Latest news

Raingarden Design Workshop

  On a very wet day in May, a group of designers, engineers, landscape architects and horticultural maintenance specialists joined Dale Brown from […]

Green Adelaide’s Cooler, Greener, Wilder Grants Program Now Open

Green Adelaide’s Cooler, Greener, Wilder Grants for round 3 are now open, offering metropolitan councils the opportunity to apply for a share in […]

Announcing our new Business Plan

Together with our Program Partners, key stakeholders and Steering Committee members , we have created our next three-year plan of activity and focus […]

We are a finalist!

  Water Sensitive SA has been shortlisted for the 2024 Australian Water Association Water Awards, South Australia for Organisational Excellence.  We are the […]

Business plan 2024-27 – have your say

Water Sensitive SA supports government, industry and community to mainstream water sensitive urban design (WSUD) and integrated water management (IWM) practices that enhance […]

Call for Water Sensitive SA committee members

EOI has now closed Expressions of interest are invited from those within the urban water management, planning and design, WSUD asset maintenance, relevant […]

Microplastics

Plastics are a persistent pollutant. Their synthetic nature means that they are not biodegradable and 100 years after their invention, they now pollute […]

Smart stormwater storage

Smart technology is becoming an integral part of sustainable water resource management. Harnessing real-time data, using automatic control systems and enabling sensors to […]

Can we do more with stormwater?

Stormwater SA Chair and Water Sensitive SA Steering Committee member, Andrew King, joined Paul Gough, ABC Radio Adelaide on 14 December 2023 to […]

WSUD assets put to the test

After a wetter than average start to 2023, and almost three years of La Nina conditions, we started shifting towards a warmer and […]

Can the platypus save our rivers?

Lessons from across Australia Platypus are a truly unique animal and an important part of our natural ecosystems and can be found in […]

Cooler, greener, wilder grants program 2024

GRANTS PROGRAM NOW CLOSED The second round of Green Adelaide’s Cooler, greener, wilder grants program is now open. This is a $1 million […]

Urban rivers and catchments grants

The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) have opened applications for their Urban rivers and catchments program 2023 […]

In memoriam: Professor John R Argue AO, FIEAust

On 15 November 2023, the University of South Australia commemorated the first anniversary of Professor John Argue’s passing with a memorial service and […]

Kensington Wama /Kensington Gardens Reserve wetlands

The wetland at Kensington Wama/Kensington Gardens Reserve, completed in 2022, is the centrepiece of the Burnside Councils $7.4 million revitalisation project of the […]

Stormwater infiltration could keep streams flowing

It is well known that passive irrigation systems harvesting stormwater at the kerb can benefit street trees, but it is less well known […]

Greater Adelaide Regional Plan

The SA government recently released the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan Discussion Paper, sparking conversation on how and where Adelaide should grow as a […]

New practice guide for lot-scale cooling

A new practice guide that explains the science behind water’s role in cooling – Using water to cool residential outdoor spaces – has […]

New faces at Water Sensitive SA

Mellissa Bradley, Water Sensitive SA’s Program Manager, has recently moved to SA Water’s Resilient Water Futures project, helping to create and deliver an […]

Rewilding – what, where, when and how

Professor Chris Daniels talks about rewilding in the context of a multidisciplinary, interactive and interdisciplinary approach to saving species and ecosystems. Also discussed […]

Living streams – projects to re-imagine & inspire our urban spaces

On 10 August 2023, more than 220 WSUD practitioners from around Australia came together for the Living streams webinar. This was the first […]

MUSIC users’ Community of Practice

Do you have a burning question about the application of the MUSIC Guidelines for South Australia? Water Sensitive SA is inviting registrations of […]

Biofiltration systems – construction hold points

Biofilters are complex green infrastructure assets and achievement of the design intent on the ground is sometimes lost in translation at the construction […]

Looking after Adelaide’s waterways

Adelaide’s urban creeks, rivers, estuaries, and wetlands provide essential habitat and refuges for native fauna while providing important recreational opportunities. As most of […]

Research: Sediment supply from construction areas

Potential sediment supply fluxes associated with greenfield residential construction Research published by Kathryn Russell1 has quantified the sediment supply changes at the development […]

A vision for our resilient water future

South Australia, and in particular the greater Adelaide region, is poised to take the next step in urban water management, setting us on […]

Lifecycle costs database – register your interest

Water Sensitive SA is partnering with Water Sensitive Cities Australia (WSCA) to deliver a lifecycle costs database to support better understanding and estimation […]

Which WSUD assets can be modelled at lot scale? InSite Water tool tip

Did you know that you can model a wide variety of WSUD assets at the lot scale using the InSite Water Tool? The […]

Guidelines webpages

Looking for the right guideline to support your next WSUD project? Visit our new Guidelines webpage. We have curated all Water Sensitive SA […]

Increasing water storage capacity of your green roof

For more information about green roofs, including design tips, projects and demonstrations, and video highlights, head to our WSUD assets – Green roofs […]

Resilient Water Futures survey

SURVEY NOW CLOSED Over the next 50 years, the demand for water will increase while our drying climate will reduce available sources. The […]

Updated Value Tool now available

Water Sensitive Cities Australia have updated the Value Tool, and the latest version is now available. The Value Tool gives practitioners a way […]

Biofiltration resources

Water Sensitive SA has curated all of our technical resources for the planning, design and construction of biofilters in one place on our […]

Our WSUD & urban greening leaders: Jack’s journey

During 2021 and 2022, a group of 25 emerging leaders in Adelaide’s urban greening and water sensitive urban design (WSUD) industry challenged themselves […]

WSUD grants – Green Adelaide

Round 1 of Green Adelaide’s Cooler, Greener Wilder Grants Program for local governments if now open for applications until 5pm, Friday 31 March 2023.

Stormwater management priorities

Water quality, ecological values and climate change adaptation recognised in stormwater management priorities The Stormwater Management Authority (SMA) has developed a new prioritisation […]

Retrofit of permeable paving in a high-density 1970s residential setting

Utilising water sensitive urban design (WSUD) principles, this high-density1970s residential development’s deteriorating driveway has been repaired using permeable paving in a small section […]

Community housing embraces WSUD design principles

At UDIA South Australia’s 2022 Awards for Excellence, held in July 2022, community housing provider UnitingSA took out both the Small Scale Development, […]

Adelaide Garden Guide for New Homes

In 2021, the Planning and Design Code introduced a suite of policies that seek to enhance urban greening, including integration between stormwater management […]

Vale John Argue OAM

The original WSUD thought leader 14 September 1933 – 18 September 2022 We honour the memory of John Argue OAM, who sadly passed […]

Green roof WSUD asset page

We have curated the best green walls guidelines and case studies on our new WSUD assets’ green roof webpage. Here you will find […]

Greening Port Pirie with WSUD

Port Pirie will be transformed over the next five years under the Greening Port Pirie Master Plan, which received the Award for Landscape […]

Benefits of trees costed by Melbourne Water

Living Melbourne: Our metropolitan urban forest – Value analysis of trees on private land, released by Melbourne Water in August 2022, investigates the […]

Retrofit green roof at Adelaide Zoo

Retrofit of a green roof on an existing building at the Adelaide Zoo – Jeff Lugg, General Manager Operations, Royal Zoological Society of […]

New journal publication: Valuing the benefits of a multifunctional water sensitive greenspace

Increasingly, water utilities are investing in green infrastructure to improve the liveability of our cities and towns. We have good information about the […]

WSUD assets’ lifecycle costing database

Development of a national database of lifecycle costs of well-designed, decentralised water sensitive urban design (WSUD) assets is being proposed by Water Sensitive […]

What to ask for when assessing a MUSIC model

Council development engineers or clients working with stormwater engineers should provide the following to support the WSUD response for a development: design report […]

Accounting for local drainage system capacity in InSite Water

InSite Water provides for addition of the “Stormwater design” details of any project. Check out InSite Water tool Tip 3 to find out […]

WSUD standard drawings for South Australia

Clover – Green Space, in collaboration with MLEI Engineering, has been awarded the contract to develop a suite of standard drawings for water […]

Benefits of passive infiltration, and tree growth and cooling quantified

Research published on 30 March 2022 indicates that mature trees planted within the zone of influence of TREENET Inlets and leaky wells transpired […]

Cool way to keep streets green

Reports of tree canopy coverage dwindling in Australia’s suburbs is increasing pressure on local governments and other authorities to improve the health of […]

Green business incentive scheme

The City of Port Adelaide Enfield’s Green Business Incentive Scheme to help small to medium sized businesses in their Council take manageable steps […]

WSUD standard drawings for SA

Our partners and the wider industry have told us that there is high need for a set of WSUD standard drawings to achieve […]

What do consumers think about water sensitive housing designs?

A new journal publication from the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities examined the social preferences for water sensitive housing features of consumers in […]

A concrete conversation with Mellissa Bradley

Program Manager at Water Sensitive SA, Mellissa Bradley, joined the Concrete Masonry Association of Australia’s Elizabeth McIntyre for a conversation on their Concrete […]

Research | Architectural design key to managing urban water flows

The underutilised role of architects and urban planners needs to be addressed if we are going to tackle the urban water issues facing […]

Passive irrigation demonstration project

Rowley Reserve, Brompton. Find out more about Rowley Reserve’s passive irrigation on the Rowley Reserve, Brompton WSUD projects page.

MUSIC Auditor Tool – On demand training

Are you: a Council stormwater engineer who assesses development applications that include stormwater treatment trains designed using the Model for urban stormwater improvement […]

InSite Water tool – tips & tricks

InSite Water is Water Sensitive SA’s stormwater assessment tool for small-scale infill. We’ll be providing you with tips on a regular basis to […]

Information hub for infiltration systems

The benefits of infiltration systems to manage peak stormwater flows while sustaining healthy urban landscapes is now better understood. Infiltration is an excellent […]

Water Smart campaign

Resilient East, an initiative of the central and eastern metropolitan Councils to build the climate resilience of our urban communities, has launched a […]

Green Adelaide Water Sustainability Grants

Image: Glade Crescent Wetland. Source: Sam Phillips The 2021-22 round of Green Adelaide’s Water Sustainability Grants are NOW CLOSED A total of $550,000 […]

Plant the right tree in the right place

SA Water has released a tree planting guide (PDF) to help you select tree and shrub species to minimise sewerage blockages and water […]

DIY green roof

Green roofs rely on a series of layers to provide adequate support, waterproofing, and a suitable growing medium for the chosen species of […]

Integrated water management for SA communities

Setting future urban water directions As South Australia faces an uncertain climate future, the role of alternative water resources in the urban water […]

Street trees in challenging spaces

Many streets throughout Adelaide have narrow verges or experience conflict between trees, footpaths and roads, which presents challenging conditions for growing healthy, vibrant […]

Avoid clogging of permeable pavers

Permeable paving | Design tipHow to avoid clogging of permeable pavers. Prof. Simon Beecham, University of South Australia.

Green roofs & walls – a tip to assist green roof drainage

Green roofs and walls: A tip to assist green roof drainage. Graeme Hopkins, Fifth Creek Studio

Farewell CRC for Water Sensitive Cities – welcome Water Sensitive Cities Australia

After nine years of research and international impact, the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC) wrapped up on 30 June 2021. Its important […]

Green Infrastructure Resource Library

The Green Infrastructure Resource Library (GIRL) is a unique database of documents, case-studies, videos, tools and other information about green infrastructure and its […]

Introducing Green Adelaide

Green Adelaide’s vision is to create a cooler, greener, wilder and climate-resilient Adelaide across SA’s 17 metro council areas.   www.greenadelaide.sa.gov.au

Water Sensitive SA committee announced

We are pleased to announce the members of the Water Sensitive SA steering committee for the next three years. Dr Sheryn Pitman, takes […]

Permeable paving – design tips & more

As part of our recent website redesign, we have created a new permeable paving WSUD assets page. This page provides resources for anyone […]

Website update

Easy access to resources The Water Sensitive SA website has recently undergone a major restructure to make our resources more accessible to WSUD […]

The role of water in Adelaide’s vision for a National Park City

On World Environment Day, the South Australian Government launched its intention to become a National Park City. Led by the Green Adelaide Landscape […]

Water Sensitive SA Steering Committee | call for members

Expressions of interest have now closed Expressions of interest are invited from those within the urban water management, planning and design and development […]

MUSIC Guidelines release

The South Australian Model for urban stormwater improvement conceptualisation (MUSIC) Guidelines are now available to download on the Water Sensitive SA website to […]

MUSIC Auditor

The South Australian Model for urban stormwater improvement conceptualisation (MUSIC) Guidelines are supported by the MUSIC Auditor tool. The MUSIC Auditor assesses a […]

Green concrete: The new porous building material

Porous, granulated concrete that allows plants to grow directly out of the façade without the need of a growing medium or integrated water […]

Have your say – Green Adelaide Regional Landscape Plan

CONSULTATION NOW CLOSED Adelaidians from the hills to the sea are invited to have their say on Green Adelaide’s draft five year plan […]

Unity Park biofilters, wetlands and MAR scheme, South Australia – site tour

Unity Park site tour explores the biofilter, constructed wetlands and managed aquifer recharge system that is managing stormwater and providing an alternative water […]

Victorian stormwater offsets scheme

Several Councils in Greater Melbourne have established innovative stormwater offset schemes over the last three years to provide flexibility for applicants of small-scale […]

Choosing the right geotextile for your green roof substrate

Should I chose a spun or woven geotextile?

Green plot ratio

A potential performance measure for urban greening

WSUD (offsite) voluntary contribution scheme – Moonee Valley City Council (Vic.)

Voluntary contribution schemes can reduce compliance costs for developers and increase stormwater quality improvements. Local government can learn from each other, and as […]

Stormwater SA Excellence Award winners

The SA Stormwater 2020 Excellence Awards were celebrated in an online video program this year due to the uncertainty over the ability to […]

Revised Planning and Design Code: Phase 3 – for public comment

The Planning Commission has made amendments to the Planning and Design (P&D) Code in response to feedback provided by industry, local government, state […]

Marden Connect – housing industry’s response to the demand for more green spaces

The decoupling of car parking and dwellings could be the key to achieving urban greening in medium-scale infill developments. Research by architects and […]

Quality green public space

Healthy Parks Healthy People have released their Quality Green Open Space Action Plan: 2020-22, a revised plan to progress collaborative action for increased […]

Best-practice infill development | Research

The CRC for Water Sensitive Cities has released a series of documents to inform best practice infill development Infill Performance Evaluation Framework – […]

Federal Budget’s focus on building water infrastructure

Article by Cecilia Harris, Australian Water Association The Australian water sector will receive a raft of new investments from the Federal Government, with […]

OZWATER’21 – call for papers, panels & workshops

CALL FOR PAPERS NOW CLOSED The call for papers, panels and workshops is now open for Ozwater’21 to be held in Adelaide in […]

Sydney Water (NSW) – Urban typologies and stormwater management | Guidelines

Sydney Water weighs in on better design of development for greening, water sensitive urban design and overall liveability in their new guideline Urban […]

Irrigated natural turf measures 4.9°C cooler than baseline average surface temperature

Irrigated natural turf measures 4.9°C cooler than baseline average surface temperature

Glenelg Adelaide Pipeline: The other alternative water source

While the management of stormwater is a key focus for Water Sensitive SA, the role of recycled wastewater to improve the amenity and […]

Water Sensitive SA team to continue for next 5 years

On behalf of the Water Sensitive SA program partners, Mellissa Bradley and Kathryn Bothe will continue to support water sensitive urban design capacity […]

City of Mitcham achieves excellence in LGPA awards

The City of Mitcham was awarded the Excellence in Sustainable and Environmentally Responsible Infrastructure Management at the Local Government Professionals Australia, SA 19th […]

Water Sustainability Grants now open

Applications are now open for the Green Adelaide 2020-21 Water Sustainability Grants, and the closing date is Monday 31 August. Please see the […]

AWA | SA Water Awards – nominations open

Nominations are now open for the 2020 Australian Water Association SA Water Awards, and will close on Monday 7 September. More information about […]

Greening Marion – rethinking urban greening using complexity science

An introduction to complexity science, and how it can be used for tackling big, persistent problems. Check out this video to discover why […]

Designing for cool – from house to precinct

Dr Josh Byrne, Josh Byrne and Associates – Cooling the city masterclass presentation, promoting an integrated approach to energy, water and landscaping in […]

Call for Water Sensitive SA steering committee member

Are you looking for an opportunity to influence the strategic directions of Water Sensitive SA and oversee delivery of the program? Water Sensitive […]

SA MUSIC draft guidelines for industry

Water Sensitive SA has developed draft guidelines for the Model for Urban Stormwater Improvement Conceptualisation (MUSIC) for South Australia in partnership with Stormwater […]

Green roofs – new fact sheet released

In March of this year we held training in Design, construction & maintenance of green roofs & walls at the Adelaide Zoo, at […]

Early advice: Water Sustainability Grants 2020-21

NOW CLOSED Green Adelaide will offer Water Sustainability Grants through an open, competitive grants funding round for the 2020–2021 financial year. Start developing […]

Raingarden planting palettes fact sheet

Water Sensitive SA has released a new fact sheet to assist raingarden designers to consider planting lists that provide are range of visual […]

Engaging communities in stormwater management

Innovative irrigation Sections of the City of Onkaparinga’s urban landscape are flourishing after the installation of a stormwater reuse system for tree irrigation. […]

Better policy & planning needed to create liveable cities: Productivity Commission

“As Australia’s cities face pressure from population growth and climate change, the urban water sector will be challenged to provide traditional water and […]

Laratinga Wetlands water quality PhD scholarship opportunity

APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED This PhD scholarship opportunity has been advertised and is open to national and international students. The University of Adelaide is […]

Call for public comment on infill typologies catalogue

The CRC for Water Sensitive Cities is calling for public comment on its Infill typologies catalogue, published on 25 March 2020. The catalogue […]

New guideline | Passively irrigated landscapes

Designing for a cool city The CRC for Water Sensitive Cities released their Designing for a cool city – Guidelines for passively irrigated […]

Benefit: cost analysis tool applied examples

The CRC for Water Sensitive Cities released its INFFEWS benefit: cost analysis tool – Booklet of applied examples on 24 March 2020. The […]

Water Sensitive SA’s final word on the P&D Code

A priority of the Water Sensitive SA program since its inception in 2014 is to support initiatives that embed water sensitive urban design […]

Stormwater management self-certification tool for small-scale development

Water Sensitive SA has launched the InSite Water Tool (the Tool) to provide an efficient and technically robust method to demonstrate whether the […]

Water Sensitive SA draft submission for the Planning and Design Code – Phase 3

SUBMISSION NOW CLOSED The Planning and Design Code (the Code) represents one of the most important reforms in more than 20 years that […]

Environment grants for schools and communities

NOW CLOSED The Natural Resources Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges 2019-20 community and school grants are now open. For more information, including guidelines […]

Review of green infrastructure and water sensitive urban design policy

Water Sensitive SA¹ has now released the Perspectives on performance-based planning provisions and assessment frameworks for green infrastructure and water sensitive urban design […]

New Planning and Design Code: Will it deliver urban greening and WSUD?

More than five years ago the community responded to the Planning Reform Consultation and voiced their concerns about increased hard surfaces and loss […]

Valuing water quality

This short video from our CRC for Water Sensitive Cities IRP2 colleagues explains very simply how economists can value environmental impacts. More information […]

People & Neighbourhoods Policy Discussion Paper

People and Neighbourhoods Policy Discussion Paper (released 23 September 2019) The State Planning Commission has released a discussion paper that investigates the makeup […]

Stormwater2020 | Call for abstracts

Stormwater 2020 National Conference will be held on 17-19 June 2020 in Melbourne. The theme for the conference is New frontiers for stormwater: […]

Water | Call for articles

Call for manuscripts for a special issue of Water entitled Green infrasturucre for urban water system: Balance between cities and nature. Deadline for […]

Permeable pavement carpark from recycled tyres

The carpark at St Marys Park in Laura Avenue, St Marys is the site of a major field trial in sustainable urban drainage […]

Grants

NOW CLOSED Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges NRM Board and Department for Environment and Water grants are closed for 2019. Water Sustainability Grants […]

Leadership award for Mellissa Bradley

Water Sensitive SA’s Program Manager and CRC for Water Sensitive Cities SA Regional Manager, Mellissa Bradley, was awarded the coveted Leadership Award at […]

Cooler, greener Adelaide | Updates

Take a look at our Cooler, greener Adelaide | Updates page for the latest news and information about new and existing government policy, […]

Cooler, greener Adelaide: shaping our future city

Community concerns over the loss of tree canopy cover and green spaces in our urban areas prompted more than 580 people to attend the Cooler, greener Adelaide forum and exhibition on 20 March 2019.

Innovation in the development sector

Showcasing leaders in urban greening and water sensitive urban design.

Benefit: cost analysis & non-market values tools release

IRP2 has developed an economic evaluation framework to identify and quantify economic, environmental and community values of investments in water sensitive practices and systems.

ARR Urban Book 9

The Australian Rainfall and Runoff – A guide to flood estimation: Book 9 – Runoff in urban areas was completed and published on 4 December 2018.

Improving ecological function of urban waterways

The CRC for Water Sensitive Cities has designed a series of factsheets to guide the repair or design of a living stream site on a flowing urban waterway.

2018-19 NR AMLR environment grants for schools and communities

NOW CLOSED Grants are available annually for activities that help communities and schools promote the sustainable management of our natural resources. Environment grants […]

City of West Torrens – raingarden interpretive trail

The City of West Torrens invites you to follow their raingarden interpretive trail. The trail includes raingardens at these locations: The City of […]

Communicating water words & visuals

Making sense of the terminology Research suggests that communication techniques combining engaging visuals and easy-to-understand terminology can build support for new policies. The […]

2018 Stormwater Excellence Awards – winners

Congratulations to the winners at the SA Stormwater Excellence Awards, held at the Adelaide Oval on 10 August 2018. A common theme of […]

CLOSED – Water Sustainability Grants 2018-19

NOW CLOSED The Water Sustainability Grants for 2018-19 are now closed The Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board (AMLR NRMB) […]

Reconciling greenspace and urban infill – Lightsview demonstrating best practice offsite solutions

Redward Avenue, Lightsview In late 2018, the highly anticipated draft Planning and Design Code, under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016, is […]

EOI – infiltration systems

Seeking collaborators for new research on infiltration systems Register your interest Water Sensitive SA is hosting a workshop in August 2018 to bring […]

Stormwater SA Excellence Awards

Applications close 13 July 2018 Call for Entries Stormwater South Australia (SSA) is holding its Excellence Awards to encourage, recognise, promote and celebrate […]

Smart Water Summit

ICE WaRM (International Centre of Excellent in Water Resources Management) and the Water Industry Alliance held the inaugural Smart Water Summit in Adelaide […]

Introducing David Trebilcock, General Manager, Stormwater Management Authority

The Stormwater Management Authority (SMA) is taking an increasing interest in water sensitive urban design and stormwater quality management. We sat down with […]

Adelaide’s water sensitive future is one step closer

The CRC for Water Sensitive Cities released the Vision and transition strategy for a water sensitive Adelaide in December 2017 and already, South […]

Vision202020 Green Light Tour – how do we achieve green infrastructure outcomes at the lot scale?

On 27 March 2018, Vision202020 held their Green Light Tour at 28 Leigh Street. 60 practitioners gathered to consider ways to support the […]

Could local nuisance flooding be a thing of the past?

Permeable paving may be the answer. City of Mitcham demonstrated how permeable paving in combination with uncompacted subgrade and substrate stablising mesh at […]

Water’s role in liveability

Do you need a 30 second elevator pitch to sell the liveability benefits of a water sensitive city approach to decision makers, or […]

WSUD in your home & backyard – new community webpages

There is a growing demand from the community for information as to how they can live more sustainably, particularly when it comes to […]

New research – Trees, stormwater, soil and civil infrastructure

The debate between local government asset managers and their WSUD practitioner colleagues about the benefits and risks associated with permeable paving and infiltration […]

Water Sensitive SA Steering Committee – call for members

Applications are now closed The Water Sensitive SA Steering Committee has provided strategic guidance to the program for the development of our Business […]

Alternative funding options for stormwater management

If you missed our November seminar on Alternative funding options for stormwater management – watch the videos of all speakers on our YouTube […]

5O years of WSUD in Salisbury

Extract – journal article:  Fifty years of water sensitive urban design, Salisbury, South Australia, Frontiers in Environment, Science and Engineering by CSIRO Land […]

Green infrastructure & WSUD policy project

Photo: Levesque & Derrick Architects, lada.com.au On 11 December 2017, 50 representatives of state and local government joined leaders from industry to consider […]

Adelaide: A water sensitive city by 2067

A Water Sensitive Adelaide is within reach, with the urban water management industry this year collaborating to deliver the vision and transition strategy: […]

New guidelines: Trees for a cool city

Trees for a cool city, released by the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities, provides guidelines on placing street trees for the largest cooling […]

Green infrastructure and WSUD performance based planning policy

NOW CLOSED The Water Sensitive SA request for tender for the Green infrastructure and water sensitive performance based policy closes on 28 September […]

National Water Reform – draft report open for comment

NOW CLOSED National Water Reform Draft Report is open for comment until Thursday 19 October 2017. The National Water Reform Draft Report is […]

White Gum Valley – innovative infill development

The White Gum Valley (WGV) development is a 2.3ha medium-density infill development located approximately 3 km inland from Fremantle in Western Australia. Once […]

Enabling liveable communities of the future

Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) – the peak urban water industry body – is working to better understand water’s role in enabling […]

TreeNET EoI – Best practice design & maintenance of engineered spaces for tree growth in paved areas in Australian Cities

NOW CLOSED Expressions of Interest (EoI) are invited from organisations wishing to partner with TREENET in preparations for the delivery of a proposed […]

Benefit-cost tool – one step closer

The National Project Economic Evaluation Framework project for WSUD and green infrastructure has advanced well in its first 6 months. Cooperative Research Centre […]

AILA award-winning projects embrace WSUD

Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) has been integral to award-winning projects showcased at the recent Australian Institute of Architects (AILA) SA Chapter annual […]

Invitation: Smart technology & planning for infill development project – University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide’s Intelligent Water Decisions Research Group is seeking input from industry and government for a pilot study on smart technology and planning […]

Innovative greenfield development takes out Minister’s Award at Smart Water Awards

An innovative approach to stormwater management by Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec for the Newenham development on Mount Barker’s urban fringe, received the Minister’s Award […]

Benchmarking Adelaide in our journey towards a water sensitive city

The Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC) is working with Adelaide’s water industry leaders to develop a transition strategy for Adelaide […]

3 years on … how are we tracking?

Our achievements over 3 years Three-year independent review In February and March 2017, an independent Three-year program review of the Water Sensitive SA […]

Florette

Anna Walker’s book, Florette, is a great NRM education resource about guerilla gardening by children in the middle of the city.     […]

Call for abstract – AWA 2017 conference: Water in the community

Conference, call for papers A flagship annual event for the AWA SA Branch is our state conference, which attracts around 100 people. On […]

We need your feedback about Water Sensitive SA

SURVEY EXTENDED TILL 6PM FRIDAY 31 MARCH 2017 We are seeking industry feedback to understand what has been achieved in the last two […]

New look interactive map for WSUD projects

Doncaster Avenue, Colonel Light Gardens – infiltration systems.  Images: City of Mitcham Take a look at our revamped interactive map for water sensitive […]

Goyder Institute recommends future directions for SMPs and planning policy

Source: Baden Myers The latest report from the Goyder Institute for Water Research (Goyder Institute), Implementing water sensitive urban design in stormwater management […]

Rain Garden 500 grant now open

Rain Garden 500 is an Australian Government funded project, where local governments, community groups, schools, sports clubs, churches, businesses groups or even just […]

Heatwave vulnerability index – Adelaide

If you are wondering where to target your next WSUD project in Adelaide’s suburbs to create cooler shaded streetscapes and public open spaces, […]

Goyder Institute call for abstracts

Call for Abstracts now open! Abstracts close: 17 March 2017 The Goyder Institute for Water Research is excited to announce the Call for […]

WSUD performance targets adopted within Murray Bridge Development Plan

On 27 January 2017, Water Sensitive SA partner, Rural City of Murray Bridge, joined an exclusive club of SA Councils to adopt stormwater […]

Cost-benefit analysis tool for WSUD & green infrastructure

Water Sensitive SA is set to partner with the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities to address the well documented barriers to the uptake […]

A guide to raingarden plant selection and placement – fact sheet

Water Sensitive SA has developed A guide to raingarden plant selection and placement in SA in association with Shaun Kennedy, ecologist, SA Water, […]

Oaklands stormwater harvest & re-use project

Oaklands Wetland has transformed the disused former driver education centre site into a beautiful new habitat where people can appreciate the year-round open […]

SA’s online stormwater tool for small-scale development

Following a competitive tender process, the contract for the Online stormwater assessment tool for small-scale development has been awarded to Organica Engineering Pty […]

Ground-breaking software manages distribution of alternative water sources

Since the drought of the early 2000s, regional Australian councils have sought alternative water supplies to supplement their natural catchments. But managing these […]

Vertical forest apartments

The team behind the award-winning Silt apartments at Kangaroo Point, Brisbane are tipping their next project to be just as successful. The standout […]

Australian Rainfall and Runoff Guidelines revised

The ten-year long Engineers Australia project to revise its widely-used Australian Rainfall and Runoff (ARR) is complete, and its ongoing management has now […]

Estimating monetised benefits of groundwater recharge from stormwater retention practices

New EPA (USA) study supports the long-term benefits of green infrastructure The EPA (USA) encourages green infrastructure for urban areas because of their […]

The 2016-17 AMLR Community NRM Action Grant round is now open

Community NRM Action Grants are designed to enable groups, individuals, non-government organisations and small businesses to undertake projects that focus on building community […]

Zero Additional Maintenance WSUD update

The Zero Additional Maintenance Water Sensitive Urban Design (ZAM-WSUD) project led by the City of Manningham, Victoria, has been progressing well over the […]

Greening of our communities through stormwater innovation

Stormwater management is no longer the sole domain of the calculator toting, brown suited engineer.  The industry is broadening to include the black […]

Micropollutants in stormwater

Assessing the human health risks associated with micropollutants in stormwater intended for beneficial reuse Project Leader:  Andrew Humpage, Fred Leusch – Water Research […]

Stormwater SA Excellence Awards

Stormwater South Australia is holding its Excellence Awards, on Wednesday 6 July, to encourage, recognise, promote and celebrate excellence in the innovation, development, […]

Catch it, keep it, use it: Burnside City Council’s B-Pod stormwater retention cells

Case study – Burnside B-Pods, Catch it, keep it, use it: Burnside City Council’s B-Pod stormwater retention cells. In 2008, as part of […]

Practical ways to create water-wise microclimates in urban infill environments

Words by Kate St James, FDIA The future of our residential building landscape is moving ever-closer towards higher densities, especially in our cities. […]

Rain Garden 500 grants program – applications close 30 June 2016

Applications are now open for the Rain Garden 500 grants program in the Adelaide region.   Local governments, community groups, schools or a group […]

City of Mitcham joins Water Sensitive SA partnership

We are pleased to welcome the City of Mitcham as a Water Sensitive SA partner and look forward to sharing the lessons learnt […]

Stormwater SA Excellence Awards – call for nominations

Stormwater South Australia is holding its Excellence Awards to encourage, recognise, promote and celebrate excellence in the innovation, development, completion and management of […]

The coalition commences

A coalition of South Australian agency and industry peak bodies are committed to leading our transition to more liveable, water sensitive communities. On […]

Microclimate objectives within Council Planning policy

To give effect to your climate change adaptation plan or water sensitive urban design strategy within Development Plans look to the City of […]

Adelaide Design Manual – greening the City of Adelaide

The City of Adelaide’s Adelaide design manual is an excellent resource for those looking for guidance on how to integrate green infrastructure at […]

What does liveable, water sensitive infill development look like?

Water Sensitive SA is conducting research into the adoption of more sustainable water sensitive urban design (WSUD) practices in an idealised ten allotment […]

Stormwater Harvesting Guidelines

The Melbourne Water Stormwater Harvesting Guidelines, released in February 2016, support the design, construction and maintenance of diversion structures for stormwater assets.

The Living Cities Alliance opens the door to more liveable, water sensitive communities

The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) in Partnership with Engineers Australia (EA) hosted the Living Cities Workshop on Wednesday 10 February at […]

Cost-benefit analysis of green infrastructure & WSUD project

With development of a cost-benefit analysis tool for green infrastructure and WSUD assets a priority within Water Sensitive SA’s Business Plan, we are […]

New investment partners

Water Sensitive SA is pleased to welcome three new investment partners: City of Onkaparinga, City of Tea Tree Gully and Rural City of […]

The multiple benefits of rainwater tanks

Figure 1: An allotment scale rainwater tank configured with a ‘trickle release’ pipe to release water at an equivalent rate to undeveloped catchment […]

CRC for Water Sensitive Cities Draft Report on Statutory Planning for WSUD in Adelaide

Your comments are sought Statutory Planning for Water Sensitive Urban Design project is part of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Water Sensitive […]

CRC to develop plan to support Adelaide’s transition to a water sensitive city

CEO of the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities, Tony Wong, announced at a forum on 26 November 2015 that the CRC will work with its industry partners […]

Ranking projects for water-sensitive cities: a practical guide

A new publication released by the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities offers an easy-to-use guide to the best mathematical approaches for ranking potential […]

Zero additional maintenance WSUD systems – “The mowable raingarden”

Local government WSUD practitioners regularly raise the challenges that maintenance of raingardens present including: understanding the regime of maintenance works required and the […]

SA practitioners support WSUD performance based criteria in planning policy

On 29 October 2015, Water Sensitive SA hosted a collective of more than 60 planners, engineers, landscape architects and environmental managers to explore […]

Our business plans revealed

Water Sensitive SA Business Plan Our training, peer-to-peer learning, research adoption pathways and WSUD information sharing activities for 2015‑16 and 2016‑17 will support […]

WSUD research priorities – participate in our on-line forum

Participate in our on-line forum to contribute your thoughts on priorities for WSUD research priorities for SA.  The forum is open until COB […]

Integrated Water Management DPA incorporates WSUD performance targets

Integrated Water Management Development Plan Amendment (Alexandrina Council and Rural City of Murray Bridge). Put your support behind the first example of the […]

Policy frameworks for WSUD in five Australian cities

Fresh from her appearance at the 2nd Water Sensitive Cities Conference in Brisbane in September, Linda Choi, Monash University (Law Department) will present […]

WSUD Policy, objectives & implementation – the Queensland experience

Watch the highlights video of the April 2015 seminar presented by Dr Andrew O’Neill from Water by Design. Andrew provided an insight into […]

EPA Raingarden 500 Grant Guidelines

Applications are now open for the Rain Garden 500 grants program in the Adelaide region. Local governments, community groups, schools or a group […]

Awards – Joe La Spina

Joe La Spina received the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia (IPWEA) –  SA Professional of the Year/Public Works Leader award. Joe is […]

Awards – Dr Peter Dillon

Dr Peter Dillon was recognised at the 2015 Water Industry Alliance (WIA) Smart Water Awards, receiving the prestigious Chairman’s Award for his outstanding […]

Water Sensitive SA steering committee

We are pleased to announce the members of the inaugural Water Sensitive SA steering committee, who are charged with setting the strategic direction […]

SA planning reform – what are the opportunities for WSUD?

The planning reform provides the greatest opportunity in the past 20 years to embed water sensitive urban design (WSUD) within the South Australian […]

Australian Government Senate inquiry into stormwater

On 16 March 2015 the Senate referred an inquiry into stormwater resources management in Australia to the Environment and Communications References Committee following […]

New website coming

We are developing a new Water Sensitive SA website. New features will include: forums that you will allow you to subscribe/unsubscribe to topics […]

Transitioning Adelaide to a water sensitive city issues paper

Released by the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) in October 2014, Transitioning Adelaide to a water sensitive city: Towards an […]

Water Sensitive SA Launch

With liveability and resilience in an uncertain climate future emerging as key drivers for how we develop our cities in the future, South […]

Catchment to Coast Project

The Cities of Unley, West Torrens and Adelaide have received federal government grant funds, through the EPAs’ Catchments to Coast Project, to design […]

Research

Goyder Institute – Release of Task 3 Report – The Potential Role of WSUD in Urban Service Provision The Goyder Institute has released […]

CRC for Water Sensitive Cities – Water Sensitive Cities Assessment Tool

CRC for Water Sensitive Cities – Water Sensitive Cities Assessment Tool The question was asked at the recent Water Sensitive SA launch, ‘How […]

Urban areas – the future water supply catchments

Recent research shows stormwater harvesting with Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) and complementary treatment can deliver safe potable water supplies and can be a […]

Water Sensitive SA – Program Manager Appointment

Experienced Adelaide water sensitive urban design practitioner Mellissa Bradley has joined Water Sensitive SA as the Program Manager. Mellissa is a strong advocate […]

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.