SA projects delivering ecosystem services, flood protection and urban cooling
Head to our Infiltration page to check out the latest information, design tips, research, guidelines, projects and demonstrations, and more – plus you can watch the highlights or full presentations filmed during this seminar.
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Early infiltration systems were introduced to manage stormwater peak flow rates, however increasingly these water sensitive urban design assets are being installed to provide ecosystem services and build climate resilience within our streets and suburbs.
A site tour of the ecological sponges within the Newenham development in Mount Barker will be complemented by presentations on South Australian case studies that demonstrate the multiple benefits infiltration systems provide.
Following the seminar you will have a chance to network over drinks and nibbles.
Topics
- Site tour: Newenham ecological sponges | Joe La Spina, WGA
- Infiltration systems: managing silt and ground movement | Tim Johnson, City of Mitcham
- Characterisation of sediments in urban catchments found in infiltration systems – Kingswood case study | Harsha Sapdhare, UniSA/Space Down Under
- George Whittle Reserve infiltration system | John Zunis, City of Prospect
Presenters’ biographies
Joe is an industry leader in WSUD and sustainable stormwater management. He applies his skills across all scales of development including major SA infrastructure projects. His strong technical understanding of WSUD systems stems from local government and private consultancy with Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec.
Joe has implemented innovative projects featuring WSUD and is focused on delivering the best outcomes with regards to the environmental management of stormwater and its integration into many forms of development. Joe has developed and designed many projects featuring constructed wetlands, watercourse remediation, source control, infiltration systems, and erosion and sediment control practices. Joe has a keen focus on integrating engineering design with ecological system services.
His innovative WSUD projects have been recognised by industry peers for producing award winning designs at state and national awards for excellence in WSUD.
Tim’s professional and personal interests cover many areas of the biological, engineering and human sciences which overlap in his work in local government. As Mitcham Council’s Sustainable Infrastructure Engineer, his work at the boundary between civil engineering and urban horticulture focuses on enhancing natural and built assets through integration by design. Drawing on technical and academic knowledge and practical skills developed as a hands-on landscaper and horticulturist, Tim works with Council’s teams developing methods to demonstrate how green infrastructure can infiltrate stormwater into reactive clay soil to deliver drainage solutions, sustain urban vegetation and minimise impacts on built assets. In his civil engineering doctoral research, Tim showed that infiltration through permeable paving reduced reactive soil movement near trees and increased the depth at which their roots grew, thereby reducing the likelihood of pavement damage. Tim’s Adjunct roles with the University of South Australia-STEM and Flinders University’s College of Science and Engineering links their multi-disciplinary expertise with opportunities to conduct applied research in Council’s streets and parks. As a result, many of Mitcham’s working WSUD sites incorporate experimental design components and research partners are working on an ongoing basis to analyse the data they’re providing.
Harsha Sapdhare University of South Australia / Space Down Under
Harsha is a water and environmental engineer experienced in field monitoring, carbon sequestration assessment, hydraulic modelling, water quality, and economic and environmental impact assessment. She is currently working as a Research and Development Manager at Space Down Under.
Harsha obtained her PhD from the University of South Australia in 2020, and has published numerous scientific papers. Her research interest is in the investigation of cost-effectiveness and environmental impacts of infiltration systems and other green infrastructure or water sensitive urban development tools.
During her PhD, Harsha also received an Australian Postgraduate Research (APR) internship, and worked with the Legatus Group on the Community Wastewater Management Scheme Survey and Sludge Processing Plant Viability Investigation. She has published her research work in peer-reviewed journals and received a High Commendation award from the Natural and Built Environment Research Centre.
John is a driven civil engineer with a strong focus on innovative and integrated engineering solutions. In his role as Manager Infrastructure & Assets at City of Prospect, and through his project management experience of infrastructure delivery in past roles within local government, John is passionate about enhancing civil and landscape design projects with sustainable stormwater management approaches.
John has a diverse background in developing and managing the delivery of WSUD outcomes across several projects within City of Prospect, which has become a key focus in planning and design phases. His attention to detail and ability to problem solve has produced sustainable initiatives that enhance water infiltration across various assets that contribute to greening and stormwater management.
John strives to continually challenge conventional design methods and share his knowledge and experiences across the local government sector to inform and collaborate with others.