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Following a competitive tender process, the contract for the Online stormwater assessment tool for small-scale development has been awarded to Organica Engineering Pty Ltd. The team delivering the project includes company director Ian Adams; Chris Beardshaw, Afflux Consulting; and Adjunct Professor John Argue and Baden Myers, University of South Australia.

For the purpose of this project, small-scale developments are defined as:

1. Residential developments, including
   1. additions over 50m²
   2. single dwellings
   3. dual occupancies
   4. unit/townhouse developments excluding those that incorporate the creation of a public road
   5. apartment blocks
2. Commercial, industrial and institutional developments of up to 5,000m²

Source: L-R Photos 1-4 Andrew King; Photo 5 Peter Coombes

Project objective

This project will provide a user friendly online tool for small-scale developments that assesses the performance of a range of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) elements of a development against the nominated design criteria (SA WSUD Policy and agreed Council requirements), together with an associated guideline and user manual, to:

• increase the efficiency of development application and approval processes, and
• achieve better outcomes for flood risk, stormwater quality, amenity and microclimate (where possible).

The online tool will be capable of assessing whether a proposed development is able to meet pollutant load reduction performance critieria and maintain critical maximum stormwater discharge peak flow rates and volumes. The ability of WSUD elements such as onsite detention and retention systems, raingardens, swales, permeable paving and green roofs to deliver these benefits will be analysed within the tool.

A copy of the project brief is available for your information.

Stage 1

Over the next two months, the project team will compare and contrast current Council engineering requirements for stormwater management for a range of small-scale development scenarios, to determine if a single set of stormwater detention and retention design criteria can be established that provide a “best fit” for Greater Adelaide Councils and hence enable a simplified stormwater assessment tool. This phase will also include consultation to discuss the recommended approach and explore any amendments that would underpin a consensus position.

Water Sensitive SA will provide regular updates for the project via our e-newsletter

To find out more or to get involved in the project please contact Water Sensitive SA Program Manager, Mellissa Bradley.