pollution levels.
“Integration of stormwater management and urban open space design goes a long way to providing ecologically sustainable development,” said Colin Pitman, City Engineer at Salisbury. “Costs of this far sighted project are estimated to be similar to the provision and maintenance of conventional stormwater management.”
For further information contact Salisbury’s Engineering Department, telephone (08) 8259 1222.
