Water Management

2 - Water Management

Site Planning

Water Management

All of Parramatta's catchments drain to the Parramatta River, a highly significant tidal estuary in Sydney. To protect this resource, impacts on receiving water quality from further development of the catchments needs to be minimised. Stormwater drainage networks and the floodway capacity of waterways need to be managed whilst preserving/enhancing the ecological integrity of the waterway systems.



Stormwater Drainage

Objectives
  1. O.1To minimise the quantity of stormwater run-off.
  2. O.2To protect and enhance existing natural or constructed drainage networks.
  3. O.3To minimise surcharge from the existing drainage systems.
  4. O.4To minimise and control nuisance flooding and to provide for the safe passage of less frequent floods.
Design Principles
  1. P.1Water sensitive urban design principles are to be incorporated into the design of stormwater drainage, on-site detention and landscaping and in the orientation of development.
  2. P.2Development is to be sited to minimise disturbance of the natural drainage system.
  3. P.3Impervious surfaces are to be minimised and soft landscaping used to promote infiltration and reduce stormwater run-off.
  4. P.4Adequate provision is to be made for the control and disposal of stormwater runoff from the site to ensure that it has no adverse impact on Council"s stormwater drainage systems, the development itself, or adjoining properties. Stormwater drainage design criteria is to be in accordance with Council's Drainage Code E-4 (or any subsequently adopted Council guidelines).
  5. P.5On-site detention (OSD) will be required as outlined in the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust On-Site Detention Handbook. Council will permit the use of appropriately located rainwater tanks and/or other on-site retention measures in conjunction with OSD basins.
  6. P.6Stormwater, including overland flows entering and discharging from the site, must be managed. The site drainage network must provide the capacity to safely convey stormwater run-off resulting from design storm events listed in Council's Drainage Code E-4 (or any subsequently adopted Council guidelines).
  7. P.7Council will generally not permit the construction of stormwater drainage lines through public reserves.
  8. P.8The design and location of stormwater drainage structures, such as detention and rainwater tanks, is to be integrated with the landscape design for the site. Above-ground structures are not to be visually intrusive.

Notes: A Site Stormwater Management Plan addressing the above design principles and objectives may be required.

The discharge of polluted waters from the site is not permitted. Discharges from premises of any matter, whether solid, liquid or gaseous is required to conform to the Protection of the Environment Operations Act and its Regulations, or a pollution control approval issued by the Department of Environment and Conservation for Scheduled Premises.

Table 4.1 Scale of WSUD Application in Urban Catchments
Source UPRCT WSUD Techical Guidelines for Western Sydney
WSUD Measure Allotment Scale Subdivision Scale Open Space or Regional Scale
Vegetated Swales   Yes Yes
Vegetated Filter Strips Yes Yes Yes
Sand Filters Yes Yes  
Bioretention Systems
- Off-line (planting beds)		 Yes Yes Yes
- On-line (conveyance)   Yes Yes
Permeable Pavements Yes Yes  
Infiltration Trenches Yes Yes Yes
Infiltration Basins   Yes Yes
Rainwater Tanks Yes    
Landscape Developments Yes Yes Yes
Table 4.2 Role and Function of WSUD Measures
Source UPRCT WSUD Techical Guidelines for Western Sydney
WSUD Measure Water Quality Treatment Flow Attenuation* Reduction    in Runoff Volume*
Vegetated Swales H M L
Vegetated Filter Strips H M L
Sand Filters H M L
Bioretention Systems H M L
Permeable Pavements M H H
Infiltration Trenches H H H
Infiltration Basins H H H
Rainwater Tanks L H H
Landscape Developments M M L
Further Information
  • Water Sensitive Planning Guide - www.wsud.org
  • Water Sensitive Urban Design Technical Guidelines for Western Sydney - www.wsud.org
  • Parramatta City Council Drainage Code E-4, 'Disposal of Surface and Roofwater from Building Developments' and 'Design and Development Guidelines'