Local government is getting closer to WSUD
Canning River – the City is working towards ensuring that they are integrating future planning and water sensitive urban design
Local governments are starting to get in on the WSUD (Water Sensitive Urban Design) act, with Canning, Wanneroo, and Geraldton having developed their own individual strategies and policies, adopted by their respective councils. These strategies focus on a wide range of water planning-related issues, such as:
- Planning for a future population – infrastructure, community facilities
- Catchment management – water quality, topography/geology, flooding
- Water availability and efficiency – surface and groundwater
- Preparing for a future climate – will it ever rain in buckets again??
- Preserving biodiversity and heritage – maintaining our beautiful wetlands, and the mighty Swan River!
The development and implementation of effective and toothy Water management strategies will become more critical as Perth heads towards 3.5 million, and population growth occurs across the state. To ensure that Perth develops into a liveable city with enough water to go around and beautiful green spaces, such water management strategies need to be linked to an integrated planning framework. i.e. A coordinated approach will make life a lot easier for local governments/state departments/utilities to deal with development, and will also go far in making sure that cash for good asset management and maintenance is included in budgets (unfortunately a bit of an unsexy but important part of getting the services we hold dear, like not having our roads flooded)!
Essential Environmental is also using its expertise to help the City of Karratha develop its own water management strategy. We have recently completed the Stage 1 findings report – so watch this space and get in touch with us if you would like further information on Water Management Strategies!
