Sustainable Urban Development
Melbourne is growing - it is estimated that by 2030 Melbourne’s population will increase by one million. As the drainage and floodplain authority for the Port Phillip and Westernport region, it is our job to make sure that as Melbourne grows, people and property are protected from floods and our rivers and creeks stay healthy.
To achieve these aims we:
- create guidelines for developers to ensure urban development meets appropriate standards of drainage and flood protection
- work with councils and developers to provide infrastructure in new growth areas that can protect the health of our rivers and creeks
- play a key role in managing the redevelopment of existing urban areas to minimise the impact of stormwater runoff into rivers and creeks.
Drainage system standards
Urban drainage system standards have increased as Melbourne has grown. The principal standards that govern drainage system design are:
- Underground drainage systems should have a 1-in-5 year flood capacity
- Overland flow paths, floodways, floodplains and retarding basins combined should provide a 1-in-100 year flood capacity without affecting public safety, or increasing flood levels on upstream or downstream properties
- Rivers and creeks should have stable beds and banks, vegetated with indigenous plants
- Litter and sediment should be effectively screened to remove 70% of litter and 80% of sediment
- Nutrients should be treated to remove 45% of nitrogen and phosphorous.
These standards are supported by further guidelines relating to the location and design of buildings.
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Working with councils, developers and landowners
We receive applications for urban subdivisions and other developments from local councils. This allows us to comment on applications and, if necessary, place conditions on planning permits to ensure that the drainage system continues to function properly and any new developments are adequately designed to both protect people and property from floods and protect the health of local waterways.
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Water sensitive urban design
In recent years there has been a trend away from hard-engineered drainage solutions, such as pipes and channels, to more environmentally sensitive open waterways and wetlands projects.
We strongly encourage all developers to use 'distributed' water sensitive urban design treatment measures, such as raingardens or rainwater tanks, which help improve and protect river health by removing pollutants at or near their source.
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