Senate Inquiry Into Stormwater Management

24 April 2015

Committee Secretary Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications PO Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600

Re: Senate Inquiry into Stormwater Management

The Cooks River is a unique urban waterway located in the inner South West of Sydney. The River runs through some of the most heavily urbanised and industrialised areas in Australia. However, many parts of the river and its foreshores offer beautiful riverside walkways and cycle paths, wonderful parks and facilities and an abundance of native flora and fauna. Over recent years, the condition of the river has improved considerably, due in large part to the efforts of stakeholders and the local community, yet it remains a heavily polluted river with much more to be done. The Cooks River Alliance (the Alliance) is a partnership of eight councils – Ashfield, Bankstown, Canterbury, City of Sydney, Hurstville, Marrickville, Rockdale and Strathfield – who are working together with communities for a healthy Cooks River catchment. More information about the Cooks River Alliance is available here: www.cooksriver.org.au A healthier River and a resilient catchment are vitally important outcomes for the Alliance, with incremental progress made every day. Supporting the small but significant remaining areas of bushland and the much-loved and used open spaces on the River are important goals for the Alliance and the many communities in the catchment. The Alliance Management Plan outlines our long-term outcomes, which hinge on effective storm water management and improving stormwater quality.

The Alliance recognises that improving the Cooks River catchment requires knowledge, innovation, cooperation, collaboration and actions. The Alliance and Cooks River communities will see success when the following outcomes are realised: 1. The quality and volumes of water flowing to the Cooks River from all parts of the catchment better reflect the natural water cycle 2. Natural habitats are thriving and connected across the catchment 3. Communities actively participate to improve the health of the catchment 4. The Alliance councils have a high capacity for, and are known for, their leadership in sustainable urban water and catchment management 5. Accessible, centralised and up-to-date information about the catchment is readily available 6. The catchments resilience to pressures from changing environments has increased

http://cooksriver.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Cooks-River-Alliance-Management-Plan-2014_final-draft_20-June- 2014.pdf accessed 23/4/2015 p.5

------The Cooks River Alliance is a partnership between Ashfield Council, Bankstown City Council, City of Canterbury, City of Sydney, Hurstville City Council, Marrickville Council, Rockdale City Council and Strathfield Council Together with the communities living in the Cooks River catchment, and other local, state and federal government agencies, the Alliance works towards a healthier River and a liveable catchment that includes continuous improvement in the management of stormwater. We are engaged with a range of agencies working towards Sydney becoming a Water Sensitive City.1 Our member Councils are building their capacity in, and in many cases, employing water- sensitive urban design (WSUD) in their jurisdictions.

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is a contemporary approach to the planning and design of urban environments that is ‘sensitive’ to the issues of water sustainability, resilience and environmental protection. WSUD has evolved from its early association with stormwater management to focus on integrating the urban water cycle (including potable water, wastewater and stormwater) into built and natural urban landscape to provide multiple benefits to society. It is linked to Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) and Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM), with a focus on sustainable management of urban water resources and environmental protection.

http://watersensitivecities.org.au/2013/blueprint/blueprint2013.pdf accessed 24/4/2015 p.11

The Senate Committee’s Terms of Reference provides a framework for comments.

a. The quantum of stormwater resource in Australia and impact and potential of optimal management practices in areas of flooding, environmental impacts, waterway management and water resource planning; Issues to consider: • There is much community confusion about the delivery and removal of water, about who is responsible for stormwater, sewerage and the delivery of potable water, and the use of grey water. It is difficult to engage with people about these issues unless there is an adverse event – even then they often believe that it is someone else’s problem to solve, not theirs. • Very few people have a concept of what stormwater is, where it comes from and where it goes to, and what its potential is to enhance the environment. Underground drains are hidden from public view, open stormwater channels are often eye-sores, full of litter, and regarded as dangerous. • There is an important delineation between rainwater that falls and is channelled by the infrastructure and run-off that is usually an excess of potable water being used for a range of purposes. • Many urban rivers have been altered significantly over the past 228 years through development, flooding, erosion etc., with the result that their hydrology and ecology is usually changed for the worse. • Many beneficial outcomes can result from local, state and federal governments working together to lead and co-invest for liveable outcomes and healthier rivers. The Alliance is currently working with funding from all 3 levels of government to improve the quality and quantity of stormwater flowing into the Cooks River. • It is vitally important to increase catchment resilience by identifying the effects of changing environmental conditions such as: increased impervious surfaces as a result of urban development; impacts of feral plants and animals; pollution in a variety of

1 http://watersensitivecities.org.au/what-is-a-water-sensitive-city/ accessed 24/4/2015 ------The Cooks River Alliance is a partnership between Ashfield Council, Bankstown City Council, City of Canterbury, City of Sydney, Hurstville City Council, Marrickville Council, Rockdale City Council and Strathfield Council forms, and changes in climate regimes. Even more importantly, it is vital to find ways to mitigate resulting pressures. b. the role of scientific advances in improving stormwater management outcomes and integrating these into policy at all levels of government to unlock the full suite of economic benefits; Issues to consider: • The Cooks River Alliance benefits from, and acts on, research undertaken by several bodies including the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC). c. the role of stormwater as a positive contributor to resilient and desirable communities into the future, including 'public good' and productivity outcomes; Issues to consider: • The potential for stormwater to contribute to liveable communities is vast, including: providing landscape benefits, increased public amenity, increased recreation opportunities, and better habitat for native plants and animals. d. model frameworks to develop economic and policy incentives for stormwater management; Issues to consider: • The Cooks River catchment would no doubt benefit from effective work in this area, especially if it included densely populated catchment scenarios. e. model land use planning and building controls to maximise benefits and minimise impacts in both new and legacy situations; Issues to consider: • There would be many benefits if Local Government Areas were based on river catchments. • The Cooks River catchment would no doubt benefit from effective work in this area, especially if it included densely populated catchment scenarios. • WSUD should have a strong role in Planning legislation, especially for the design of new medium and high density buildings. f. funding models and incentives to support strategic planning and investment in desirable stormwater management, including local prioritisation; Issues to consider: • The Cooks River catchment would no doubt benefit from effective work in this area, especially if it included densely populated catchment scenarios. • The benefits of WSUD must be measured and the knowledge and skills shared to get the best outcomes for people, rivers and landscapes. g. asset management and operations to encourage efficient investments and longevity of benefit; Issues to consider: • There will be many benefits for people, rivers and landscapes if local, state and federal governments, together with industry and research bodies, work together to lead and fund sustainable, efficient and long lasting stormwater solutions.

------The Cooks River Alliance is a partnership between Ashfield Council, Bankstown City Council, City of Canterbury, City of Sydney, Hurstville City Council, Marrickville Council, Rockdale City Council and Strathfield Council h. the role of innovation in supporting desirable outcomes and transparent decision-making, including access to information and novel technologies for planning, design and implementation; Issues to consider: • WSUD is being implemented in a variety of locations across the Cooks River catchment. Each of these projects are, to some degree, innovative and experimental. Sharing the learnings is imperative, and so is upskilling a range of professionals including engineers, landscape architects, architects, and plumbers etcetera.

i. any related matters. Issues to consider: • In a catchment like the Cooks River’s, most of the river’s tributaries are stormwater drains, unseen and unconsidered – often carrying unseen litter and pollution into the river. If we improve people’s understanding about stormwater, we may see improvements in the health of the streams. • Attention should be drawn to the issues in the top of catchments, since improvements there will benefit the entire catchment. Controlling flow, weeds and toxins upstream will give tangible results. • If we can clean up stormwater and slow it down close to its source, there will also be great environmental benefits. Currently, rainwater that falls in the Cooks River catchment rushes to Botany Bay primarily through stormwater drains and wide concrete-lined channels, without much benefit to the landscape. • The Alliance has plans to encourage catchment residents to slow the flow of rainwater on their residential blocks with a variety of interventions including raingardens and watertanks. This links to the installation of many municipal bio-retention systems (WSUD interventions) across the catchment.

This submission does not necessarily represent the opinions of member councils, some of whom may also make submissions. However, it does provide some perspectives from our organisation. We trust your committee will consider the many issues, and we look forward to reading its report later this year.

Sincerely,

Cath Renwick Participation Coordinator, Cooks River Alliance www.cooksriver.org.au