Retrofit of stormwater harvesting scheme in highly urbanised area
The South Bank Rain Bank: Urban stormwater irrigating Brisbane’s iconic parkland
Improving irrigation Case Study reliability and Prepared by Cooperative Research Centre sustainability for high for Water Sensitive Cities, May 2018. profile parkland
Photo credits: South Bank Parklands, Bligh Tanner, CRCWSC Case Study — South Bank Rain Bank CRC for Water Sensitive Cities | 2
The context 3 The drivers 10 The innovations 15 The outcomes 27 The challenges 33 The lessons 36 Case Study — South Bank Rain Bank / The innovations CRC for Water Sensitive Cities | 3
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Project location
Rain Bank is located within the South Bank Parklands. These parklands are located on the southern banks of the Brisbane River, opposite the CBD. The Queensland Government contracts Brisbane City Council to maintain the green spaces within the parklands, Brisbane including horticultural and water operation services.
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Project scale
The South Bank Parklands is a 17.5ha public parkland within the broader South Bank Precinct which is open 365 days a year and is visited by around 11 million people each year. The parklands feature 20 landscaped spaces, water features, swimming and water play areas, rainforest walks, picnic and barbeque areas.
The parklands use approximately 120ML/year of potable water and 60ML/yr of on-site treated water (both harvested stormwater and treated backwash). High quality potable water is required for human consumption and swimming top-up and filter backwash; non-potable demands include irrigation and toilet flushing.
The main South Bank sub-precincts (Source: Business South Bank)
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Project site
Rain Bank is a stormwater harvesting system within the South Bank Parklands which diverts and treats SHIP stormwater runoff generated from a highly urbanised Rain Bank 30 hectare catchment in West End / South Brisbane. The land uses in this catchment include commercial, major road and rail infrastructure, residential and parklands.
Rain Bank is located in the northern section of the South Bank Parklands between the ABC building and the rainforest walk areas. While a lot of the infrastructure is underground, there is a viewing area that allows visitors to see the treatment process.
30 ha Catchment
Rain bank location and catchment
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Collaborators and their roles
South Bank South Bank Corporation was set up as the Lead design Bligh Tanner were engaged as the consultants for Corporation development and management authority for the consultants the design of the Rain Bank scheme. This included South Bank Parklands. They controlled the design, the feasibility studies, HACCP analysis and detailed construction and ongoing operation of the Rain Bank design. scheme. In 2013 the Corporation contracted Brisbane City Council to undertake the management and Water Treatment Stornoway was commissioned to design, manufacture marketing of the parkland's green spaces. Plant Contractor and install the water treatment plant for Rain Bank.
Local Council Brisbane City Council (BCC) are the owners of the Other contractors Stirloch Constructions Pty Ltd – Principal Contractors stormwater pipes which are used in the Rain Bank and consultants McLachlan Lister Pty Ltd − Project Manager scheme and therefore had to provide approval for the Gamble McKinnon Green Pty Ltd – Landscape design of the interception system and extraction of Architects water. BCC now also manage the parklands. Turner & Townsend – Quantity Surveyors Webb Australia Group – Electrical/Mechanical State and Federal State Government, Federal Government and South Engineers Governments Bank Corporation jointly funded the delivery of this Edwards Irrigation Consultants – Irrigation project. The Federal Government contributed $3.3 Consultants million funding from the Water for the Future program, WBM - Catchment water quality monitoring the Queensland Government committed $4.7 million and South Bank Corporation dedicated significant funding to make Rain Bank possible.
Additional Project Queensland Health – water quality control and Advisors management Queensland Water Commission – design principles and policies Case Study — South Bank Rain Bank / The context CRC for Water Sensitive Cities | 8
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Timeline and milestones
Drought conditions facing Long term non-potable Rain Bank concept finalised and Contract for SEQ. South Bank water solutions receives South Bank construction awarded, Corporation starts to investigated and Bligh Corporation board sign-off and including Stornoway brainstorm ideas for Tanner engaged to assist Brisbane City Council licence to engaged to design and alternative irrigation in the process. Concept modify stormwater network. construct water water supply and designs, water balance Completion was delayed for treatment plant. implement initiatives to modelling and water quality several months and re-design of reduce water used for testing undertaken for Rain Rain Bank was required to irrigation and non-potable Bank stormwater accommodate the new ABC demands. harvesting scheme. building at South Bank. Feb