The SA government recently released the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan Discussion Paper, sparking conversation on how and where Adelaide should grow as a prelude to a revised 30 Year Plan for Greater Adelaide.
There are many opportunities for water sensitive urban design (WSUD) to support a sustainable, climate-ready and prosperous city as Adelaide becomes hotter and drier.
If WSUD is central to planning policy, our urban creeks and watercourses will form biodiverse corridors, open spaces for recreation, and a cooler and more resilient environment – rather than just a network of stormwater drainage lines. Increasing the permeability of our city will also allow infiltration of stormwater for street trees and green infrastructure, reduce flooding risks and replenishing local aquifers.
Adopting WSUD into infrastructure planning, policy amendments and updating the Planning Code for consistency with the new Greater Adelaide Regional Plan will ensure both infill development and new expanded townships are ready for future climatic conditions, and that our aquatic ecosystems are sustained by long-term investment in best practice water management.
The four outcomes for future Adelaide highlighted in the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan are a:
- greener, wilder and climate resilient environment
- more equitable and socially cohesive place
- strong economy built on a smarter, cleaner, regenerative future
- greater choice of housing in the right places.
Adelaide’s population is expected to grow by 46% over the next 30 years. The current trend of households having less occupants will mean increased housing demand and if space for WSUD is not allocated as part of the planning design, as the climate changes these new neighbourhoods will become hot, hard and grey places, instead of offering lush, cool streetscapes and gardens.
The Greater Adelaide Regional Plan is a key opportunity to integrate WSUD features into Adelaide’s streets and suburbs.
Water Sensitive SA has provided a submission with detailed feedback on the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan Discussion Paper to the SA Planning Commission.