2021-22 highlights

Priorities

Water Sensitive SA reached major milestones for three priority projects in 2021-22:

Support the adoption of WSUD policy framework within the planning system (Priority Project 7)

Water Sensitive SA provided technical input into a number of state government initiatives during 2021-22 to further water sensitive urban design (WSUD) in government policies and strategies including:

  • Hosting an industry forum on the DEW Urban water directions statement and preparation of an associated submission to government.
  • Testing the stormwater performance of a range of infill developments case studies via application of the InSite Water tool.
  • Participation in the Green Adelaide Summit – Strategic and practitioner forums.
  • Participation in SA Water internal integrated water management workshops.

WSUD standard drawings (Priority Project 9)

Exemplar WSUD standard drawings provided by our partners and other sources have been collated into a suite of design precedents to inform the WSUD standard drawings project. An online workshop held in May 2022 gathered general feedback on the scope of work for the project and a technical review of the biofiltration exemplar drawings was undertaken. Following an open request for quote process, Clover Green Space in collaboration with MLEI Engineering were awarded the contract to prepare WSUD standard drawings in both PDF and computer aided design (.dwg) file formats.

Inspection & maintenance guidelines for WSUD assets (Priority Project 11)
A suite of draft inspection and maintenance guidelines were developed for:

  • biofiltration systems
  • swales & buffer strips
  • detention basins
  • permeable paving
  • infiltration systems
  • wetlands
  • rainwater tanks.

To test their practical application in the field, Water Sensitive SA supported City of Marion to convert the biofilters, swales and detention basins guidelines to an electronic form.

Training

We continue to build the capacity of the next generation of SA’s greening and urban water leaders through the delivery of the Leadership – Building capacity to achieve water sensitive cities course. An optional refresher half-day workshop was also offered to current and past alumni of this course.
Demand is growing for in-house training, enabling cross-disciplinary teams within our partner organisations to develop a common understanding of opportunities to integrate WSUD across all areas of their business. We are expanding this personalised approach to training over the coming years.

Research

On behalf of our partners, Water Sensitive SA provided input into the Goyder Institute for Water Research Urban Stormwater Expert Panel to inform the pending draft Future stormwater management options for a vibrant and resilient Adelaide report. The process included consideration of opportunities for alternative governance structures that would provide for improved stormwater management, greater uptake of WSUD, and enhanced waterway health and integrity in plans and processes for Adelaide’s growth.

Our partners

We gratefully acknowledge the support of our program and project partners.

Expenditure 2021-22

 

Acknowledgement of Country

Water Sensitive SA acknowledges Aboriginal people as the First Peoples and Nations of the lands and waters we live and work upon, and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge and respect the deep spiritual connection and the relationship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to Country.