CityCity ofof GreaterGreater GeelongGeelong StormwaterStormwater ManagementManagement PlanPlan
VolumeVolume II FinalFinal ReportReport
City of Greater Geelong Stormwater Management Plan Volume I Final Report
Offices
Prepared For: City of Greater Geelong Brisbane Denver Karratha Prepared By: WBM Oceanics Australia Melbourne Morwell Newcastle Sydney Vancouver
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA DOCUMENT CONTROL SHEET
WBM Oceanics Australia Document: R.W00234.001.02.COGGSWMP.VolI.doc Melbourne Office: Title: City of Greater Geelong Stormwater Management Plan Volume I Level 5, 99 King Street Project Manager: Nick Somes MELBOURNE VIC 3000 Australia Author: Belinda Lovell Client: City of Greater Geelong PO Box 604 Collins Street West VIC 8007 Client Contact: Bruce Humphries Client Reference: 110298 Telephone (03) 9614 6400 Facsimile (03) 9614 6966 Synopsis: This report constitutes the first volume of www.wbmpl.com.au the Stormwater Management Plan developed for the City of Greater Geelong. ACN 010 830 421
REVISION/CHECKING HISTORY
REVISION DATE CHECKED BY ISSUED BY NUMBER 0 12/08/02 NS BL 1 4/09/02 NS BL 2 30/11/02 NS BL
DISTRIBUTION
DESTINATION REVISION 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 City of Greater Geelong 1 1 1 WBM File 1 1 1 WBM Library 1 1 1
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA CONTENTS III
CONTENTS
Contents iii List of Figures iv List of Tables v
1 INTRODUCTION 1-1
1.1 Why has the Stormwater Management Plan Been Developed? 1-1 1.2 What is Stormwater Pollution and Management? 1-2
2 PROCESS- HOW WAS THE PLAN DEVELOPED? 2-1
2.1 Overview 2-1 2.2 What is Risk Assessment and Risk Management? 2-2 2.3 Stakeholder Involvement 2-2 2.4 Outcomes of the Stormwater Management Plan 2-2
3 CITY OF GREATER GEELONG BACKGROUND 3-1
3.1 How is Stormwater Managed in the City of Greater Geelong? 3-2 3.1.1 Stormwater Management in Local Government 3-2 3.1.2 Existing Stormwater Management and Related Environmental Practices 3-2 3.1.3 The Role of Other Agencies in Stormwater Management 3-3
4 LOCAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ISSUES 4-1
4.1 Stormwater Risk Assessment 4-1 4.2 Subcatchment Breakdown 4-1 4.3 Receiving Values- What Are We Trying to Protect? 4-4 4.4 What are the Key Stormwater Threats within the City of Greater Geelong? 4-8 4.5 Priority Risk Issues 4-10
5 MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK REVIEW 5-1
5.1 Coordination and Communication 5-1 5.2 Referrals and the Approvals Process 5-2 5.3 Resources 5-3
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA LIST OF FIGURES IV
5.4 Council Strategic and Regulatory Documentation 5-3 5.5 Regulation and Enforcement 5-4 5.6 Education 5-4 5.7 Summary of Key Management Framework Issues 5-5
6 STORMWATER REUSE 6-1
6.1 Overview 6-1 6.2 Feeding Demand 6-1 6.3 City Of Greater Geelong’s Key Reuse Opportunities 6-2
7 WATER QUALITY MODELLING 7-3
7.1 Introduction 7-3 7.2 Pollutant Export Results 7-3 7.3 Pollutant Export Conclusions 7-3
8 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES 8-1
9 MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIES 9-1
10 SWMP IMPLEMENTATION AND REVIEW 10-11
10.1 Implementation Approach 10-11 10.2 Implementation Monitoring and Review Process 10-11 10.3 Funding and Budget Allocation 10-12
11 CONCLUSIONS 11-1
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2-1 Stormwater Management Planning Process 2-1 Figure 3-1 The City of Greater Geelong 3-1 Figure 4-1 Risk Assessment 4-1 Figure 4-2 Study Subcatchment Locations, City of Greater Geelong 4-3 Figure 8-1 Proposed GPT locations for the North Geelong Subcatchment 8-6 Figure 8-2 Recommended locations of GPTs with Oil and Grease Interceptors for the Breakwater subcatchment. 8-11 Figure 8-3 Swan Bay proposed wetland/treatment train 8-16 Figure 8-4 Location of Selected Structural Treatment Opportunities 8-19 Figure 8-5 Waurn Ponds proposed GPT 8-25
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA LIST OF TABLES V
Figure 8-6 Portarlington proposed GPTs 8-29
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4-1 Study Subcatchment Descriptions 4-2 Table 4-2 Priority Risk Issues 4-10 Table 5-1 Priority Management Framework Issues 5-5 Table 8-1 Risk Management Strategy 1 – Sewer Overflow and Illegal Connections (Rippleside) 8-2 Table 8-2 Risk Management Strategy 2 – Industrial Land Use Runoff (Newcomb) 8-3 Table 8-3 Risk Management Strategy 3 – Industrial Land Use (North Geelong) 8-4 Table 8-4 Risk Management Strategy 4 – Commercial Land Use Runoff (Geelong West and Eastern Beach) 8-7 Table 8-5 Risk Management Strategy 5 – Septic and Sewer Leakage (Newcomb) 8-8 Table 8-6 Risk Management Strategy 6 – Unstable and Degraded Waterways (Clifton Springs) 8-9 Table 8-7 Risk Management Strategy 7 – Industrial Land Use Runoff (Breakwater) 8-10 Table 8-8 Risk Management Strategy 8- Land and Infrastructure Development (Municipality) 8-12 Table 8-9 Risk Management Strategy 9– Industrial Land Use Runoff (Newtown) 8-14 Table 8-10 Risk Management Strategy 10– Residential Land Use Runoff (Swan Bay) 8-15 Table 8-11 Risk Management Strategy 11- Docks and Wharves (Corio) 8-17 Table 8-12 Risk Management Strategy 12- Industrial Land Use Runoff (Rippleside) 8-18 Table 8-13 Risk Management Strategy 13- Residential Land Use Runoff (Rippleside) 8-20 Table 8-14 Risk Management Issue 14 – Major Road Runoff (North Geelong and Geelong West) 8-21 Table 8-15 Risk Management Strategy 15 – Building Site Runoff (Municipality) 8-22 Table 8-16 Risk Management Strategy 16- Residential Land Use Runoff (Waurn Ponds) 8-23 Table 8-17 Risk Management Strategy – 17 Industrial Land Use Runoff (Corio) 8-26 Table 8-18 Risk Management Strategy 18- Residential Land Use Runoff (Ocean Grove) 8-27 Table 8-19 Priority Risk Issue 19- Residential Land Use Runoff (Portarlington) 8-28 Table 8-20 Risk Management Strategy 20- Aging Infrastructure (Geelong West and Newtown) 8-30 Table 9-1 Management Framework Strategy 1 - Education 9-2 Table 9-2 Management Framework Strategy 2 - Council Guidelines 9-3 Table 9-3 Management Framework Strategy 3 – Communication 9-4 Table 9-4 Management Framework Strategy 4 - Referral Process 9-5 Table 9-5 Management Framework Strategy 5 – Community Education 9-6 Table 9-6 Management Framework Strategy 6 – Resources 9-7 Table 9-7 Management Framework Strategy 7 - Regulation and Enforcement 9-8
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA INTRODUCTION 1-1
1 INTRODUCTION
WBM Oceanics Australia was commissioned by the City of Greater Geelong to develop a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) for the municipality. The SWMP has been developed to guide Council in improving the environmental management of stormwater throughout the municipality.
The SWMP provides a framework for integrating stormwater management as part of Council’s existing management and planning activities. In this regard, the SWMP is intended to provide the basis for an ongoing process that is aimed at protecting and enhancing receiving environmental values and beneficial uses that are currently threatened by stormwater runoff.
The Plan has been prepared in four volumes, with this report constituting Volume I. Volume I is an executive summary document, which provides a précis of the overall Stormwater Management Plan.
The following information is presented in Volume II, III and IV of the plan: • Volume II provides detailed information on the approach adopted, recommendations aimed at responding to existing threats to values and suggested improvement to Council’s management framework to limit the future occurrence of stormwater threats; • Volume III provides Appendices that accompany Volume II; and • Volume IV provides a detailed assessment threats and values associated with the stormwater system.
1.1 Why has the Stormwater Management Plan Been Developed?
The City of Greater Geelong’s Stormwater Management Plan has been developed to improve the environmental management of urban stormwater within the municipality. Improvements in environmental management of stormwater runoff from urban areas are necessary to meet the community’s expectations and values regarding the health and quality of local receiving environments.
A number of regional management strategies and actions plans have identified urban stormwater management as a key priority for protecting environmental values within the Geelong region. In addition to this, a State Government initiative to develop Urban Stormwater Management Plans for all local authorities in Victoria has been enacted. The initiative is being conducted and partially funded as part of the Victorian Stormwater Action Program (VSAP).
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA INTRODUCTION 1-2
1.2 What is Stormwater Pollution and Management?
Modification of the natural characteristics of a catchment, through processes such as urban development, has a significant impact on the nature of stormwater runoff. These changes generally manifest in modifications to the natural flow regime and the creation of a multitude of pollutant sources that can contaminate stormwater runoff.
In particular, the process of urbanisation typically causes increased runoff volumes and the introduction of a variety of pollutant sources. These pollutants become entrained in stormwater runoff and are efficiently delivered to the receiving environment. Their accumulation within the receiving environment can result in severe and often irreversible impacts, which ultimately affect the quality of life enjoyed by the community.
Stormwater management is concerned with the development and implementation of a range of strategies to minimise the impacts of stormwater pollution and protect the values of the receiving environment. These strategies can include a range of site-specific structural and non-structural measures as well as plans, policies and procedures aimed at managing activities that could potentially result in stormwater pollution.
Strategies can be formulated with a combination of both structural and non-structural measures. Structural measures are physical works undertaken to either reduce the volume of stormwater pollution generated or to treat stormwater runoff to remove pollutants. Non-structural measures include the application of a range of planning controls, management practices and education programs to prevent stormwater pollution from being generated. Typically a range of structural and non-structural measures is applied to a catchment to mitigate the impacts of stormwater pollution.
The development of a Stormwater Management Plan involves the selection, grouping and recommendation of different measures as part of strategies aimed at protecting receiving environmental values defined by the community.
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA PROCESS- HOW WAS THE PLAN DEVELOPED? 2-1
2 PROCESS- HOW WAS THE PLAN DEVELOPED?
2.1 Overview
The approach which has been adopted in preparing the City of Greater Geelong’s SWMP is consistent with the revised process (August 2000) in Chapter 3 of the Best Practice Environmental Management (BPEM) Guidelines for Stormwater Management (Victorian Stormwater Committee, 1999). These guidelines define a staged process based on four separate study phases: • Preliminary Activities; • Priority Management Issues; • Development of Stormwater Management Plan; and • Finalise Stormwater Management Plan.
The process is primarily concerned with defining Priority Management Issues relating to existing stormwater risks and Council’s Management Framework, and devising strategies that respond to these issues. These concepts are described in more detail as follows: Council’s Management Framework- identifying deficiencies in the management framework and recommending improvements to assist Council in its ongoing day to day planning, design and management activities; and • Stormwater Risks- responding to current risks involves identification and prioritisation of values, threats and risks and the formulation of responsive strategies to manage and minimise impacts to priority values.
Figure 2-1 provides a schematic representation of the process adopted in developing the Stormwater Management Plan. Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4
Finalise Management Plan Preliminary Activities Priority Management Issue Identification Stormwater Development Management Plan
Collate and Values Review Available Assessment Data Stormwater Risk Management Assessment Identify Local Strategies Stormwater Stormwater REACTIVE Submit Management Threats Priority Stormwater Issues & Strengths Management Management Issues Plan
Management Management Framework Framework Review Strategies PROACTIVE
Figure 2-1 Stormwater Management Planning Process
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA PROCESS- HOW WAS THE PLAN DEVELOPED? 2-2
2.2 What is Risk Assessment and Risk Management?
The management of existing stormwater issues has been prioritised using a risk based approach. Risk assessment is concerned with balancing the probability of impact against the consequence of the impact. This was applied in the stormwater management planning process by identifying receiving environmental values and stormwater threats. The aim of the risk assessment was to identify areas where the risk of losing and degrading environmental values was greatest. This was done by considering the threats and values for different areas in the municipality and calculating the risk.
2.3 Stakeholder Involvement
A key feature of the study process was the involvement of stakeholders at three levels. The following three key consultation forums and groups were involved as part of regular workshops and meetings at key stages throughout the development of the SWMP: • The Steering Committee was led by the City of Greater Geelong’s Project Officer (Bruce Humphries) and comprised key representatives from the City of Greater Geelong, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, EPA and Barwon Water. The Steering Committee attended project meetings at key stages throughout the study to review the project status and provide guidance regarding the development of the Stormwater Management Plan. • Project Working Group (PWG) met on four separate occasions during the study, corresponding to each of the separate phases. The PWG was made up of Council Officers, community representatives and representatives from regional and state management authorities. The PWG played a critical role in identifying local issues relevant to stormwater management, defining receiving values and participating in the prioritisation of values and threats, risk assessment and strategy development. • Management Framework Advisory Group (MFAG) participated in three meetings during the study. The MFAG was made up of Council Officers. The MFAG played a critical role in identifying management framework issues relevant to the SWMP, participating in decisions regarding issue prioritisation and strategy development. • Environment Management Strategy Implementation Committee (EMSIC) participated in one briefing/feedback meeting during the study.
2.4 Outcomes of the Stormwater Management Plan
The SWMP contains a number of outcomes that are targeted to assist Council to improve its management activities and respond to priority threats that may impact on environmental and amenity values. Key recommendations or outcomes of the SWMP include • Specific Stormwater Management Strategies that aim to respond to priority risks in the municipality; • Recommendations for improvement of Council’s Management Framework to prevent stormwater degradation before it occurs; and • Identification of an Implementation and Review Program to guide Council in the implementation of the SWMP and continued Best Practice in Stormwater Management.
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA CITY OF GREATER GEELONG BACKGROUND 3-1
3 CITY OF GREATER GEELONG BACKGROUND
The City of Greater Geelong occupies an area of 1,276 km2 and is located approximately 60 km southwest of Melbourne. Figure 3-1 shows the municipality of the City of Greater Geelong. A population in excess of 190,000 people lives within the municipality. Geelong is the major urban centre, with a number of satellite townships distributed throughout the Bellarine Peninsula and rural hinterland.
The Geelong urban centre is located around Corio Bay and contains the major commercial and industrial areas within the municipality. A number of smaller townships are located across the Bellarine Peninsula and include Ocean Grove, Portarlington, Leopold, Lara and Clifton Springs. Large areas of the municipality are rural areas.
Major waterways within the City of Greater Geelong include the Barwon River, Moorabool River, Waurn Ponds Creek, Armstrong Creek and Sutherlands Creek, which all drain to Bass Strait. In addition, there is Hovells Creek, Cowies Creek that drain to Corio Bay, Kewarra Creek that drains to Port Phillip and the Little River that forms the north-eastern boundary of the municipality. Significant lakes and wetlands that occur within the municipality include, Lake Borrie, Lake Connewarre/ Reedy Lake/ Hospital Swamp, Lake Victoria, Lake Lorne and Begola Wetlands.
Figure 3-1 The City of Greater Geelong
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA CITY OF GREATER GEELONG BACKGROUND 3-2
3.1 How is Stormwater Managed in the City of Greater Geelong?
3.1.1 Stormwater Management in Local Government
Local Government plays an important role in managing stormwater at a local and often regional level. Council’s “day to day” management function with respect to land use planning, infrastructure and the provision of services, provides an ideal basis for managing stormwater to achieve local and regional environmental outcomes. In this regard, stormwater management activities usually occur within local government via: • The implementation and management of infrastructure, programs and plans specifically aimed at mitigating a known stormwater pollution threat (eg. a gross pollutant trap); and • Ongoing day to day activities which form a part of Council’s management framework including planning, coordination, communication, development approvals, policy, regulation and education.
The first of these activities can be labelled as reactive stormwater management, while the second can be labelled as pro-active. If Council’s management framework (ie. the 2nd activity) is operating effectively, this reduces the need for reactive stormwater management through the implementation of site specific mitigation devices and plans.
3.1.2 Existing Stormwater Management and Related Environmental Practices
Stormwater quality and environmental management initiatives adopted by the City of Greater Geelong include a combination of both structural and non-structural measures and programs. Key management measures and activities contributing to stormwater and environmental management within the City of Greater Geelong include the following;
• Council is currently involved in a number of education programs including the development of a Stormwater Education Manual, the production of the State of the Environment web site, the Swan Bay Integrated Catchment Management Project (involving drain stencilling) and the Waste Wise Resource Kit in association with EcoRecycle.
• Council currently own and maintain a number of structural stormwater treatment devices. These include artificial wetlands, retention basins, gross pollutant traps and drainage inlet traps.
• Source controls presently located in the City of Greater Geelong include street sweeping, waste and refuse collection and water reuse.
• A number of management plans have been developed for waterways throughout the municipality, including the Baron River Land Use & Open Space Corridor Plan, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority Waterway Health Strategy, Local Waste and Litter Education Strategy as a part of the Barwon Region Waste Management Plan and Geelong Environmental Management Strategy. These plans all related to the impact of urban development on the environment and seek to reduce its impact.
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA CITY OF GREATER GEELONG BACKGROUND 3-3
3.1.3 The Role of Other Agencies in Stormwater Management
Responsibilities for waterway and water infrastructure management within the City of Greater Geelong are also shared amongst a number of management authorities (local and regional) and stakeholders. Each of these organisations work with Council to manage stormwater. The roles and responsibilities of key organisations are summarised as follows: • The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) establishes environmental standards and applies regulatory and non-regulatory means to achieve these standards (eg. licensing, legislation and enforcement). The EPA also administers the Victorian Stormwater Action Program (VSAP); • Corangamite Catchment Management Authority has responsibility for managing land and water resources and ensuring sustainable development of natural resource-based industries within the municipality; • Barwon Water manages water and sewage collection, treatment and disposal within the municipality and also manages the Corangamite Region Waterwatch program in partnership with the CCMA; • Foreshore Committees manage coastal reserves throughout the municipality. It is common for urban areas to drain through these reserves and to impact on the beaches; • Vic Roads control and manage major transport corridors and road reservations throughout the municipality; • VicTrack own lands which support railway infrastructure within the municipality; and • Special Interest Groups representing a variety of regional and local issues related to the environment and its management.
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA LOCAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ISSUES 4-1
4 LOCAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ISSUES
4.1 Stormwater Risk Assessment
The aim of the Stormwater Risk assessment was to identify areas where the risk of losing or degrading environmental values was greatest. Risk assessment is concerned with balancing the probability of impact against the consequence of the impact. This is applied in the stormwater management planning process by assessing the significance of receiving values, magnitudes of stormwater threats and how they related to one another.
The risk assessment was carried out by scoring the threats and values for different subcatchments in the municipality and calculating the risk (Figure 4-1).
Threat Value from stormwater pollution or of receiving environment: flows: - sensitivity; and - scale or severity - significance - likelihood or frequency
Threat x Value x Sensitivity
RISK of losing environmental/amenity value
Figure 4-1 Risk Assessment
4.2 Subcatchment Breakdown
For the purposes of this study, the municipality has been separated into a series of subcatchments, or reaches, to simplify assessments and provide a basis for developing management strategies. The breakdown of study subcatchments has been based on hydrological catchment boundaries and major land use precincts. Using this approach, ten separate study subcatchments have been defined. Their adopted reach names and extents are summarised in Table 4-1 and presented in Figure 4-2.
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA LOCAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ISSUES 4-2
Table 4-1 Study Subcatchment Descriptions
Reach Subcatchment Waterway/s Number Name 1 You Yangs Hovells Creek, Little River, Balliang Creek and Beilies Creek 2 Avalon Little River, Lake Borrie (Western Treatment Plant) and Corio Bay 3 Lara Hovells Creek, Limeburners Lagoon and Cheetham Saltworks 4 Corio Urban drainage network and Corio Bay 5 North Geelong Cowies Creek and Corio Bay 6 Rippleside Urban drainage network and Corio Bay 7 Geelong West Urban drainage network and Corio Bay 8 Newtown Barwon River and Balyang Sanctuary 9 Eastern Beach Urban drainage network and Corio Bay 10 Breakwater Barwon River and highly modified drainage lines 11 Newcomb Highly modified drainage lines, Cheetham Saltworks and Corio Bay 12 Reedy Lake Reedy Lake and Gateway Sanctuary 13 Leopold Urban drainage network and Corio Bay 14 Wallington Urban drainage network and Lake Connewarre 15 Clifton Springs Kewarra Creek, Lake Lorne, McLeods Waterholes and Port Phillip Salt Lagoon, St.Leonards Lake, Point Richards Road Wetlands, Urban 16 Portarlington drainage network and Port Phillip 17 Swan Bay Lake Victoria, Lonsdale Lakes and Swan Bay Barwon River, Thompsons Creek, Salt Swamp, Lake Murtnaghurt, Blue 18 Ocean Grove Waters Lake and Bass Strait 19 Connewarre Armstrong Creek, Barwon River, Lake Connewarre and Hospital Swamp 20 Waurn Ponds Waurn Ponds Creek, Barwon River and Jerringot Wetlands 21 Highton Barwon River 22 Fyansford Barwon River and Moorabool River 23 Moorabool Moorabool River 24 Anakie Cowies Creek, Sutherland Creek and Moorabool River
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA LOCAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ISSUES 4-3
Figure 4-2 Study Subcatchment Locations, City of Greater Geelong
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA LOCAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ISSUES 4-4
4.3 Receiving Values- What Are We Trying to Protect?
The community’s expectations regarding their utilisation and interaction with the environment are defined as part of the SWMP. These expectations are termed values and are defined to reflect the beneficial uses that the community enjoys. Each of these value types has the potential to be either directly or indirectly affected by stormwater threats.
Key receiving values in the City of Greater Geelong are summarised as follows for each of the subcatchments: • You Yangs subcatchment is predominantly rural and comprises the northern portion of the municipality, covering an area of approximately 402km2. The Highly valued receiving environments of Hovells Creek and Little River, have significant cultural heritage, amenity and environmental values associated with them. • Avalon subcatchment is adjacent to Port Phillip (Very Highly valued receiving environment) in the north eastern portion of the municipality, and contains a variety of land uses and waterways. Environmental in-stream and riparian habitat is valued Highly and marine and foreshore area is valued Very Highly. The banks of Little River estuary are of Very High indigenous cultural heritage value and extend approximately five kilometres upstream from the river mouth. • Lara subcatchment, comprises a wide range of land uses and extends from the Lara township south towards Limeburners Bay and Corio Bay (Very Highly valued receiving environments). The Moderate to High Riparian flora and habitat value is largely associated with Hovells Creek. A significant area of the marine and foreshore habitat comprises part of the Port Phillip (Western Shoreline) Ramsar Site, which contributes to its Very High rated values. The estuary of Hovells Creek is a designated area of aboriginal archaeological sensitivity, and is considered to be of Very High indigenous cultural heritage value. Point Lillias is also a site of Very High indigenous cultural heritage, due to middens and other sites of indigenous culture. The Very High recreational and visual amenity values, reflect the importance of Hovells Creek, Limeburners Bay and Corio Bay in the subcatchment. In addition, the waterways play a Highly valued role in conveying floodwaters and have a High impact on adjacent property values. • Corio subcatchment predominantly consists of residential and industrial land use and comprises the most northern portion of Geelong. Whilst values within the subcatchment are limited, the receiving environment of Corio Bay is considered to be of Very High value. • North Geelong subcatchment is a large linear subcatchment that extends from rural areas north of Anakie Road, through rural residential areas down to Cox Road, and encapsulates the urban suburbs of Norlane, Bell Post Hill, Bell Park and North Geelong. Cowies Creek is the major watercourse, which drains south easterly through the subcatchment towards the Very Highly valued receiving environment of Corio Bay. • Rippleside subcatchment extends from Hamlyn Heights in the west, to the shores of Corio Bay at Rippleside and Drumcondra in the east (A Very Highly valued receiving environment). The subcatchment predominantly consists of medium density residential land use. Recreational Amenity value is High to Very High, while visual and landscape amenity is rated Very High. Flood conveyance value is High , which is typical of urbanised subcatchments and some residential properties afford excellent views, resulting in Very High property values.
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA LOCAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ISSUES 4-5
• Geelong West is a small and narrow subcatchment of primarily residential land use that drains from McCurdy Road in the west to Cunningham Pier and Corio Bay in the east (which is of Very High receiving environment value). The marine and foreshore habitat is valued Moderate to High. The foreshore provides a range of High to Very Highly valued recreational activities and visual and landscape value is Very High due to the views. Very High tourism values are associated with Western Beach and Cunningham Pier along the foreshore region of this subcatchment. • Newtown subcatchment is a well-established urban subcatchment located between Aberdeen Street and Swanston Street and drains into the adjacent Barwon River. The Barwon River drains into Reedy Lake, Hospital Swamp, Lake Connewarre and the Barwon River Estuary, which are Highly valued receiving environments. The riparian habitat value is considered to be High, as extensive areas of the Barwon River riparian zone has been revegetated. It is considered to have Very High recreational amenity value, due to the passive and active recreational pursuits undertaken along and on the Barwon River, which also has Very High visual and landscape amenity value. Additionally, the Barwon River plays a Highly valued role in conveying floodwaters. • Eastern Beach is small subcatchment with a variety of land uses, extending from Eastern Beach to Stingaree Bay and draining into the adjacent, Very Highly valued receiving environment of Corio Bay. Extensive facilities and significant views along Eastern Beach foreshore contribute to the Very High recreational and visual and landscape amenity values, which in turn contributes to the Very High property and tourism values. • Breakwater is a narrow subcatchment that is adjacent to the Barwon River (of Moderate to High in-stream and riparian habitat values) generally from Swanston Street down to the Reedy Lake conservation area. The Highly valued receiving environments include the Barwon River, Reedy Lake, Hospital Swamp, Lake Connewarre and the Barwon River Estuary. A High value rating for recreational amenity largely reflects the utilisation of the middle to upper reaches of the Barwon River, which also plays a Highly valued role in conveying floodwaters. • Newcomb located adjacent to the Very Highly valued Corio Bay, comprises the most eastern portion Geelong, extending from Eastern Park to Point Henry. The marine and foreshore habitat values are Very High, predominantly due to the seagrass beds in the intertidal and immediate sub-tidal areas, and the habitat provided by Cheetham Saltworks. Flood conveyance is valued High due to significant flooding issues that have been identified. • Reedy Lake is predominantly a rural subcatchment, which spans between the urban areas of Geelong and Leopold and drains entirely into the Ramsar listed Reedy Lake (of High to Very High in-stream and riparian habitat value) before continuing into the Highly valued receiving environments of the Barwon River, Hospital Swamp, Lake Connewarre and the Barwon River Estuary. • Leopold is predominantly a rural subcatchment, which extends east from Point Henry towards the Clifton Springs subcatchment, and drains into the adjacent and Very Highly valued receiving environment of Corio Bay. The marine and foreshore habitat values in the subcatchment of Leopold are generally Very High, due to the seagrass beds in the intertidal and immediate sub- tidal areas, and, to a lesser extent, the habitat provided by the saltworks.
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA LOCAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ISSUES 4-6
• Wallington is predominantly a rural subcatchment located adjacent to Lake Connewarre, extending from the Leopold Township south to the Ocean Grove Subcatchment. It has High to Very High in-stream and riparian habitat values, primarily due to the environmental significance of Lake Connewarre. The waterways that are located adjacent to residential houses provide High property value. The High to Very Highly valued receiving environments of the Barwon River and estuary reflect the significant environmental, amenity and economical value of these waterways located downstream in the Ocean Grove subcatchment. • Clifton Springs is a large, predominantly rural subcatchment located on the northern side of the Bellarine Peninsula, which drains into Port Phillip, a receiving environment of Very High value. European heritage is of High value due to several areas of significance, the principle area being The Dell is a site of historic, aesthetic and social significance at a State level, as well as, the Clifton Springs Mineral Spa complex. The McLeods Waterholes are of Moderate to High heritage value for indigenous cultures. Lake Lorne, McLeods Waterholes and Port Phillip provide High visual amenity value. Residential properties located adjacent to the coastal foreshore afford significant views of Port Phillip that are of Very High economic value. • Portarlington is a large, predominantly rural subcatchment that comprises the north eastern portion of the Bellarine Peninsula, which drains into the Very Highly valued receiving environment of Port Phillip. The High marine and foreshore habitat value in this subcatchment is primarily associated with Salt Lagoon, as it provides salt marsh, scrubland and lagoon habitat to a wide range of taxa and communities. The Very High property and tourism values reflect the Very High recreational and visual and landscape amenity associated with the foreshore region. • Swan Bay is a very large and predominantly rural subcatchment located on the southeast portion of Bellarine Peninsula and drains into Port Phillip (a Very Highly valued receiving environment). It contains a number of waterways, including Swan Bay, Lake Victoria, Lonsdale Lakes, Begola Wetlands, Bonnyvale Wetlands, Kingston Estate Wetland and the Emily Street Sedimentation Basin, which are generally considered to have High in-stream and riparian habitat value, providing Moderate to High Visual and landscape amenity value. Flooding conveyance is rated High due to issues associated with Lake Victoria and Lonsdale Lakes. The immediate marine and foreshore habitat is of Very High value, primarily due to the environmental significance of the Swan Bay Marine Reserve. The High property value reflects the number of properties that are located adjacent to these waterways. • Ocean Grove is a predominantly rural subcatchment that is located on the lower reaches of the Barwon River, and contains the Barwon River Estuary draining to Bass Strait (a Very Highly valued receiving environment). The in-stream and riparian flora and habitat values in the Ocean Grove subcatchment are considered to be High to Very High, primarily due to the importance of Salt Swamp, Lake Murtnaghurt and the Barwon River Estuary which are sites of international importance. In addition, marine and foreshore habitat rate Very High due to the internationally significant Barwon River Estuary and the relatively undisturbed foreshore reserve. Both recreation and visual and landscape amenity values are rated Very High. Property and tourism values are also rated as Very High. Flood conveyance is of High value to the flooding issues identified in the Barwon Township. • Connewarre is a large subcatchment that is predominantly rural and located in the southwest portion of the municipality. The subcatchment drains east to Lake Connewarre and Hospital swamp (of High to Very High in-stream and riparian habitat value) via Armstrong Creek. The
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receiving environments include the High to Very Highly valued Barwon River and estuary, which largely reflects the significant environmental, amenity and economical value of the downstream waterways in the Ocean Grove subcatchment. • Waurn Ponds is a large subcatchment that contains a variety of land uses and extends from the western municipal boundary to the Barwon River. Recreational amenity in the subcatchment is rated High due to a range of water sports and open space pursuits undertaken within the Barwon River and along Waurn Ponds Creek. Due to the open spaces adjacent to Waurn Ponds Creek and the Barwon River, they are considered to provide Moderate to High visual and landscape amenity value. The Moderate to High flood conveyance value of Waurn Ponds Creek reflects the role it plays in providing flood protection to adjacent properties. The High value of the receiving environments, which includes the Barwon River, Hospital Swamp, Lake Connewarre and the Barwon River Estuary, reflects the environmental significance of the downstream waterways. • Highton is a highly urbanised subcatchment located adjacent to the Barwon River (Highly valued receiving environment) in the western portion of Geelong. The High value of the in- stream and riparian habitat value highlights the environmental significance and revegetation works undertaken in the Buckley Falls Park area. The Very High recreational amenity and Very High visual amenity values along the Barwon River reflects the importance of the waterway to the community. The High flood conveyance value of the Barwon River suggests the important role it plays in providing flood protection to adjacent Very Highly valued properties. • Fyansford subcatchment extends from the western municipal boundary to the confluence of the Barwon and Moorabool River. The Highly valued receiving environments, relates to the Barwon River, Hospital Swamp, Lake Connewarre and the Barwon River Estuary, highlight the significant environmental and amenity value of downstream subcatchments. Amenity values are rated Moderate to High because of the landscape features and recreation opportunities offered at Buckley Falls Park. • Moorabool subcatchment is located in the western portion of Geelong and contains the Moorabool River. The subcatchment’s receiving environments include the Barwon River, Hospital Swamp, Lake Connewarre and the Barwon River Estuary, which are of High value and highlight the significant environmental amenity values associated with these downstream waterways. • Anakie is dominated by rural land use and is located in the northwest portion of the municipality, stretching from the Brisbane Ranges in the north to Evans Road in the southeast. Environmental values have been diminished in the subcatchment due to adjacent agricultural activities.
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4.4 What are the Key Stormwater Threats within the City of Greater Geelong?
Stormwater threats include land uses and activities, which generate pollutants or modify the natural flow regime that could potentially impact on receiving values. Threats are often related to major land uses and activities that occur within each subcatchment. Key stormwater threats within the City of Greater Geelong are summarised as follows, with threat types highlighted using bold text: • Established Residential Land Use account for a significant portion of the urban areas within this municipality. Runoff from residential areas contains a range of pollutants, including elevated sediment, nutrient and litter loads. Impervious surfaces and formalised (piped) drainage systems deliver pollutants efficiently to the receiving environment. The ultimate area of established residential development is perceived to represent a High stormwater threat in Corio, North Geelong, Rippleside, Clifton Springs, Swan Bay, Waurn Ponds and Highton subcatchments, and a Moderate to High stormwater threat in Portarlington and Ocean Grove subcatchments. • The Geelong Central Activity Area is the major commercial precinct in the municipality and is considered to be a High to Very High stormwater threat in the Geelong West subcatchment and High threat in the Eastern Beach subcatchment. Commercial Land Use Runoff is also perceived to be a High and Moderate to High stormwater threat in the Waurn Ponds and Clifton Springs subcatchments, respectively. Commercial areas typically have high proportions of imperviousness, and pollutant sources are associated with poor waste management (e.g. littering), deposition from vehicle movements and accumulation of sediments on paved surfaces. • Runoff from Industrial Land Use Runoff in North Geelong poses a Very High stormwater threat, and a High to Very High stormwater threat in the Breakwater and Newcomb subcatchments. The subcatchments of Corio, Rippleside and Newtown also contain significant industrial areas, representing a High stormwater threat, and industrial land use in the Waurn Ponds subcatchment poses a Moderate to High threat. Runoff from industrial areas generate an array of stormwater pollutants, ranging from elevated sediment loads to hydrocarbons that can originate from poor waste management practices (eg. tipping oil into the stormwater system). • Major Roads and Transport Corridors, such as the Princes Highway, convey high volumes of vehicles, which generate substantial sediment, litter and hydrocarbon loads. The North Geelong subcatchment contains a number of major roads, which represent a High to Very High stormwater threat. Other subcatchments that contain a significant area of transport corridors that pose High stormwater threats include Corio, Rippleside and Geelong West, while Lara, Newtown and Waurn Ponds pose Moderate to High stormwater threats. • Land and Infrastructure Development particularly relates to elevated sediment loads, due to the clearance and disturbance of soils. Development is occurring throughout the municipality, with Lara, Ocean Grove, Drysdale/Clifton Springs, Mount Duneed and Wandana Heights earmarked as major growth areas. In accordance with this land and infrastructure development, the subcatchments of Lara, Waurn Ponds and Highton represent High stormwater threats, and Reedy Lake, Clifton Springs, Swan Bay and Ocean Grove subcatchments Moderate to High stormwater threats. • Lot scale building site construction typically follows major subdivisional development. The environmental management of lot scale building sites is typically poor and results in litter and
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sediments entering the stormwater system. Building Site Runoff is perceived to be a Moderate to High stormwater threat in the Lara, Swan Bay, Waurn Ponds and Highton subcatchments. • Unstable and Degraded Waterways contribute elevated sediment loads that impacts upon the receiving environment, and can reduce the integrity and safety of the waterway. A number of urban stormwater outfalls are eroding the coastline in the Clifton Springs subcatchment, which represents a Very High stormwater threat. • Agriculture Land Use Runoff can pose a significant threat, and is responsible for the export of high loads of nutrients to waterways. Agriculture is considered to be a Moderate to High threat in the subcatchments of You Yangs, Wallington, Swan Bay and Anakie. • Septic and Sewer Leakage poses a threat in many areas of the municipality where aged septic and sewer infrastructure can leak significant bacteria and pathogen loads to receiving waterways. Sewer leakage represents a High to Very High stormwater threat in the Rippleside subcatchment and Septic and Sewer leakage represents a High to Very High threat in the Newcomb subcatchment. • Major Docks and Wharfs facilities include Refinery Pier, Lascelles wharves, the Bulk Grain Pier and Corio Quay. Spillage can occur during the use of these facilities, which can result in pollutants contaminating the marine environment. In accordance with this, docks and wharfs facilities in the Corio and North Geelong subcatchments are considered to be High and Moderate to High threats, respectively. • Aging Infrastructure installed at the turn of the last century, poses a threat in many areas of the municipality through pipe leakage and subsequent erosion leading to high sediment loads entering receiving waterways. In accordance with this, aging infrastructure in the Geelong West and Newtown subcatchments is considered to be a threat.
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4.5 Priority Risk Issues
Considering the highest stormwater risks throughout the municipality and placing them in an order that reflected the importance ascribed to each issue, Council and the Project Working Group then derived the Priority Risk Management Issues (Table 4-2). Table 4-2 Priority Risk Issues
Priority Management Issue Description/Comment
1 Sewer Leakage The aged sewage system within the Rippleside subcatchment has the (Rippleside) potential to export high bacteria and pathogen loads to the stormwater system as a result of sewer overflow and illegal connections. This poses the greatest risk to recreational amenity and a risk to visual amenity, landscape amenity and property values within and adjacent to the Rippleside subcatchment.
2 Industrial Land Use Runoff Industrial land use in the Newcomb subcatchment includes a mixture of (Newcomb) large heavy industry and medium mixed industry. In accordance with the typically poor waste management practices exhibited in the area, industrial land use runoff represents a risk to the receiving environment values of Corio Bay and the marine and foreshore habitat including important sea grass communities.
3 Industrial Land Use Runoff Runoff from industrial activities in North Geelong subcatchment (North Geelong) represents a risk to the receiving environment values of Corio Bay.
4 Commercial Land Use Runoff Commercial areas in the Geelong West and Eastern Beach (Geelong West and Eastern Beach) subcatchments comprise the majority of the Geelong CAA. Commercial land use runoff is anticipated to pose a risk to the receiving environment values and visual, landscape and recreational amenity values of the Geelong West subcatchment and recreational, visual and landscape amenity and tourism values of the Eastern Beach subcatchment.
5 Septic and Sewer Leakage Septic and sewer leakage has been identified as a priority management (Newcomb) issue within the Newcomb subcatchment as the Moolap industrial area is not sewered. Without a sewer system, this area poses a risk to marine and foreshore habitat, which includes important sea grass communities located in Corio Bay.
6 Unstable and Degraded Waterways A number of urban stormwater outfalls are eroding the coastline at a (Clifton Springs) significant rate. Ongoing erosion poses a risk to visual landscape amenity and property values.
7 Industrial Land Use Runoff The Breakwater subcatchment contains an area of well-established (Breakwater) industrial land use including medium to heavy industries. Pollutants associated with poor waste management practices of industrial land use runoff in the Breakwater subcatchment pose a risk to the environmental and amenity values of the Barwon River.
8 Land and Infrastructure Development (Lara, Swan Bay, Highton, Waurn Ponds A number of areas throughout Geelong are undergoing residential and and Ocean Grove) industrial development. This specifically relates to broad scale land use changes or infrastructure construction (ie. subdivisional scale). Major growth areas include Lara, Highton, Waurn Ponds and Ocean Grove. Land and infrastructure development can generate a range of stormwater threats associated with soil removal, earthworks and construction waste. The approach adopted for managing the stormwater impacts of land and infrastructure development will be similar for all subcatchments in Geelong.
9 Industrial Land Use Runoff Runoff from industrial land uses has the potential to export high (Newtown) sediment, trace metal and hydrocarbon loads and pose a risk to the recreational amenity values of the Barwon River.
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Table 4-2 Priority Risk Issues (continued)
Priority Management Issue Description/Comment
10 Residential Land Use Runoff Residential land use is located in the eastern portion of the Ocean (Swan Bay) Grove Township and in Point Lonsdale west of Fellows Road in this subcatchment. Whilst there are still some residential areas yet to be developed, residential land use is ultimately expected to pose a risk to marine and foreshore habitat values through the production of high pollutant loads.
11 Docks and Wharves Refinery Pier supports the oil refinery, while Lascelles wharves support (Corio) the wire mill and fertiliser storage and distribution industry. There is a risk of occasional fertiliser and petroleum spillages impacting upon the receiving environment of Corio Bay.
12 Industrial Land Use Runoff Industrial land use is predominantly located in the north eastern region (Rippleside) of the Rippleside subcatchment. A variety of well-established industries operate in this area, including warehousing, mechanical/engineering works, furniture production, and panel beaters. Runoff from this area poses a threat to the recreational amenity values and receiving environment of Corio Bay.
13 Residential Runoff The Rippleside subcatchment is dominated by medium density (Rippleside) residential land use. As a result, residential land use runoff, poses a risk to recreational, visual and landscape amenity values with and adjacent to the catchment. It is likely that strategies developed in response to this issue will be (in part) applicable to other areas of the municipality.
14 Major Road Runoff Major road runoff has the potential to generate substantial sediment, (North Geelong and Geelong West) litter and hydrocarbon loads in the North Geelong and Geelong West subcatchments and pose a risk to the receiving environment values of Corio Bay.
15 Building Site Runoff Building site activities typically generate significant litter and sediment (Lara and Highton) loads, which have the potential to be exported to stormwater. Residential development is taking place at present in the Lara and Highton subcatchments, with other areas in the subcatchments likely to undergo development in the near future. These building site activities place at risk recreational, visual and landscape amenity values within the Lara and Highton subcatchments.
16 Residential Land Use Runoff Residential Land Use runoff can generate significant litter and sediment (Waurn Ponds) load and is considered to represent a risk to the visual, landscape and recreational amenity of the Barwon River and Waurn Ponds Creek.
17 Industrial Land Use Runoff Runoff from industrial activities within the Corio subcatchment, poses a (Corio) risk to the receiving environment of Corio Bay.
18 Residential Land Use Runoff Residential Land Use runoff, which can generate significant litter and (Ocean Grove) sediment loads, is considered to represent a risk to tourism, marine and foreshore habitat values as well as recreational, visual and landscape amenity in the Ocean Grove subcatchment.
19 Residential Land Use Runoff Residential Land Use runoff, which can generate significant litter and (Portarlington) sediment loads, is considered to represent risk to tourism, and recreational, visual and landscape amenity in the Portarlington subcatchment.
20 Aging Infrastructure Aging Infrastructure can generate sediment loads within the drainage (Geelong West and Newtown) network collapse of pipes and influx of sediments. The condition of aging infrastructure in Geelong West and Newtown has specifically been identified as a potential problem and possible pollutant source for stormwater.
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK REVIEW 5-1
5 MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK REVIEW
Council’s Management Framework is concerned with the way in which Council undertake it’s ‘day to day’ planning and management activities. This includes strategic planning, development assessment, infrastructure management, regulation and enforcement, coordination and communication with internal and external stakeholders. These activities have a direct and indirect bearing on achieving Best Practice in Stormwater Management.
An effective management framework will enable Council to manage stormwater proactively through its planning, coordination and regulatory roles. This will limit the need for retrospective management of stormwater threats that could have been avoided with a better management framework.
The following provides a summary of Geelong’s Management Framework and how it functions in relation to Stormwater Management. The Management Framework has been considered in relation to the following key aspects: • Coordination and Communication; • Referrals and the Approvals Process; • Resourcing; • Council Strategic and Regulatory Documentation; • Regulation and enforcement; and • Education.
5.1 Coordination and Communication
It is apparent that informal communication and coordination between different divisions and departments is more limited than it should be to achieve good stormwater management. Under the existing framework, decisions regarding referral of proposals are largely dependant on the diligence and judgement of Council officers. Internal communication largely operates in an informal (ad-hoc) manner with the determination of referrals being made with limited procedural guidelines.
The limited communication seems to be partly the result of the large emphasis placed on processing proposals and making decisions expediently to meet required targets of Council and statutory timeframes. This reduces the likelihood of officers seeking further information or clarification of issues through internal referrals, particularly where there are no clear requirements for these referrals.
The limited communication across divisions of Council and within departments makes it difficult for a holistic or Council-wide approach to problem solving and has contributed to situations where the opportunity to incorporate good stormwater management as part of development proposals has been missed.
Improved coordination will result in greater cross-pollination of ideas and improved decision-making to the benefit of good stormwater management and the overall improved functions of the Council.
There appears to be good communication between Council and external bodies such as Barwon Water, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and the EPA. There is however some
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confusion and overlap of responsibilities between these bodies and external communication would be further improved as a result of a clearly defined referrals process guiding officers that included a list of persons from these organisations and their responsibilities.
5.2 Referrals and the Approvals Process
Applications and approvals within Council relevant to stormwater management extend across many Council Divisions and are dealt with by a number of different Council officers. The largest numbers of approvals handled by Council are planning permit applications.
Council has the opportunity to consider stormwater management issues as part of applications for planning approvals on both large and small developments including infill (multi-unit) housing, land subdivisions and a wide range of development projects. Due to the deregulation of the building industry, Council currently has limited opportunity to provide input regarding stormwater management on many smaller developments and at a lot scale level (eg. following subdivision). As such, there are currently no “triggers” enabling the assessment of stormwater management issues unless planning permits are required for the development.
Opportunities for incorporating Best Practice Stormwater Management as part of development proposals lie primarily in the placement of conditions on planning approvals. The application of these conditions and review of planning/development approvals involves referral within Council to officers who have specific expertise.
There is a need for the establishment of a formal referral process to ensure consistently effective communication and coordination. A structured and well defined referral system would ensure that all relevant development approvals are referred to the appropriate expert officer of Council and would ensure that Stormwater Management issues are afforded the importance that the Council has placed on them as outlined in their statutory and strategic documentation (see section 5.4).
Guidelines to a referral process would be necessary to clarify when proposed developments should be referred for review, the timeframe for consideration, details required for response and who should be responsible for the assessment. These guidelines would need to ensure that any internal referrals would be integrated into the approvals process without adding to the time taken for Council consideration.
Improving Stormwater Management through the applications and approvals process is closely linked to the following management aspects, which are discussed in other areas of the Issues Paper: • Coordination and communication within Council (5.1); • The available strategic and regulatory documentation (5.4); • Resource capacity and expertise (5.3); • Regulation and enforcement (5.5) and • Education (5.6).
Each of these aspects of Council’s operations needs to work effectively to achieve Best Practice in Stormwater Management.
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5.3 Resources
The ability for Council to introduce good stormwater management practices is affected by the significant limitations in resource availability. In many areas of Council, there are insufficient personnel to meet the current workload, let alone the additional workload that an improved system of referrals would create. The areas that are most under-resourced include the consideration of drainage plans, the regulation and enforcement of planning permits and the maintenance of infrastructure.
In particular, it is evident that the resourcing of the regulatory areas of Council has not been a high priority and in many instances Council are not able to effectively fulfil their regulatory functions under statutory legislation such as the Planning and Environment Act.
As outlined, a referral system is required to ensure stormwater management issues can be effectively addressed. It is noted, however, that unless adequate resources are available to handle the existing and additional referrals, the system will remain ineffective. Without any consideration to resourcing, improvements in the referral system will simply add additional workload onto already under- resourced areas of the organisation.
As the Council structure includes a number of Divisions and Departments with responsibility for stormwater management, a number of options need to be looked at in relation to the most effective and efficient division of responsibilities and how to best resource the additional workload. Poor stormwater management practices on building sites is one area that could be addressed by extending the role and responsibilities of Local Laws officers to check and enforce breaches.
5.4 Council Strategic and Regulatory Documentation
Important documents and planning tools that are relevant to stormwater management include the Geelong Planning Scheme, City Plan (July 2001 – June 2004), Environmental Management Strategy, Local Laws, and various technical specifications and procedural guidelines.
The Environmental Management Strategy and Planning Scheme have clear objectives and strategies that provide the basis for incorporating Best Practice Stormwater Management. However, many Council Officers involved with the assessment of stormwater management issues have a limited knowledge of these objectives/strategies and consequently limited knowledge and understanding of the importance of stormwater management to the Council.
It is also considered important to introduce more specific provisions into the Planning Scheme to provide an improved link between the broader policy statements and the more specific provisions, such as local planning policies. This will ensure that officers and all sections of the community working with the Planning Scheme are more easily able to identify the importance of stormwater management issues and it will provide an improved emphasis on these issues that can then flow through to all relevant approvals of Council and will provide a strong statutory basis to require the incorporation of Best Practice in new developments.
It is clear that whilst Council technical specifications related to stormwater management exist, in most cases they are outdated and have limited relevance to current practices. In addition, staff are either not aware of them or have limited confidence in their content. A review of these documents with input from all relevant divisions of Council would provide significant improvements in
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stormwater management and provide officers with a greater level of ownership and confidence in using these documents as a basis for their decision-making.
As outlined, the management framework review has highlighted a need for Council officers to undergo specific training and education that would ensure officers have a better understanding of the existing provisions of the Planning Scheme, Council policy documents and technical specifications and how these provisions/documents can be used to achieve Best Practice Stormwater Management.
5.5 Regulation and Enforcement
Enforcement of stormwater related issues falls across a number of divisions and departments, but in a number of areas of Council there is a significant lack of resources available. The limited resources available for these duties are evidence that enforcement has not been a priority of Council.
Planning permits include a number of standard conditions related to stormwater management. There is, however, an almost complete lack of resources available to follow up and check that these conditions are complied with. There is also no ‘system’ in place that requires the checking of compliance with permit conditions. The current practice is that regulation and enforcement of planning permit conditions are mostly the result of complaints (reactive). Some departments of Council are resourced to a level that provides for regular and proactive checking of compliance. An example of this is the Environmental Health Department that have regular checks of food premises, including stormwater management issues.
The preparation of additional specific stormwater controls (for example, in the planning scheme and as Local Laws) will assist with providing guidance for improved regulation and enforcement. In particular, Council officers have identified the lack of statutory mechanisms to prevent poor stormwater management on building sites as a major concern.
The development and application of local laws to target improved stormwater management would need to be accompanied by a commitment to resourcing their enforcement. Also, the Council officers involved in such enforcement would require appropriate training to ensure they are equipped to identify stormwater management issues and the options for their satisfactory resolution.
Whilst regulation and enforcement should not be seen as a primary mechanism for achieving Best Practice in stormwater management, the use of regulatory measures to ensure compliance with conditions of permit and good stormwater management practices is essential to demonstrate to the development industry and the community that Council are committed to ensuring compliance. This will also assist in the education of the community as to the importance of stormwater management and should result in a reduction of the more highly controversial and time consuming work associated with responding to complaints of breaches of permit conditions and poor stormwater management practices.
5.6 Education
As discussed above, improved understanding is required by Council officers and members of the public of the importance of Stormwater Management. This improved awareness would result in stormwater management issues being given a higher priority in decision-making and would result in less instances of poor stormwater management practices.
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5.7 Summary of Key Management Framework Issues
The key management framework issues that need to be addressed in achieving Best Practice Management of Stormwater are summarised in Table 5-1. These issues have been prioritised following discussions with the stakeholder groups and will form the basis for the development of management strategies addressing management framework issues. Table 5-1 Priority Management Framework Issues
Priority Management Issue Description/Comment 1 Officer Education Council officers need to understand the importance of stormwater management to Council. In order to do this it will be necessary to develop their knowledge and understanding of stormwater management issues, the statutory controls and Council policy initiatives that are in place to address these issues. 2 Council Guidelines Council should review and update their guidelines and technical specifications to guide and assist with the assessment of stormwater management 3 Communication Council should provide for increased liaisons between Divisions and Departments, which will enable greater importance to be placed on stormwater management and will improve the consideration of stormwater management issues in the decision making process of Council. 4 Referral Process The referral process needs to be extended and more clearly defined, outlining roles, responsibilities and triggers for internal referrals. 5 Community Education The importance of stormwater management needs to be clearly understood by all elements of the Geelong community. An education process that explains the impacts of poor stormwater management practices on the receiving environment is needed. As is a resource that lists technical and personnel resources (both internal and external to Council). 6 Resources to Assess An improved and extended referral system will only be able to effectively deal with Stormwater Issues stormwater management issues if there are sufficient resources available. There is a shortage of resources available to provide for stormwater management to be effectively incorporated as part of Council’s day-to-day operations. 7 Regulation and Enforcement Improved regulation and enforcement mechanisms and resources are required to ensure compliance with permit conditions, good stormwater management practices and to regulate polluters.
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OCEANICS AUSTRALIA STORMWATER REUSE 6-1
6 STORMWATER REUSE
6.1 Overview
The City of Greater Geelong has finite water resources and increasingly they are coming under pressure to meet demands. In light of the pressures on supply, an overview of the opportunities to reuse stormwater was investigated. This investigation provided an assessment on water demands, resource capture, treatment, storage and supply, which coincided to make up reuse opportunities within the City of Greater Geelong. • Demands considered for the City of Greater Geelong included, irrigation (macro and micro scale), domestic drinking water, toilet flushing water and industrial processes and cooling water. • Water supply opportunities identified for the City of Greater Geelong included, roof water (domestic and industrial) and capturing stormwater. • Treatment and distribution should be designed and managed in such a way as to consistently provide reuse water of the required quality and quantity. The nature of the end use dictates the quality of the water required and thus the treatment. • Other issues examined when considering potential reuse opportunities included soil types and permeability, change in the receiving environment and any social implications and cost.
6.2 Feeding Demand
A number of reuse opportunities where a demand could be supplied by capture and storage of stormwater for reuse were identified and included:
Residential Demand Opportunities: