Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines: South Eastern Councils

Water Sensitive
Urban Design Guidelines

South Eastern Councils
Table of contents
Executive Summary 3
1. Introduction 4
1.1 Background 5
1.2 Purpose of the Guidelines 5
1.3 How to use the Guidelines 5
1.4 What is Water Sensitive Urban Design? 5
1.5 Why use Water Sensitive Urban Design? 6
1.6 Regulatory considerations for stormwater management 6
1.7 Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management 7
Guidelines for stormwater treatment
2. Planning and design 10

2.1 Step 1: Early planning 12
2.2 Step 2: Site assessment 15
2.3 Step 3: Concept design 16
2.4 Step 4: Submission of Concept Design 17
2.5 Step 5: Detailed Design 18
2.6 Step 6: Submission of Detailed Design 19
3. Construction and maintenance 20

3.1 Step 1: Preliminary operation and maintenance budget 22
3.2 Step 2: Design documentation 22
3.3 Step 3: Pre-construction meeting 22
3.4 Step 4: Construction 23
3.5 Step 5: Operation and maintenance plans 26
3.6 Step 6: Construction completion 27
3.7 Step 7: Defect liability period 27
3.8 Step 8: Maintenance handover 27
3.9 Step 9: On-going maintenance 29
4. References 31
5. Acknowledgements 32
Appendix A 33
Appendix B 36
2 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

Executive Summary
Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) forms an important part of integrated water
management. Innovative stormwater management, such as WSUD, can contribute greatly to
sustainability and liveability, particularly when considered as part of an overall urban strategy.
Councils recognise the importance of stormwater management and are striving for more
widespread implementation of WSUD in their municipalities. As such, these WSUD Guidelines
were created to promote the implementation of WSUD and to create consistency across the
councils in the southern and eastern regions of Melbourne.
These WSUD Guidelines set out councils’ expectations for WSUD projects within their
respective municipalities. They include the main guidelines document covering information
relevant to all councils, and an addendum document for each council outlining council specific
requirements. The WSUD Guidelines can be used as a reference for external stakeholders,
such as developers and consultants, as well as council.
The guidelines outline the key processes and requirements for WSUD in three main sections:
1. Introduction – Background information and regulatory considerations
2. Planning and design
3. Construction and maintenance
These three sections cover the overall processes, major hold points, approvals, handovers
and key considerations for each phase of a WSUD project. The WSUD Guidelines also outline
council specific requirements through the addendum document.
South Eastern Councils 3

1. Introduction
4 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines Addendum

1.1 Background 1.3 How to use the Guidelines
The importance of sustainable water management, These guidelines aim to provide clarity on WSUD
including Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD), processes and greater consistency across councils in the
is becoming more widely recognised by councils and southern and eastern regions of Melbourne. The WSUD
communities. As such, a number of councils are striving Guideline document should be used as a first point of
for more widespread implementation of WSUD within reference for all WSUD projects across Bass Coast Shire,
their municipalities. Baw Baw Shire, Cardinia, Casey, Greater Dandenong,
Maroondah, Mornington Peninsula, South Gippsland Shire
In 2011, Melbourne Water’s Living Rivers Stormwater
and Yarra Ranges Shire Councils. The WSUD Guidelines
Program provided funding to progress and finalise the
consist of a main document, common to all councils,
second round of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)
and a council specific addendum for each council.
Guidelines for councils on the southern and eastern fringe
of Melbourne. To assist Melbourne Water, Parsons The WSUD Guideline main document is broken down
Brinckerhoff was commissioned to develop the guidelines into three main sections: Introduction (Section 1),
and the council specific addenda for Bass Coast Shire, Planning and Design (Section 2), and Construction and
Baw Baw Shire, Cardinia, Casey, Greater Dandenong, Maintenance (Section 3). The diagrams shown at the
Maroondah, Mornington Peninsula, South Gippsland Shire beginning of Sections 2 and 3 provide an overview of
and Yarra Ranges Shire Councils. the key steps involved for each phase of the project.
The remainder of the section provides further detail on
each of these key steps and the processes and
1.2 Purpose of the Guidelines requirements involved. Appendices A and B outline the
functionality, applicability and main considerations for
These guidelines outline councils’ expectations for the different WSUD asset types. The main document
WSUD projects within their respective municipalities. and Appendices A and B provide information consistent
They are for use within council and to inform developers, across the region and should therefore remain the same
consultants and Owners Corporations for external for all councils.
projects. The document provides information on the
planning, design, construction and maintenance of WSUD The council addendum is referenced throughout the
systems. The information includes WSUD targets and main guideline document and should be referred to for
objectives, processes, approvals, and handovers for the all council specific WSUD requirements.
various phases of a WSUD project. Each Addendum
document also provides council specific information that
should be considered for WSUD projects within that 1.4 What is Water Sensitive Urban
particular council. Design?
The WSUD Guidelines do not seek to recreate the Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) integrates urban
technical guidance provided in other published water cycle management with urban planning and
documents (see the References section), but rather to design, with the aim of mimicking natural systems to
tie these documents together and act as a first reference minimise negative impacts on the natural water cycle
point for WSUD projects. The guidelines also seek to and receiving waterways and bays. It offers an alternative
provide greater consistency in WSUD requirements to the traditional conveyance approach to stormwater
between councils. management by acting at the development scale
A council working group for WSUD can also act as a (at the source), and thereby reducing the required size
first reference point and assist with the implementation of the structural stormwater system. It seeks to minimise
and promotion of the WSUD Guidelines within council. impervious surfaces, reuse water on site, incorporate
A working group can offer value to the development and retention basins to reduce peak flows, and incorporate
implementation of WSUD through guiding others in the treatment systems to remove pollutants. WSUD also
relevant processes and requirements. It can also function provides the opportunity to achieve multiple benefits
as a learning tool to discuss lessons learnt and to share though sustainable urban water management.
knowledge both within and between councils.

1. Introduction
The key principles of WSUD as stated in the Urban 1.6 Regulatory considerations for
Stormwater: Best Practice Environmental Management
Guidelines (BPEMG) (Victorian Stormwater Committee, stormwater management
1999) are: There are a number of regulatory considerations for
a. Protect and enhance natural water systems within stormwater management. They include water policy,
urban environments. such as the State Environment Protection Policy –
Waters of Victoria (see Section 1.6.1), as well as planning
b. Integrate stormwater treatment into the landscape,
provisions (see Section 1.6.2). More recently the Ministry
maximising the visual and recreational amenity of
Advisory Council for the Living Melbourne, Living Victoria
developments.
Plan for Water (2011) developed a Roadmap, which
c. Improve the quality of water draining from urban emphasises the importance of integrated water
developments into receiving environments. management. The Roadmap outlines strategic priorities
d. Reduce runoff and peak flows from urban to deliver ‘smart, secure water for a liveable, sustainable
developments by increasing local detention times and and productive Melbourne’. These general principles of
minimising impervious areas. sustainability, liveability and productivity can be
incorporated into council strategies to promote the
e. Minimise drainage infrastructure costs of development multiple benefits that can be achieved through innovative
due to reduced runoff and peak flows. stormwater management.
The following sections outline in further detail some of
the regulatory considerations for stormwater
1.5 Why use Water Sensitive management.
Urban Design?
Stormwater is the water that runs off our urban surfaces 1.6.1 State Environment Protection Policy
following rainfall events. It has been identified as a key (Waters of Victoria)
cause of pollution and declining health of our waterways. The State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) (Waters
of Victoria) (EPA Victoria, 2003) is a state wide policy
With increased urban development, the proportion of
requiring that runoff from urban and rural areas must not
impervious surfaces in our catchments increases.
compromise the beneficial uses of receiving waterways.
This increases the velocity and amount of water running
This policy specifically refers to stormwater pollution and
into our waterways, creating problems of erosion and
requires the implementation of measures to control its
flooding and changing natural flow regimes, with
environmental impact. WSUD is a tool used to comply
associated ecological damage. It also washes more
with this Policy.
pollutants into our streams, further impacting river health.
WSUD has been identified as a means to control flows 1.6.2 Victoria Planning Provisions
and filter stormwater to remove pollutants. It offers the
potential to reduce the costs, infrastructure sizing and The Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP) contains a number
occupied land area associated with conventional drainage of clauses that support the sustainable management
approaches whilst treating runoff closer to its source. of stormwater runoff from development, including the
This more effectively mimics a natural system and, use of WSUD. These include the State Planning Policy
as treatment can be located further upstream than for Framework Clauses 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 19, which
conventional approaches, is efficient by providing flow-on pertain to all types of development within the state.
effects that benefit the entire catchment. Councils are responsible for administering planning
policies, and these clauses provide a solid basis in the
WSUD is also an important component of integrated planning scheme for councils to apply WSUD
water management, and can contribute to multiple requirements to all developments, including residential,
benefits such as enhancing liveability. industrial and commercial uses.
The benefits of WSUD are such that the approach is now Furthermore, Clauses 56.07 and 56.08 of the VPP were
supported – and in some cases mandated – by various introduced on 9 October 2006, and have provided a
regulations and policies applied across Victoria. These are significant driver for the development of these guidelines.
briefly outlined in the following section. Clause 56.07 relates to integrated water management in
residential subdivisions, and Clause 56.07-4 and Standard
25 mandate best practice targets for pollutant load
reductions and flow discharges to be met in such
6 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines Addendum
developments. In most cases, this will necessitate the Clause 12 – Environmental and Landscape
incorporation of WSUD into the subdivision design. Values
Clause 56.08 establishes requirements for site Clause 12 aims to “protect the health of ecological
management during residential subdivision works and systems and the biodiversity they support” and to
includes many issues pertinent to the protection of “conserve areas with identified environmental and
WSUD systems, such as site sediment control. landscape values”. It states that “Planning must
This document is designed to guide the integration of implement environmental principles for ecologically
WSUD into all types of developments, including sustainable development that have been established by
residential, industrial and commercial. It does, in international and national agreements” and references
particular, also aim to set out and simplify the process a number of the agreements and strategies.
and requirements involved in satisfying Clause 56.07-4.
Clause 14 – Natural Resource Management
All of the abovementioned planning policies relating
Clause 14 aims to “assist in the conservation and wise use
to stormwater management apply state wide. Further
of natural resources including energy, water, land, stone
information on these policies is provided below.
and minerals to support both environmental quality and
Clause 10 – Operation of the State Planning sustainable development”.
Policy Framework Clause 14.02, Water, outlines objectives, strategies
This Clause, and the following Clauses, establishes the and policy guidelines for catchment planning and
link between the planning system and the state management, water quality and water conservation.
requirements for environmental protection and provides This clause includes protecting and restoring
guidance for developers from a planning perspective. waterways, catchments and other water bodies,
protecting water quality, and encouraging the use of
Clause 11 – Settlement alternative water sources.
Clause 11 aims to ensure a sufficient amount of land is
available for residential, commercial, industrial, Clause 15 – Built Environment and Heritage
recreational, institutional and other public uses within Clause 15 aims to protect “sites with significant heritage,
urban areas. It aims to contribute towards: architectural, aesthetic, scientific and cultural value”.
It aims to achieve high quality urban design to contribute
– “A high standard of urban design and amenity.
positively to communities, enhance liveability, reflect
– Prevention of pollution to land, water and air. cultural identity, and promote attractive and high amenity
– Protection of environmentally sensitive areas and communities.
natural resources.”

1. Introduction
Clause 19 – Infrastructure c. To minimise increases in stormwater run-off and

Clause 19 aims to ensure social and physical protect the environmental values and physical
infrastructure is provided in an “efficient, equitable, characteristics of receiving waters from degradation
accessible and timely” way. by urban run-off.”
Clause 19.03-2, Water supply, sewerage and drainage, Standard C25 sets out the normal way of meeting the
requires that planning and responsible authorities should Clause 56.07-4 objectives. Among other requirements,
ensure that: Standard C25 requires that urban stormwater
management systems ‘must’ be:
a. “Water quality in water supply catchments is protected
from possible contamination by urban, industrial and a. Designed to meet current best practice performance
agricultural land uses.” objectives for stormwater quality, as outlined in the
Urban Stormwater: Best Practice Environmental
b. Urban stormwater drainage systems take into account Management Guidelines (Victorian Stormwater
the catchment context, and “include measures to Committee, 1999) as amended. Refer to Section 1.7
reduce peak flows and assist screening, filtering and for more information.
treatment of stormwater, to enhance flood protection
and minimise impacts on water quality in receiving b. Designed to ensure that flows downstream of the
waters” and prevent intrusion of litter. subdivision site are restricted to predevelopment levels
unless increased flows are approved by the relevant
Clause 19.03-3, Stormwater, has a key objective to drainage authority and there are no detrimental
“reduce the impact of stormwater on bays and downstream impacts.
catchments” with strategies to:
Standard C25 requires that urban stormwater
a. “Support integrated planning of stormwater quality management systems must be designed and managed
through a mix of on-site measures and developer to the requirements of the relevant drainage authority.
contributions. This is typically Council, with the exception of catchments
b. Mitigate stormwater pollution from construction sites. of 60ha or more within the Melbourne Water drainage
boundary, when it is Melbourne Water.
c. Ensure stormwater and groundwater entering wetlands
do not have a detrimental effect on wetlands and Clause 56 Tool
estuaries.
Clearwater has developed the C56 Tool to support
d. Incorporate water-sensitive urban design techniques Victorian councils, developers, consultants and applicants
into developments to: when carrying out residential subdivisions. The C56 Tool
– Protect and enhance natural water systems. is designed to raise awareness and build understanding
– Integrate stormwater treatment into the landscape. of when Clause 56.07-4 applies. The Tool is made up of
– Protect quality of water. several elements including an interactive decision tree,
– Reduce run-off and peak flows. fact sheets, practice notes and checklists to assist in the
– Minimise drainage and infrastructure costs.” interpretation and associated processes with applying the
Clause. The C56 Tool can be accessed on Clearwater’s
Clause 56.07-4 and Standard C25 website – www.clearwater.asn.au. The Tool is supported
Under Clause 56.07-4 local councils are responsible for by Melbourne Water, the Municipal Association of
requiring that urban runoff from new residential Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and
subdivisions of 2 lots or more meet best practice water Environment.
quality and flow requirements. The objectives of Clause
56.07-4, which must be met, are:
a. “To minimise damage to properties and inconvenience
to residents from urban run-off.
b. To ensure that the street operates adequately during
major storm events and provides for public safety.

1.7 Urban Stormwater Best Practice
Environmental Management
Guidelines for stormwater treatment
The objectives for on-site treatment relating to urban
stormwater quality, as outlined by the Urban Stormwater:
Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines
(Victorian Stormwater Committee, 1999), are:
• 80% retention of the typical urban annual load for
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
Total Phosphorus (TP)
Total Nitrogen (TN)
gross pollutants (litter).
The guidelines prescribe that discharges for 1.5yr ARI
(Average Recurrence Interval) be maintained at
pre-development levels for stormwater treatments.
Retarding regular low flow events reduces in-stream
erosion that often results from urban development.
These stormwater quality objectives reflect the level of
stormwater management necessary to meet the SEPP
(Waters of Victoria) (EPA Victoria, 2003) requirements
and are the target design criteria for WSUD treatments.


Figure 2.1:
Planning and design process Step 1 Early Planning • Planning meeting
for WSUD projects. • Preliminary site assessment
• WSUD strategy and targets
• Preferred WSUD systems
Agreement of WSUD Principles • Preliminary design, construction
at planning meeting and maintenance considerations
• Clause 56
Step 2 Site Assessment • Site layout and topography

• Underground services
• Geotechnical characteristics
• Environmental/cultural
heritage
• Catchment characteristics
• Planning contraints
Step 3 Concept Design • Design considerations

• Modelling WSUD performance
Yes Step 4 Hold Point 1

Submit concept design to council.
Does concept design meet council
WSUD requirements?
Council request No
further information?
No Yes
Design not approved. Design approved with

Advise planning. planning conditions.
Planning Permit granted.
Advise planning.
Step 5 Detailed Design • Detailed site assessment

• Safety in design
• Landscape and planting
• Construction and maintenance
considerations
Amend design Step 6 Hold Point 2

Submit detailed design to council.
Is detailed design approved by council?
No
Yes
Design documentation for construction phase.

2.1 Step1: Early planning It is important to have the right representatives at the
planning meeting, and this may vary for council and
The early planning phase is important to establish site external projects:
characteristics, WSUD targets and preferred WSUD
• C
ouncil projects (e.g. capital works) – the planning
assets types for a particular project. The WSUD
meeting should include representatives from the
targets should align with overall council strategies.
relevant teams within council, for example; project
Many councils have adopted or are developing
manager, planning, engineering, drainage,
strategies with specific WSUD targets, which need to
environment and landscaping, infrastructure, and
be considered during this phase. Further information
maintenance. For major or sensitive projects, or projects
on the development of WSUD strategies can be found
as part of a Melbourne Water program, the planning
in “Developing a strategic approach to WSUD
meeting may also include representatives from
implementation” on the Clearwater website
Melbourne Water.
(www.clearwater.asn.au).
• E xternal projects (e.g. developments) – the planning
The early planning phase should also be used to consider
meeting will form part of the pre application process
any constraints that may arise through the design,
and should include representatives from council,
construction and maintenance phases. Melbourne Water
Melbourne Water or Catchment Management
and council expectations for each project should also be
Authority (particularly for larger or more complex
clearly established during the early planning phase.
projects), as well as the developers, consultants or
The following sections outline the key stages and actions contractors.
in the early planning phase.
The following sections outline in further detail some
of the topics that should be discussed at the planning
2.1.1 Planning meeting meeting.
A planning meeting should be held early in the planning
phase for both council and non-council projects. 2.1.2 Preliminary site assessment
The aim of the planning meeting is to establish agreed
A preliminary site assessment should be undertaken to
project strategies and targets, including a strategy to
determine the site and drainage characteristics. This site
address potential issues and constraints, and to clarify
assessment can be a high level assessment, but should
any project requirements. The planning meeting should
cover the following information:
cover the following information:
a. Location
• Site characteristics (see Section 2.1.2)
b. Type of development (e.g. residential, industrial, etc.)
• Drainage characteristics (see Section 2.1.2)
c. Area and number of lots
• WSUD strategies and targets (see Section 2.1.3)
d. Development density
• Preferred WSUD distribution (e.g. distributed or end
of line systems) (see Section 2.1.4) e. Proposed outfall / legal point of discharge (LPOD)
• Preferred WSUD asset types (see Section 2.1.4) g. Proposed extent of WSUD (indicative only)
• Clause 56 implications (see Section 2.1.5) f. Potential site constraints
• Design considerations (see Section 2.1.5) g. Environmental considerations (habitat identified
biodiversity significance)
• Preliminary construction, operation or maintenance
considerations (see Section 2.1.6) h. Cultural heritage considerations (e.g. waterway
corridors)
• Council and Melbourne Water expectations
• Precinct Structure Plan for growth areas
• Funding opportunities – from within council or external
support (e.g. private sector, government grants or
Melbourne Water programs)

2.1.3 WSUD strategy and targets Selection of WSUD asset type may depend on:
The WSUD strategy and targets should be established • Development type
in the early planning phase. These strategies and targets
• Treatment requirements (or other WSUD targets)
should be agreed on by all parties at the planning
meeting, and may include: • Catchment size
• Reducing runoff and inundation • Topography
• Reducing Directly Connected Imperviousness • Land availability
(refer to Developing a Strategic Approach to WSUD, The preference for a particular distribution of WSUD
on the Clearwater website www.clearwater.asn.au) assets (e.g. distributed throughout the catchment or end
• Stormwater treatment targets (refer to Section 1.7 of pipe systems), may also vary for different projects.
for treatment requirements) Examples of each of system are listed below:
• Water conservation • Distributed – raingardens located within smaller lots
throughout a development area, or swales located
• Maintaining environmental flows (refer to Section 1.7
through multiple streets within a catchment
for flow discharge requirements)
• End of pipe – a wetland located at the outlet of a larger
• Improving the local environment and landscape
development site
• Community benefits (such as high quality recreation
Factors impacting the distribution of WSUD systems may
areas)
include:
• Other council specific targets or strategies (refer to
• Development type and size
Addendum)
• Multiple site outlets
Precinct Structure Plans and Development Services
Schemes should also be considered, where applicable, • Existing or constructed waterways dividing the site
when establishing these targets. • Achieving multiple benefits (e.g. wetlands designed in
The WSUD strategies and targets will likely vary for the base of detention basins)
different projects and may be influenced by factors such • Construction and maintenance requirements (including
as; site location, receiving waterway (e.g. drainage pipe, access and on-going responsibilities)
constructed waterway, or existing waterway or bay),
project size, development type, and community • Minimising damage or disruption to existing
requirements. environment or assets
Consideration of where higher standards (e.g. above best The use of a distributed or end of line systems should be
practice standards or Clause 56 requirements) are discussed with Melbourne Water and council in the
required, for example where the receiving waterways are planning meeting. It may also be useful to discuss
identified as high value catchments or where threatened indicative locations for the WSUD asset.
species have been identified.
2.1.5 Design considerations
2.1.4 Preferred WSUD systems Discussing design requirements in the early planning
The preferred WSUD asset types and distribution of phase can be important to identify the general design
systems should be discussed in the planning meeting, and strategy and potential design consideration, assisting
based on the agreed strategies and targets as outlined in the later design phase. The design considerations should
Section 2.1.3. The WSUD system/s may consist of one be discussed in the planning meeting and may include;
treatment type or a treatment train of multiple assets to site constraints, integrating WSUD with existing drainage
meet these targets. Note that council may not support systems, requirements for smaller development sites, and
the use of all WSUD asset types, due to their unsuitability requirements for sites already within a Melbourne Water
for local topography, maintenance or safety requirements. Development Services Scheme. These design
Refer to the Addendum for the council approved list of considerations are outlined below.
WSUD treatment types. For an overview of the different
WSUD asset types and functionality refer to Appendix A
and B.

Site constraints Precinct Structure Plans

Any major site constraints should be reviewed in the Precinct Structure Plans (PSPs) set the future structure
planning phase and discussed at the planning meeting. for whole communities within Victoria’s growth areas.
Information on any site constraints should also be The development of these master plans is overseen by
handed over to the design team. the Growth Area Authority. The Growth Area Authority
(GAA) defines PSPs as follows:
Integrating WSUD with drainage systems
Precinct Structure Plans “provide more detail on the
The integration of WSUD systems with existing or land uses defined by the Growth Area Framework Plan.
proposed drainage systems should be thought about The Precinct Structure Plan shows how the objectives
during planning. The integration of WSUD with the of Clause 56 of the local planning scheme will be
drainage system will likely influence the preferred type achieved within the precinct. A permit application under
of WSUD asset or location within site. a Precinct Structure Plan must meet particular Objectives
Clause 56 and subdivisions within Melbourne set out in Clause 56 and should meet the Standards set
Water Development Services Schemes out in Clause 56, as appropriate. The Precinct Structure
Plan is incorporated into the local planning scheme to
Clause 56 promotes the implementation of integrated guide the use and development of land in the precinct
water management in urban developments. It also aims over the long term.”
to ensure that urban runoff from new residential
subdivisions meets best practice for stormwater quality Refer to Engineering Design and Construction manual for
and flow requirements. Clause 56 is included as part of Subdivisions in Growth Areas (GAA, 2011) for more
the Victorian Planning Provisions. Section 1.6.2 of this information on PSPs, or the GAA website for information
document and the Clearwater website outlines Clause 56 on the status of PSPs.
in more detail.
2.1.6 Preliminary construction, operations
The Development Services Schemes apply the key
and maintenance considerations
objectives of Clause 56 to an overall stormwater strategy.
Development Services Schemes have been developed Preliminary construction, operations and maintenance
for a number of locations within Greater Melbourne. requirements or principles should be considered in the
If a development occurs within the Development Services planning phase. It is important to consider these factors
Scheme area, reference should be made to this document in the planning phase to ensure council requirements
and the associated plans for the overall stormwater can be met and to assist with the later project phases.
strategy for the catchment. Refer to the Melbourne Water The following sections of these guidelines provide further
website and the Council Addendum for local information on construction, operations and maintenance
Development Services Schemes. requirements:
Refer to the Clearwater website (www.clearwater.asn.au) a. Section 2.5.3 and Section 3.4 for construction phase
for further information on Clause 56 and the Melbourne requirements.
Water website (www.melbournewater.com.au) for further b. Section 3.7 for defect liability requirements.
information on Development Services Schemes.
c. Section 2.5.4, 3.8 and 3.9 for maintenance and
Sites of less than 1ha handover requirements.
The Clause 56.07 Planning Practice Note (DSE, 2006) d. Section 3.1 for developing budgets for on-going
makes an exception for residential subdivisions of less operations and maintenance
than 1ha. Where best practice stormwater quality
e. Addendum for any council specific requirements.
requirements are not achieved and all reasonable actions
within the subdivision have been taken, the relevant f. Appendix A for relative performance, site suitability,
drainage authority may offer other options, as outlined approaches to site constraints and on-going
in the Practice Notes. maintenance considerations.
Alternative options to meet stormwater quality g. Appendix B for WSUD treatment descriptions,
requirements may include treating stormwater and design and maintenance considerations.
downstream as part of a larger scheme. Refer to the
addendum for council options.

2.2 Step 2: Site assessment • Geotechnical characteristics
• Environmental and cultural heritage features
A site assessment should be completed prior to
commencing design. This assessment will typically • Planning constraints
involve a desktop study and site visit for the concept • Climatic conditions
design phase. Further assessment may be required at
the detailed design phase for particular site characteristics • Upstream catchments
or identified issues. The assessment for the detailed • Catchment hydrology
design may be through a more detailed desktop analysis
or through assessments on site (e.g. geotechnical site • Integration of WSUD with existing or proposed
assessment). The type of information that should be drainage systems
collected as part of the site assessment may include: • Ecological condition of vulnerable or threatened
• Site layout and potential extent and locations available receiving waterways
for WSUD The information collected as part of the site assessment
• Topographic information including contours should be documented and used for the concept and
detailed design, and included in the design reports.

2.3 Step 3: Concept design 2.3.1 Modelling WSUD performance

A concept design is to be developed based on the required Stormwater treatment
WSUD targets (see Section 2.1.3), the appropriate WSUD The stormwater treatment performance of each
assets (see Section 2.1.4), and the results of the site WSUD system should be modelled using MUSIC.
assessment. The concept design should also take into The treatment system can include individual WSUD
account other design considerations, assets or a treatment train including multiple assets.
such as: There are a number of input parameters for MUSIC,
• M
ultiple WSUD benefits – design WSUD systems to and these should be based on the Council Addendum
achieve multiple stormwater benefits, such as and Melbourne Water MUSIC Guidelines (2010).
stormwater treatment, stormwater retention as well as • Rainfall data – refer to the Council Addendum.
water conservation and demand management. The appropriate rainfall station has been selected to
Consider if other benefits can also be achieved through best represent the region. Representative years of
the stormwater design, such as high quality open space rainfall data have been selected to best match
for communities. long-term meteorological records in terms of mean
• F looding – develop designs to minimise local annual rainfall and the 90th percentile of rainfall.
inundation. Rainfall data sets for stormwater treatment systems
should include a minimum of 1 year of rainfall data
• E nvironment – consider if WSUD can protect and with a 6 minute time step.
enhance the environment.
• Other input parameters – refer to the Melbourne
• Cultural heritage – determine if a cultural heritage Water MUSIC Guidelines (2010).
assessment is required (refer to the Planning Scheme
overlays, or the Heritage Victoria, Heritage Council of Note that STORM can also be used to model stormwater
Victoria or Aboriginal Affairs Victoria website for treatment performance. STORM is a simplified model
further information, or the Addendum for specific for rating stormwater quality performance for use on
council requirements). smaller catchments or sites, typically less than 1ha.
Refer to Melbourne Water for guidance on using STORM:
• Climate change – consider the impacts that climate http://wsud.melbournewater.com.au/content/storm/
change may have on a system, and if these need to be storm.asp
accounted for in the design.
• Community – consider opportunities for community Stormwater harvesting
engagement and education, such as signage, A basic water balance model should be developed for the
designing WSUD systems to be a community feature, concept design of stormwater harvesting schemes and
or information sessions and community meetings. rainwater tanks, to check the water demand requirements
are met. A basic water balance model can be created
• Preliminary construction and maintenance
using MUSIC, or calculations such as in a spreadsheet.
considerations – refer to Section 2.1.6.
The water balance model should include the demand
Concept design options should be modelled to check if
profile for the particular site and use the rainfall data
the proposed concept meets the required WSUD targets.
outlined in the Council Addendum. Note that a
Designs are typically modelled using the Model for Urban
longer rainfall data series (e.g. over 10 years) is preferred,
Stormwater Improvement Conceptualisation (MUSIC),
to create a more accurate water balance model.
as outlined in Section 2.3.1.
It is recommended that a 1 hour time step is used for
stormwater harvesting models in MUSIC.
Refer to the MUSIC Guidelines (Melbourne Water, 2010)
for details on input parameters and losses that may be
included, if using MUSIC.
The water balance model should also consider the
relevant stormwater diversion licence and the volume of
water that can be diverted to the system.

2.4 Step 4: Submission of Concept Report Contents
Design The report on the WSUD design intent should include
a summary of the treatment performance in terms of:
Concept design submissions are to include the following: a. Mean annual load (kg) from development area for
• Design report – on the WSUD design intent meeting Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Phosphorus (TP),
the requirements detailed in Section 2.3 Total Nitrogen (TN) and gross pollutants.
b. % reduction for TSS, TP, TN and gross pollutants for
• Concept design drawings
the total treatment train
• Maps or plans showing drainage, contour and c. % reduction for TSS, TP, TN and gross pollutants for
catchment information each treatment system in the treatment train
Concept designs must also satisfy the following WSUD Where rainwater tanks or stormwater harvesting systems
requirements: are proposed a continual water balance model should be
a. The concept design must consider future maintenance provided. It is preferred that a longer series of rainfall
requirements. Where council believes that the data (e.g. over 10 years) is used, with minimum missing
treatment may not be able to be adequately data, to provide a more accurate result in the model.
maintained, council may request additional The design report should include the demand profiles,
information. rainfall station and years of rainfall data adopted.
b. Use council approved WSUD treatment types (refer to The report should also include a description of the
the Addendum). function and intent of the WSUD systems, including:
• WSUD asset types
c. Meet the stormwater quality requirements for the • WSUD asset sizes
development (see Section 1.7 and Section 2.1.3).
The following information about the catchment and
d. Restrict discharges of 1.5 year ARI to pre-development MUSIC configuration should be included:
levels for stormwater quality treatment systems and
1 in 5 year ARI for the entire drainage system. For more a. Rainfall data used (refer to the Council Addendum)
information on calculating peak flows refer to the b. MUSIC input parameters for the WSUD treatment
Australian Rainfall and Runoff guide. systems or a printout of the input parameters and
relevant performance if using STORM
e. Meet any council specific design, construction, c. Land use zones and the fraction impervious used
maintenance and handover requirements in the d. Land use zones and the pollution concentration data
Addendum. used if different to the default parameters used in
f. The overall development plan must also address the MUSIC (not recommended unless justified by
relevant drainage, flood management, open space and scientifically sound, peer-reviewed studies)
public safety requirements for the development. e. Description of any deviation from the design process.
g. For developments within growth areas, concept designs The concept design report should also address
should also meet the drainage provision requirements construction, maintenance and handover considerations
as outlined in Section 4.9 of the Engineering Design and as outlined in Section 2.1.6.
Construction Manual for Subdivisions in Growth Areas
(Growth Area Authority, 2011). Electronic data to be provided to Council
An electronic copy of the following MUSIC model
2.4.1 Report on WSUD design intent information should be provided to council with the WSUD
Council approval will be subject to the WSUD treatment design intent report:
performance meeting the stormwater requirements, • Sqn or Sqz model of the catchment with WSUD
as per Section 1.7 and Section 2.1.3, and as set out measures
pre-application discussions. The concept design should
• Map showing drainage and contour information for the
include a report outlining the WSUD design intent and an
catchment and sub-catchments in MapInfo or other
electronic copy of the MUSIC (or STORM) model. Where
approved format. If an electronic copy is not available
STORM is used, a print-out of the input parameters and
then a hard copy may be acceptable.
relevant performance of the system should be submitted.
The concept design submission should also include a map The free MUSIC Auditor Tool may be used to identify and
or plan showing drainage, contour and catchment address any inappropriate input parameters prior to
information. submission. The tool is available at: http://music.
melbournewater.com.au
2.5 Step 5: Detailed Design 2010), Stormwater Biofiltration Systems Adoption

Guidelines Section 3.5.12 (FAWB, 2009)
The detailed design is to be developed based on the
• Council requirements (refer to Addendum)
approved concept design. The detailed design will
include the development of detailed design drawings, • Local environment and native vegetation
a design report as well as other design documentation. • Requirements for erosion control
Refer to the WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater
(Melbourne Water, 2005) for more information, including • Vegetation that can be easily maintained.
examples, on the design of each WSUD asset type.
Refer also to Appendix B for design considerations for 2.5.3 Construction phase requirements
the different WSUD assets. Appendices A and B provide detailed information
A detailed site assessment should be completed based about the specific construction considerations for the
on the items outlined in Section 2.2. There are a number different WSUD asset types. Some particular
of other factors that also need to be considered for requirements that should be considered for all WSUD
each WSUD design. The sections below outline in further projects, and documented as part of the design
detail some of these considerations. Refer also to the documentation, are listed here:
Addendum for council specific requirements. • Planting – best conducted during autumn months.
However the timing of planting also depends on
2.5.1 Safety in Design adequate water availability, adequate by-pass of high
Safety in design must be addressed for all WSUD designs. winter flows, and the schedule for the development.
Safety considerations may include: • A detailed Site Environmental Management Plan (SEMP)
• Site access (for construction and maintenance) – should be submitted with the design documentation.
for staff and machinery/vehicles Refer to Section 3.2 for further detail.
• Safety considerations during construction • Preferred site access (for staff and machinery/vehicles)
• Public access • Asset protection measures (refer to Section 3.4.1)
• Appropriate signage to identify risks (for example deep • Areas for stockpiling cut and fill
water, use of recycled water, confined spaces etc.) • Defect liability periods (refer to Section 3.7)
• Batters and requirements for open water (refer to
Melbourne Water Constructed Wetlands Guidelines, 2.5.4 Maintenance phase requirements
and the Royal Life Saving guidelines) The following items should be considered during the
• Batters for maintenance – steepest 1 in 5 design phase. Documentation indicating how these items
have been addressed will be required as part of the
• Risks of using recycled water, refer to NWQMS Detailed Design documentation.
Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing
Health and Environmental Risks (Phase 2) – Stormwater • preliminary maintenance plans: responsibilities,
Harvesting and Reuse (2009) requirements, clearly locating assets to be maintained
and indicative costs
• Flood depths and velocities – refer to the Guidelines for
Development in Flood-prone areas (Melbourne Water, • asset handover arrangements, where appropriate,
2007) including defect liability and timeframes
• Locations of existing services • maintenance access for staff and vehicles/machinery:
considering required maintenance frequency,
2.5.2 Landscape and planting if ‘all weather’ access is required, safety requirements,
environmental impacts of access tracks, and aesthetics
Landscape and planting plans are to be included with of the overall system
the detailed design. Vegetation type should be chosen
based on: Designs should also consider any council specific
maintenance and handover requirements as detailed in
• WSUD asset type and treatment requirements the Addendum, and the on-going maintenance activities
(refer to WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater for specific treatment types as discussed in Appendices A
Appendix A (Melbourne Water, 2005), Constructed and B.
Wetlands Guidelines Appendix 4 (Melbourne Water,

2.6 Step 6: Submission of Detailed The detailed design submissions must also satisfy the
following WSUD requirements:
Design
a. Be consistent with the concept design (Section 2.3),
Detailed design submissions are to include the following: i.e. be consistent with the submitted MUSIC model,
• Design report – to address all stormwater drainage, including parameters used therein (if these change,
quality and conservation issues a new MUSIC model should be submitted to reflect
the changes).
• Detailed design drawings
b. Use council approved WSUD treatment types
• Site management plan – which meets the construction (see Council Addendum).
phase requirements
c. Meet the stormwater quality requirements for the
• Digital data for the asset management systems (refer to development (see Section 1.7 and 2.1.3).
Council Addendums for specific data requirements)
d. Restrict discharges of 1.5 year ARI to pre-development
• Indicative management arrangements or plans for levels for stormwater quality treatment systems and
maintenance and handover of WSUD assets, that meet 1 in 5 year ARI for the entire drainage system.
the defect liability requirements (refer to Section 3.7)
e. Meet any council specific design or maintenance
• Preliminary life cycle costing estimates – based on requirements as per the Addendum.
previous experience, guidelines and the Melbourne
Water WSUD Life Cycle Costing analysis (currently f. The overall development plan must also address the
being developed – refer to the Clearwater and relevant drainage, flood mitigation, space and public
Melbourne Water websites). Refer to Section 3.1 for safety requirements for the development.
further information g. For developments within growth areas, detailed designs
should also meet the design submission content
requirements as outlined in Section 6.2 of the
Engineering Design and Construction Manual for
Subdivisions in Growth Areas (Growth Area Authority,
2011).


The construction, operation and maintenance requirements will
vary for different WSUD assets. However, there are a number of
processes common to all WSUD systems that should be adopted to
ensure WSUD assets are constructed and maintained to function
properly. Figure 3.1 below shows the typical process for the
construction and operation and maintenance phases, with more
detail outlined in the sections below.
Figure 3.1:
Construction and Step 1 Preliminary operation
maintenance process and maintenance budget
for WSUD.
Step 2 Design documentation • Detailed design drawings

• Tender documentation
• Specifications
• Environmental management plan
Tendering process • Traffic management plan
• O&M input
Step 3 Pre-construction meeting • Handover design documentation

• Confirm construction method
• Confirm asset protection
Step 4 Construction • Asset protection

• Site access
• Safety
Step 5 Operation and • Environmental controls
maintenance plans • Validate construction and
materials
• Hold Point – drainage connection
Step 6 Construction completion
Repair asset Hold Point 2 Construction inspection

as required Is asset constructed according to
design without any damage?
No
Yes
Step 7 Defect liability period
Repair asset Hold Point 3 Asset Handover

as required Check – Is system functioning properly
(as per design) without any damage?
No
Yes
Step 8 Maintenance handover • Ownership meeting

• Add to Asset management system
• Handover O&M plans
Step 9 On-going maintenance • Monitoring

• Update lifecycle costs
• Ongoing education
• Asset management

3.1 Step 1: Preliminary operation and • Site Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) –
to be completed by the construction company and
maintenance budget submitted prior to construction. Refer to the Clause
A preliminary estimate of the operation and maintenance 56.08 Planning Practice Note (DSE, 2006) for further
costs should be developed. The preliminary estimate guidance on the contents of an SEMP. The SEMP should
should be used to inform council maintenance budgets. at least:
This estimate may be based on: – identify areas of stockpiling
• previous experience – specify how creeks, drains, pits, adjoining properties,
• case studies streets and WSUD treatment systems will be
protected during construction from inappropriately
• maintenance team knowledge or data located stockpiled material, sediment laden runoff,
• information from developers tracking of soil from the site and damage from
vehicles. Refer to Section 3.4.1.
• information from neighbouring councils
For temporary asset protection measures refer to Section
• guidelines (e.g. Maintaining WSUD Elements 3.4.1 and the EPA publications Doing it Right on
(EPA, 2008)) Subdivisions, Temporary Environmental Protection
• cost estimates developed as part of the Melbourne Measures for Subdivision Construction Sites (2004) and
Water WSUD Life Cycle Costing assessment (scheduled Keeping our Stormwater Clean – A builders guide (2007).
completion 2012) • Traffic Management Plan (if required) – may be
The preliminary cost estimate should be updated during required where works will impact traffic, or the site is
the construction and design phases as more information located within or near a road reserve. Requirements for
(including actual costs) becomes available, and the council a Traffic Management Plan for a particular project will
maintenance budgets updated accordingly. be determined by council.
Following the development of the design documentation
there is a hold point. At this stage the design
3.2 Step 2: Design documentation documentation must be submitted to council for approval
Design documentation is to be provided for the prior to construction (as part of the design phase – see
construction phase, following approval by council. Section 2.6). If the documents are not approved, discuss
Design documentation needs to be clear with sufficient any issues with council.
information to complete construction. In some cases
an iterative process may be required between the
construction and design team, for example to clarify any 3.3 Step 3: Pre-construction meeting
design issues or uncertainties, or if further information is A pre-construction meeting is to be held prior to
required. Design documentation may include: commencing construction. The purpose of this meeting is
• detailed design drawings –to include sufficient to handover design documentation (refer to Section 3.2)
information for construction to be completed and easy and to confirm the construction method.
to understand. Detail design drawings need to consider The pre-construction meeting should also be used to
construction and maintenance issues, discuss any site specific issues, such as:
such as site access, locations of underground services • Safety considerations
and safety considerations.
• Measures to limit public access
• tender documents and specifications – to be developed
for both the civil works and the landscape works prior • Locations of underground services
to the tendering process. Documents should consider • Asset protection measures – refer to Section 3.4.1
timing of works, hold points for the remaining phases,
material supply and material availability. Specifications • Construction hold points, materials validation and
may include both technical specifications (e.g. filter required signoffs – refer to Section 3.4.2
media), or general site establishment specifications. • Environmental controls – in accordance with Site
Environmental Management Plan (refer to Section 3.2)
• Traffic controls (if applicable) – in accordance with
Traffic Management Plan (refer to Section 3.2)

The pre-construction meeting should include Table 3.1 Construction inspection checklists for
representatives from the design and construction teams. WSUD assets
This meeting can save considerable time during the WSUD asset Reference
construction phase and can help prevent issues arising
Sedimentation Construction Inspection Checklist – During
through construction. basin Construction, Section 4.4.3 of WSUD Engineering
Procedures (Melbourne Water, 2005)
For subdivision developments within the growth areas,
the pre-construction or pre-commencement meeting Bioretention swale Construction Inspection Checklist – During
Construction, Section 5.4.3 of WSUD Engineering
should also comply with Chapter 18 of the Engineering Procedures (Melbourne Water, 2005)
Design and Construction Manual for Subdivisions in
Bioretention basin Construction Inspection Checklist – During
Growth Areas (Growth Area Authority, 2011). Construction, Section 6.4.3 of WSUD Engineering
Sand filters Construction Inspection Checklist – During
3.4 Step 4: Construction Construction, Section 7.4.3 of WSUD Engineering
Construction of WSUD assets is to be undertaken in Wetlands Construction Inspection Checklist – During

accordance with the detailed design drawings and other Procedures (Melbourne Water, 2005)
design documentation. All design documentation needs
Constructed Construction Inspection Checklist – During
to be approved by council and handed over prior to this wetlands Construction, Section 9.4.3 of WSUD Engineering
stage (refer to Sections 3.2 and 3.3 for more information). Procedures (Melbourne Water, 2005)
The construction should occur in accordance with the Ponds and lakes Construction Inspection Checklist – During
construction method, and other site specific requirements Procedures (Melbourne Water, 2005)
(e.g. asset protection, safety measures, limiting public
Infiltration Construction Inspection Checklist – During
access, environmental controls, hold points etc.) agreed in measures Construction, Section 11.4.3 of WSUD Engineering
the pre-construction meeting (refer to Section 3.3). Procedures (Melbourne Water, 2005)
This section describes options for asset protection, and GPTs Construction Inspection Checklist – During
Construction, Refer to manufacturer specifications
outlines required hold points and validation measures
throughout the construction phase. For further
information on the construction considerations for the
specific WSUD asset types refer to Appendix A and B and
the WSUD Engineering Procedures (Melbourne Water,
2005). For construction inspection checklists during
construction refer to Table 3.1.
Photo
3.4.1 Asset protection In some cases a multi-phase approach may be required

for the construction of WSUD assets. For example, in a
The existing environment (including vegetation,
development that is being constructed over a number of
waterways, existing infrastructure etc.) and the WSUD
years the design and construction of WSUD assets may
assets need to be protected during construction.
also need to be staged to match the overall development.
Asset protection measures are to be confirmed at the
Consideration of asset protection and ensuring the
pre-construction meeting (refer to Section 3.3).
design requirements are achieved with each construction
The primary form of asset protection should be through phase (e.g. enough runoff is provided for raingardens),
building controls, for example to prevent sediment from is important in multi-phase developments.
washing off site in stormwater runoff. At source building
controls may include: 3.4.2 Validate construction and materials
• wheel washes There are several hold points through the construction
• gravel crossover from the construction area to phase when validation of the construction and/or the
site boundary materials being used should occur. For general checklists
during the construction phase refer to Table 3.1. Some of
• rubbish bins on site to contain litter the construction phase checks will be common to all
• reduce waste WSUD assets, for example:
• maintain existing vegetation • Maintenance access provided
• silt fences or straw bales to contain stockpiles • Vegetation – it may be useful to record the type,
extent and densities of vegetation planted during the
• locating stockpiles away from low point on site
construction phase (e.g. by photograph) to compare to
• catch drains at the end of the Defects Liability Period.
For more information on building controls refer to • Provision for high flows during the construction phase
Keeping Our Stormwater Clean – A Builder’s Guide (e.g. high flow by-pass, erosion control measures, etc.)
(EPA and Melbourne Water, 2007), which is available on – these should be checked at the beginning of the
the Clearwater website (www.clearwater.asn.au). construction phase and after high rainfall events
throughout construction.
Asset protection measures may also be required to
protect the surrounding environment, drainage • Drainage connection – ensure correct connection to
infrastructure or WSUD assets during the construction existing drainage lines.
phase. These measures may include:
Other hold points will vary for the different WSUD asset
• silt fences types, as outlined in Table 3.2. Photographs of the asset or
signoff by council may be required at the various hold
• straw bales
points, and the council requirements for this should be
• fences/bollards around WSUD treatment systems discussed at the pre-construction meeting.
• sacrificial layers in treatment systems
• temporary planting during construction for sediment
control (e.g. with turf), which can then be removed and
the area planted out with long term vegetation
• temporary sedimentation basins
• temporary diversions of stormwater around WSUD
asset during construction

Table 3.2 Construction hold points and materials validation
WSUD asset type Hold point & validation Reference information
Bioretention basin and 1. Liner – check liner is installed properly (if clay liner – check compaction, 1. Refer to design drawings
bioretention swales if geotextile – ensure liner is installed properly without any damage).
(raingardens)
2. Perforated/slotted pipes – check perforated pipes are installed as per 2. Refer to design drawings Section 6.4.2 WSUD
design plans, and check inspection openings (if applicable). Engineering Procedures (Melbourne Water, 2005)
3. Filter media – check the hydraulic conductivity meets design 3. Appendix E (In situ monitoring of hydraulic
requirements (certified by the supplier otherwise in-situ testing should conductivity), Adoption Guidelines for
be conducted). Note avoid traffic access on filter media. Check level of Stormwater Biofiltration Systems (FAWB, 2009)
filter media and ensure extended detention depth is as specified in the Section 5.4.2 WSUD Engineering Procedures
design drawings. (Melbourne Water, 2005)
4. Inlet & outlet structures – check construction of structures in 4. Section 5.4.2 and 6.3.2 WSUD Engineering
accordance with design plans. Check for erosion or scour after major Procedures (Melbourne Water, 2005)
rainfall events. If road side inlet, check width of flow in the gutter to
ensure traffic is not impacted.
Constructed wetlands 1. Base layer – ensure smooth transitions between different depth zones, 1. Section 9.4.2 WSUD Engineering Procedures
or benches, and batter slopes. Check liner (if applicable) in accordance (Melbourne Water, 2005) Design drawings
with design plans.
2. Batter slopes – as per design plans and in accordance with safety 2. Section 10.3.2.3 WSUD Engineering Procedures
requirements (Melbourne Water, 2005) Figure 4 and Section 6
Constructed Wetlands Guidelines
3. Inlet & outlet structures – check construction of structures, including 3. Section 10.3.3 and 10.4.2 WSUD Engineering
invert levels and erosion protection measures, and access. Procedures (Melbourne Water, 2005)
GPTs 1. GPT installation – as per manufacturers specifications (note 1. Manufacturers specifications
manufacturer guarantee for system should also be obtained)
2. Back fill – as per design drawings and to match finished surface level 2. Design drawings
3. Hardstand – as per design drawings and manufacturer requirements 3. Design drawings
Infiltration measures 1. Infiltration media – as per design. Note avoid traffic access on media. 1. Design drawings Section 11.4.2 WSUD
Engineering Procedures (Melbourne Water, 2005)
2. Inspection wells – as per design 2. Design drawings Section 11.4.2 WSUD
3. Pre-treatment measures and/or detention storage – as per design 3. Design drawings Section 11.4.2 WSUD
Ponds and lakes 1. Depths – as per design plans 1. Design drawings
2. Batter slopes – as per design plans and in accordance with safety 2. Section 4.3.3 WSUD Engineering Procedures
requirements (Melbourne Water, 2005)
3. Inlet & outlet structures – check construction of structures, including 3. Section 4.4.2 WSUD Engineering Procedures
invert levels and erosion protection measures (Melbourne Water, 2005)
Sand filters 1. Impervious liner – check installation as per design plans 1. Section 7.3.2.2 WSUD Engineering Procedures
(Melbourne Water, 2005)
2. Slotted collection pipes – check slotted pipes are installed as per 2. Refer to design drawings Section 7.3.3 and 7.4.2
design plans, and check inspection openings (if applicable). WSUD Engineering Procedures (Melbourne
Water, 2005)
3. Sand media – check against sand media specifications. Note avoid 3. Section 7.3.2.2 and 7.4.3 WSUD Engineering
traffic access on sand media. Procedures (Melbourne Water, 2005)
Sedimentation basin 1. Base layer – check maintenance base layer (e.g. rock or sand layer) has 1. Section 4.4.2 WSUD Engineering Procedures
been installed as per design. (Melbourne Water, 2005)
2. Batter slopes – as per design plans and in accordance with safety 2. Section 4.3.3 WSUD Engineering Procedures
requirements (Melbourne Water, 2005)
3. Inlet & outlet structures – check construction of structures, including 3. Section 4.4.2 WSUD Engineering Procedures
invert levels and erosion protection measures (Melbourne Water, 2005)
Swale & buffer strips 1. Inlet structure – check construction of structure, including invert levels 1. Section 8.4.2 WSUD Engineering Procedures
and erosion protection measures (Melbourne Water, 2005)

3.5 Step 5: Operation and 3.5.2 Maintenance plans

maintenance plans Maintenance plans should be developed for all WSUD
assets. The plans need to clearly identify the maintenance
Operation and maintenance plans should be developed requirements and state who is responsible for the
during the construction phase, and approved by council on-going maintenance. All maintenance plans should be
prior to handover of WSUD assets. The plans should take approved by council prior to commencement of the
into account the maintenance considerations from the maintenance period.
earlier stages, such as those noted in the design phase.
Maintenance plans should include:
The plans should also consider any issues or changes
required as a result of the construction phase. • a description or plan showing the location of assets
that require maintenance. Marker locations may also be
The operation and maintenance plans may be a generic
required for pits or other infrastructure that cannot be
council plan for a particular WSUD asset type, or one
easily found (e.g. once vegetation is established), but
specific to the project. The plans should clearly outline the
requires maintenance
roles and responsibilities for the WSUD asset. Further
detail on the operation and maintenance plans is outlined • required inspections and frequencies
below. For examples of operations and maintenance plans • the required maintenance tasks, for example:
refer to the Clearwater website (www.clearwater.asn.au).
– cleaning the asset, removal and safe legal disposal
3.5.1 Operation plans (in accordance with EPA standards) of litter, debris, silt
and sediment
The requirement for an operation plan should be – removal and replacement of the filter media
determined on a case by case basis, but is typically – edge control and erosion management
required for WSUD systems that are difficult to operate – vegetation management, including: weed removal,
(e.g. stormwater harvesting schemes with complex mowing, tree pruning and replacement of plants and
control systems or wetlands that include penstocks to mulch
control water level). Operation plans include the details – maintaining pumps, controls and wiring
and requirements for the operational components of a – on-going monitoring and reporting.
WSUD asset, and may include the following type of
information: • maintenance procedure and any specific equipment
that may be required
• photographs and locations of relevant components
(including clearly marking components e.g. with a • materials list and supplier details
bollard or sign) • manufacturers documents, warranties and schedules
• make and manufacturer • plant lists
• purpose of each component • monitoring method
• operational requirements • maintenance access (note: frequency of access, timing
• expected frequency of operation. (e.g. if all weather access is required), safety
requirements, environmental impacts and aesthetics
For an example operation plan refer to Appendix 6 of the should all be considered in regards to maintenance
Constructed Wetland Guidelines (Melbourne Water, access)
2010).
• any site specific requirements (e.g. locks on systems to
prevent vandalism)
• an estimate of the on-going maintenance costs to be
included in budgets.
For further information on required maintenance activities
and maintenance plans refer to Appendix A and the
WSUD Engineering Procedures (Melbourne Water, 2005).
For further information on vegetation management refer
to Maintaining Water Sensitive Urban Design Elements
(EPA, 2008) and WSUD Engineering Procedures
(Melbourne Water, 2005).

3.6 Step 6: Construction completion 3.7 Step 7: Defect liability period
Following the construction completion (in accordance The defect liability period begins after construction
with the design plans) a construction inspection should completion and approval by council at the final
occur (see Section 3.3.1). After approval by council at the construction inspection (refer to Section 3.3.1).
construction inspection meeting the Defect Liability
Agreement between council and the developer should be
Period begins (refer to Section 3.7), and following that
made for the following defects liability periods (to
the maintenance handover occurs (refer to Section 3.8).
commence after the final construction inspections of the
This section of the document outlines the requirements
WSUD treatments – refer to Section 3.3.1):
for the construction inspection.
• Civil assets (e.g. pipes and concrete structures) –
3.6.1 Construction inspection 12 months
A construction inspection is required at the end of • Landscape vegetation/plantings and filter media –
construction. The construction inspection should involve 24 months
representatives from the construction team as well as The defect liability period should also be used to validate
from council (e.g. the Superintendent). Inspections and the operation and maintenance plans and budgets. If it is
sign-offs will be required at this stage, to confirm approval found during the defects liability period that changes to
by council prior to the starting Defects Liability Period. the operation and maintenance plans or budgets are
The Construction Inspection Checklists (Final Inspection) required, these should be reported back to council.
in the WSUD Engineering Procedures (Melbourne Water,
2005), can be used as a guide for typical inspection
requirements for the various WSUD asset types (see Table 3.8 Step 8: Maintenance handover
3.3.). Note that additional items, above those listed in the
checklists, may also need to be checked as per the design The handover process from the construction phase to the
drawings. maintenance phase typically involves an ownership
meeting, handover of the operation and maintenance
Table 3.3 Construction inspection checklists plans, and inspection and handover of the WSUD asset.
for WSUD assets It is important that all relevant parties, including council
WSUD asset Reference representatives and external stakeholders, are involved in
this process, so everyone has a clear understanding of the
Sedimentation Construction Inspection Checklist – Final Inspection,
basin Section 4.4.3 of WSUD Engineering Procedures roles and responsibilities for the on-going maintenance of
(Melbourne Water, 2005) the WSUD asset.
Bioretention swale Construction Inspection Checklist – Final Inspection,
Section 5.4.3 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
3.8.1 Ownership meeting
Bioretention basin Construction Inspection Checklist – Final Inspection,
A meeting should be held prior to handover of the WSUD
Section 6.4.3 of WSUD Engineering Procedures asset to clearly define the ownership and roles and
(Melbourne Water, 2005) responsibilities for the WSUD system. This meeting
Sand filters Construction Inspection Checklist – Final Inspection, should involve the relevant representatives from within
Section 7.4.3 of WSUD Engineering Procedures council (e.g. project manager, design or engineering team,
maintenance team, parks and gardens team etc.) as well
Wetlands Construction Inspection Checklist – Final Inspection,
Section 8.4.3 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
as the relevant external stakeholders (e.g. maintenance
(Melbourne Water, 2005) contractors, Owners Corporation). This meeting should be
Constructed Construction Inspection Checklist – Final Inspection, used to:
wetlands Section 9.4.3 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
• define the ownership of the asset
Ponds and lakes Construction Inspection Checklist – Final Inspection, • determine who is responsible for maintaining the
Section 10.4.3 of WSUD Engineering Procedures WSUD asset, or if there will be multiple groups involved
(note if multiple groups are involved clearly define who
Infiltration Construction Inspection Checklist – Final Inspection, is responsible for each component of the WSUD asset)
measures Section 11.4.3 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
(Melbourne Water, 2005) • determine if training is required for the maintenance
GPTs Refer to manufacturer specifications team (internal or external).

The ownership meeting can help save time in the later 3.8.3 Asset handover
stages of handover and on-going maintenance, and can
Handover of the WSUD assets should occur following the
help to ensure that the roles and responsibilities are
defect liability period (refer to Section 3.7) and the
clearly defined prior to handover.
development of the operation and maintenance plans
(refer to section 3.5). A final site inspection should occur
3.8.2 Asset management prior to handover, and the relevant WSUD asset handover
Asset management systems are used by council to checklist completed at this time (refer to Table 3.4 below).
register, track and manage assets, including WSUD assets. The handover inspection is to ensure that the WSUD asset
They typically combine geographic information and has been constructed as per the design and that the
asset management information. Asset management system has been functioning correctly through the defects
databases can be used to inform capital works programs, liability period. The handover inspection should also be
forecast life cycle and maintenance budgets and for used to ensure the maintenance team (internal or external)
maintenance contracts and programs. Council therefore has received all the relevant maintenance information and
require all relevant WSUD information to be provided in documentation. The asset handover inspection meeting
the appropriate format for the inclusion in the asset should therefore involve all relevant council and external
management system during the handover process. stakeholders (e.g. maintenance team, project manager,
Information required may include: developer, construction team representative, Owners
Corporation, council representative).
• ‘as constructed’ drawings and information (showing
details of all WSUD assets such as invert levels, Table 3.4 Asset handover checklists for WSUD assets
locations etc.) WSUD asset Asset Handover Checklist
• operation and maintenance plans (including roles &
responsibilities) Sedimentation basin Section 4.4.4 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
• estimated life cycle and maintenance costs Bioretention swale Section 5.4.4 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
• actual maintenance tasks completed and costs Bioretention basin Section 6.4.4 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
Sand filters Section 7.4.4 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
Refer to the Melbourne Water Asset Inventory project
(currently being developed), for information on WSUD Swale & buffer strips Section 8.4.4 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
asset management systems. Refer to the Council Constructed wetlands Section 9.4.4 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
Addendum for further information on the specific asset Ponds and lakes Section 10.4.4 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
management database requirements for each council,
Infiltration measures Section 11.4.4 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
and the information and format required during the
GPTs Refer to manufacturer specifications
handover process.
Photo

3.9 Step 9: On-going maintenance 3.9.2 Lifecycle costs
Lifecycle and maintenance costs should be determined for
The on-going maintenance tasks will vary for the different
each WSUD system and included in the maintenance
WSUD systems, but should be based on the operations
budgets. Replacement and renewal costs should also be
and maintenance plans developed, as outlined in Section
included in the lifecycle estimates. Costs can be estimated
3.5 above. The WSUD Engineering Procedures (Melbourne
based on past experience, case studies, maintenance team
Water, 2005), Maintaining Water Sensitive Urban Design
knowledge or data, information from private developers,
Elements (EPA, 2008), and Appendix A provide further
or information from neighbouring councils. Guidelines can
information on typical maintenance tasks for the various
also be used for an initial estimate, for example the costs
WSUD asset types. Table 3.5 below also provides
outlined in Maintaining WSUD Elements (EPA, 2008), or
reference checklists for indicative maintenance activities.
those that will be documented as part of the Melbourne
Refer also to the maintenance guidelines currently being
Water WSUD Lifecycle Costing assessment.
developed by Melbourne Water.
Lifecycle and maintenance costing should be an iterative
Table 3.5 Maintenance checklists for WSUD assets
process and actual costs should be fed back into the initial
WSUD asset Maintenance Checklist estimates, to more accurately assess costs and to inform
future budgets.
Sedimentation basin Section 4.5 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
Bioretention swale Section 5.5 of WSUD Engineering Procedures 3.9.3 Education
Section 4.3 and Appendix D of Stormwater Education is a crucial element for the on-going success of
Biofiltration Systems Adoption Guidelines (FAWB,
2009)
WSUD projects. Education can include both learning and
training for those involved in the different phases of WSUD
Bioretention basin Section 6.5 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
projects (e.g. council, developers, maintenance contractors),
Section 4.3 and Appendix D of Stormwater
Biofiltration Systems Adoption Guidelines (FAWB, as well as community education. Education for those
2009) involved in WSUD projects is important to ensure WSUD
Sand filters Section 7.5 of WSUD Engineering Procedures systems are planned, designed, constructed and maintained
Swale & buffer strips Section 8.5 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
properly. Education opportunities may include:
Constructed wetlands Section 9.5 of WSUD Engineering Procedures • WSUD working groups across departments within
Ponds and lakes Section 10.5 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
council – to discuss ideas, issues and lessons learnt, and
to offer guidance on WSUD projects within council
Infiltration measures Section 11.5 of WSUD Engineering Procedures
GPTs Refer to manufacturer specifications
• Informal discussions, meetings or working groups
between neighbouring councils
The following sections outline other activities, including
• Clearwater’s education programs – refer to section
monitoring, updating lifecycle costs and education, which
below
should occur as part of the on-going maintenance phase.
Community education is important to raise awareness
3.9.1 Monitoring and promote the benefits of WSUD systems. Community
education opportunities may include:
On-going monitoring of WSUD systems is recommended
to check the functionality of WSUD assets. A monitoring • signage
regime needs to be developed to effectively monitor the • community meetings
system, to ensure monitoring results accurately represent
the functionality of the system. Regimes should include • newsletters
regular monitoring of the WSUD systems, rather than • ‘friends of’ groups
irregular spot samples that won’t always accurately
represent the system functionality. • opening events or education events for key WSUD
projects
The monitoring method should be outlined in the
maintenance plan and should clearly state the required Refer to the Council Addendum for any council specific
monitoring frequency. Monitoring results should be requirements for community education.
reported back to council. These results should be
considered in future WSUD design and for determining
on-going maintenance activities, and can also be used to
inform future maintenance budgets.

Clearwater education programs Through funding contributions, expertise and guidance,

Clearwater is a leading capacity building program in Living Rivers provides councils with the support they
sustainable water management that plays a critical role in need to:
shaping a water sensitive future. They offer a number of • Build understanding, skills and organisational
capacity building initiatives to help build the knowledge commitment for sustainable stormwater quality
and skills of practitioners who plan, design and manage management.
WSUD.
• Develop relationships across local government by
Clearwater’s education program offers: supporting Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)
• technical training networks.
• guided technical tours • Develop strategies and targets which enhance a

council’s direction and commitment to sustainable
• knowledge sharing and tailored events stormwater management.
• online information and resource library • Design and implement on-ground works that provide
• online C56 Tool opportunities for innovation and learning across local
government.
• guidance and support
• Train staff to address knowledge gaps in council
For more information on training and education
opportunities refer to the Clearwater website: www. Refer to the Melbourne Water website for further
clearwater.asn.au information on the Living Rivers Program.
Living Rivers program

The Living Rivers Stormwater Program provides support
to enable council to set and achieve its objectives for
sustainable water management. Living Rivers works in
partnership with 38 local governments across Melbourne
Water’s operating area with key aims to:
• improve stormwater quality runoff for improved
waterway and bay health
• create green open spaces and enhance urban
landscapes
• mitigate urban heat island impacts
• influence site scale flood mitigation
• contribute to potable water substitution

4. References
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), 2006, VPP Practice Note: Using the integrated water management
provisions of Clause 56 – Residential Subdivision
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), 2006, VPP Practice Note: Using the site management provisions
of Clause 56 – Residential Subdivision
EPA Victoria, 2008, Maintaining Water Sensitive Urban Design Elements
EPA Victoria, 2003, State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria)
EPA Victoria and Melbourne Water, 2007, Keeping Our Stormwater Clean – A Builder’s Guide
Facility for Advancing Water Biofiltration (FAWB), 2009, Stormwater Biofiltration Systems Adoption Guidelines
Melbourne Water, Melbourne Water Land Development Manual, http://ldm.melbournewater.com.au/
Melbourne Water, 2005, WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne Water
Melbourne Water, 2010, Constructed Wetland Guidelines
Melbourne Water, 2010, MUSIC Guidelines

5. Acknowledgements
Parsons Brinckerhoff would particularly like to thank the following people for their
valuable contributions to these guidelines:
Melbourne Water – Sarah Eggleton and Michael Godfrey
Bass Coast Shire Council – Cohen Vandervelde
Baw Baw Shire Council – Erin Marslen, Tong Ung and Tom Lacy
Cardinia Shire Council – Ken White and Ranjith Agalawattage
City of Casey – David Richardson
City of Greater Dandenong – Martin Wong and Darren Wilson
Maroondah City Council – Adrian Smith
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council – Jessica Wingad and Natalie Peric
South Gippsland Shire Council – Geoff Coulter
Yarra Ranges Shire Council – Vjeko Matic

Appendix A
WSUD Treatment Function, Applicability and Maintenance Considerations
The functionality, applicability and maintenance requirements of each WSUD treatment type should be carefully
considered when preparing and approving designs. The following tables outline the functionality, applicability and
maintenance considerations for various WSUD treatment systems. Indicative costs for the different treatment systems
have also been included. These are intended to be a comparative guide only. These tables are intended to be used in
conjunction with the WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater Manual (Melbourne Water, 2005).

Table A-1: Summary of treatment function, applicability and cost:
Adapted from: Victorian Stormwater Committee (1999); Wong (2006); EPA (2008)
 High applicability
Bioretention Vegetated Ponds and
 Medium applicability Bioretention basins swales/ Sedimentation Constructed shallow Rainwater
 Low applicability swales /raingardens buffer strips Sand filters basins wetlands lakes tanks
FUNCTION:
Water quality treatment        
Flow attenuation        
Stormwater conveyance        
Particle size removal
Coarse-Medium particles
5000 μm-125 μm
Fine particulates
125 μm-10 μm
Very fine/Colloidal
particulates 10 μm-0.45 μm
Dissolved particles
<0.45 μm
Additional function Landscape Aesthetic Landscape value Habitat, Habitat, Stormwater

value appeal visual & visual & re-use
Habitat recreation recreation
values amenity amenity
APPLICABILITY: Median strip/ Streets Median strip/ Streets/many Pre-treatment Parks/vacant Aesthetic/ On-property
verge verge/parks to wetland land post wetland
Area requirement Larger areas Limited space Larger areas Limited space Large areas Large areas Large areas Limited
(with limited (with limited space
public access) public access)
Slope considerations Gentle slopes Flat land. Gentle slopes Suitable for Flat land Flat land Suitable for Suitable on
and approach to site (< 5%). Where land is (< 5%). steeper steep land most sites
constraints Where slopes sloped Where slopes
exceed 5%, terraces can slopes exceed
flow be used. 5%, flow
spreaders or spreaders or
check dams check dams
may be may
required. be required.
Level of flow control Conveyance Discharge Conveyance Discharge Discharge Discharge Discharge Source
INDICATIVE COSTS:
Installation costs Moderate Moderate Low Low/ High High High Low
Moderate
Maintenance costs Moderate Moderate Moderate/ Moderate Moderate/High Moderate Moderate Low
High
Indicative costs: Indicative costs for comparison purposes only
Installation costs: Based on the treatment’s total installed cost per hectare of catchment. Broad approximations are as follows:
• High: Greater than $1500 per hectare of catchment;
• Moderate: Between $500 and $1500 per hectare of catchment; and
• Low: Less than $500 per hectare of catchment
Maintenance costs: Based on the cost per hectare per annum for each treatment type. Broad estimates are as follows:
• High: Greater than $250 per hectare of catchment per annum;
• Moderate: Between $100 and $250 per hectare of catchment per annum; and
• Low: Less than $100 per hectare of catchment per annum.

Table A-2: Indicative ongoing maintenance considerations:
Adapted from: Melbourne Water 2005, WSUD Engineering Procedures; EPA 2008, Maintaining WSUD Elements
Bioretention Vegetated Ponds and

Bioretention basins swales/ Sedimentation Constructed shallow Rainwater
swales /raingardens buffer strips Sand filters basins wetlands lakes tanks
Debris removal On-going/ On-going/ On-going/ On-going/ On-going/ On-going/ On-going/
as required as required as required as required as required as required as required
Check inlet erosion Routine Routine Routine After significant After After
protection inspections inspections inspections rainfall events significant significant
following following following immediately rainfall events rainfall events
significant significant significant following immediately immediately
storm events* storm events* storm events* installation. following following
installation. installation.
Removal of accumulated Monitor & Monitor & On-going/ After When basin is As required As required
sediments remove remove as required* significant more than half during first during first
accumulation accumulation rainfall events full of two years if two years if
near near inlet immediately accumulated poor site poor site
bioretention particularly following sediment erosion erosion
inlet during installation. (typically every 5 management management
particularly construction 6 monthly years). during during
during activities. after this*. construction, construction,
construction Monitor long but but
activities. term for filter sedimentation sedimentation
media basin should basin should
effectiveness. prevent. prevent.
Vegetation maintenance Intensive Intensive Intensive Intensive Suitable for
– Removal of noxious plants during plant during plant during plant during plant steep land.
– Replacement of dead plants establishment establishment establishment establishment
– Fertilising plants (2 years) then (2 years) then (2 years) then (2 years) then
as needed. as needed. as needed. as needed.
Can be Can be Can be Can be
coordinated coordinated coordinated coordinated
with other with other with other with other
garden garden garden garden
maintenance maintenance maintenance maintenance
carried out by carried out by carried out by carried out by
Council. Council. Council. Council.
Inspection of sedimentation Every year Every year Every 3-6
chamber check filter check months check
and filter/sand media media filter media sed chamber
composition/ composition/ & sand
infiltration infiltration surface.
rate. rate.
Maintenance of artificial Specific to
turnover system design
(if installed)
Roof/gutter maintenance 6 months
First flush device 3-6 months
Inlet/overflow screens 6 months
Sludge accumulation 2-3 years
Pump system As required

* Note that the frequency of many of these activities will depend on the nature of the catchment, ie. more often during construction phase.

Appendix B
WSUD Treatment Measures – Primary treatment WSUD measures such as litter and
gross pollutant traps have not been included here, as
Design and Maintenance there are numerous manufactured devices and technical
Considerations design manuals available. Ponds and lakes are included,
because they are considered to provide a stormwater
management function when installed as part of a
WSUD Treatment Measures
treatment train, although they are not considered as a
This section provides information on some of the design stand-alone WSUD treatment measure.
and maintenance considerations. However, this section in
no way replaces the existing WSUD Engineering The hydraulic conductivity of filter media is critical to
Procedures: Stormwater Manual (Melbourne Water, 2005) the effectiveness of bioretention basins and rain gardens.
and other documents referred to in the respective Note that in the first year compaction and silting can
result in reduced hydraulic conductivity of the filter
sections, which provide detailed design and maintenance
media. Research suggests that it can be reduced by up to
guidance for WSUD treatment measures.
half in the first year (FAWB, 2009). It is recommended
This section provides a summary of key WSUD treatment that the size or ponding depth of rain gardens and
measures that are currently used for best practice urban bioretention basins should be maximised to compensate
stormwater management around Melbourne and for this variability by sizing the system with an ultimate
surrounding Shire Councils. A combination of measures is hydraulic conductivity of 50% of the prescribed hydraulic
often used as a ‘treatment train’, to effectively manage conductivity. Where this is not possible, filter media
stormwater and achieve desired pollutant reductions. should be used with a higher hydraulic conductivity
Table A-1 provides a guide to the function, applicability (approximately twice) than that used for modelling the
and cost of each of the treatment types. system in MUSIC. Refer to FAWB (2009) for more detail.
It is recommended that developers refer to the Addendum
for a list of Council-approved treatment types before
proceeding.

Bioretention Swales Design and Maintenance Considerations
• Bioretention swales are sensitive to materials that
may clog the filter medium and may suffer vegetation
damage through traffic and washdown wastes which
should be controlled. Protection during construction
phase is critical.
• Filter media should be hydraulic conductivity tested
before construction and before handover.
Refer to the WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater
Guide (2005) for the filter media specification.
• Typically bioretention swales are best suited to slopes
of 1 to 4% or where velocities during major flood
events do not exceed 2 m/s. Where excessive grades
are identified as a constraint, check dams may be
Bioretention swales (or bioretention trenches) are required to reduce flow velocities.
bioretention systems that are located within the base
of a swale. They provide both a conveyance function for • Water ponding at entry points to the swale should
stormwater and treatment through filtration, extended not occur for longer than 1 hour after the cessation of
detention and some biological uptake. The swale rainfall as prescribed in Clause 56.07-4 of the VPP.
facilitates the removal of coarse to medium sized • The gradient of swale batter slopes are dependant on
sediments, while the bioretention system is particularly Council regulations and will relate to traffic access and
efficient at removing nitrogen and other soluble or fine driveway crossings. For maintenance requirements,
particulate contaminants. grassed swales requiring mowing must not have side
Bioretention swales are often well suited to highly slopes exceeding 1 in 4.
urbanised areas such as commercial precincts or car parks • A velocity-depth check should be undertaken to
as they can be easily incorporated into landscaped areas ensure public safety (refer to Section 5.3.4.1 of the
without impacting on development opportunities. WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater Manual
They can provide attractive landscape features in an (Melbourne Water, 2005)).
urban development and are commonly located in the
• Consultation with landscape architects is
median strip of divided roads. Swales can often be used
recommended when specifying vegetation to ensure
as an alternative to a conventional pipe system, resulting
the treatment of the system compliments the
in construction cost reductions.
landscape of the area. Refer to the plant species list in
The design of bioretention swales should be in accordance the Addendum or the WSUD Engineering Procedures:
with guidelines set out in Chapter 5 (Section 5.3) of the Stormwater Manual (Melbourne Water, 2005) for
WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater Manual suitable vegetation options.
(Melbourne Water, 2005).

Appendix B
Bioretention basins/Rain gardens Design and Maintenance Considerations

• Bioretention basins are sensitive to materials that may
clog the filter medium and may suffer vegetation
damage through traffic and washdown wastes which
should be controlled. Protection during construction
phase is critical.
• Filter media should be hydraulic conductivity tested
before construction and before handover. Refer to the
WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater Manual
(Melbourne Water, 2005) for the filter media
specification.
• The width of water ponding at entry points to the basin
should not occur for longer than 1 hour after the
Bioretention basins and rain gardens treat stormwater by cessation of rainfall as prescribed in Clause 56.07-4 of
passing runoff through prescribed filter media (commonly the VPP.
vegetated) that provides treatment through fine filtration, • Soil testing to determine the expected hydraulic
extended detention and some biological uptake. conductivity should be undertaken where bioretention
A wide range of vegetation can be used within a systems are installed near to significant structures, to
bioretention basin allowing them to be readily integrated minimise any leakage from the system. If surrounding
into the landscape of an area. soils are sensitive to seepage from the bioretention
basin, such as in sandy soils, or where the filter is
Bioretention basins are suitable at a range of scales and located near a permanent structure, an impervious
shapes and, hence, provide a flexible treatment measure. liner, such as geofabrics, can be used to contain all
They can be positioned at regular intervals along streets water within the basin. Lining measures should not
to treat runoff prior to entry into an underground create subsurface barriers to shallow groundwater
drainage system or be located at drainage system outfalls movements.
to provide treatment for larger areas. Bioretention
systems are often more effective in removing Nitrogen • Consultation with landscape architects when selecting
than conventional wetlands and can therefore be a vegetation is recommended. Refer to the plant species
practical alternative where land for a treatment system list in the Addendum or the WSUD Engineering
is limited. Procedures: Stormwater Manual (Melbourne Water,
2005) for suitable vegetation options.
Design considerations for bioretention basins are detailed
in Section 6.3 of the WSUD Engineering Procedures: • The use of biofilters should be avoided where there is a
Stormwater Manual (Melbourne Water, 2005) and should permanent base flow, which prevents the filter medium
be consulted. from drying out in between storm events.

Vegetated swales/Buffer strips Design and Maintenance Considerations
• The longitudinal slope of a swale is the most important
consideration. Swales are most efficient with slopes of
1% to 4%. Lower than this, swales can become
waterlogged and/or have stagnant pooling, while
steeper slopes may have high flow velocities (with
potential erosion and vegetation damage risks).
Check banks (small porous rock walls) may be
constructed to distribute flows evenly across the swale
if they are identified as the most suitable treatment
option in such areas.
• Where swales are publicly accessible, flow depths and
velocities must be acceptable from a public risk
perspective. Refer to Section 8.3.5.1 of the WSUD
Engineering Procedures: Stormwater Manual
Vegetated swales convey stormwater and provide (Melbourne Water, 2005) for standards.
removal of coarse and medium sediment.
• Traffic and deliveries should be kept off swales as they
They are commonly used in conjunction with areas of may damage vegetation and create preferential flow
vegetation through which runoff passes, known as buffer paths that do not offer filtration. Appropriate mitigation
strips. Vegetated swales are similar to bioretention swales, measures should be implemented.
but are less effective in removing nitrogen from the
stormwater, as they do not feature the filtering • Swale side slopes depend on Council regulations, traffic
component and convey water on the surface only. access and the provision of crossings. Typically 1 in 9
Vegetated swales can provide an aesthetically pleasing side slopes are suitable. For maintenance requirements,
landscape feature and are relatively inexpensive to grassed swales requiring mowing must not have side
construct and maintain. They can be used median strips, slopes exceeding 1 in 4.
verges, car park runoff areas, parks and recreation areas.
The design specifications for swales and buffer strips can
be found in Chapter 8 (Section 8.3) of the WSUD
Engineering Procedures: Stormwater Manual (Melbourne
Water, 2005). Design techniques to ensure swales are
sized appropriately should be consulted (refer to Appendix
C of BPEMG (Victorian Stormwater Committee, 1999)).

Appendix B
Sand Filters Sedimentation Basins
Sand filters comprise a bed of sand or other media Sedimentation basins serve to remove coarse to medium-
through which runoff is passed. Gross pollutants and sized sediments (typical target size of particles is 125 µm
coarse to medium sized sediment (125 µm or larger) are or larger) and are often the first element in a stormwater
retained in a sedimentation chamber before stormwater treatment train. They facilitate the settling of particles
percolates through the filtration media. The filtrate is then through temporary detention and the reduction of flow
collected by an underdrain system. These systems lack velocities. A sedimentation basin should always be
surface vegetation either because they are installed constructed upstream of a wetland.
underground or because the filter media does not retain
Determining the critical size of a sedimentation basin is
sufficient moisture to support plant growth.
crucial to:
Sand filters can be retrofitted and may therefore also be a
• Prevent smothering of downstream treatment
suitable WSUD measure in existing developments.
measures (if the basin is too small)
The design of sand filters should follow Section 7.3 of the
• Avoid the accumulation of smaller particles of higher
WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater Manual
contaminant concentrations (in the case of over-sized
(Melbourne Water, 2005). Construction advice can be
basins), and
obtained from Section 7.4.2 and maintenance
requirements from Section 7.5 of this document. • Prevent the need for frequent desilting.
Details on verifying the required basin size can be found in
Design and Maintenance Considerations
the WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater Manual
• Sand filters are particularly useful in areas of limited (Melbourne Water, 2005) sections 4.2 and 4.3.2.
space where treatment is best achieved underground.
They are suited to upstream areas where constructed Key design parameters include a consideration of design
wetlands are unfeasible. flows, sediment storage volume, target sediment size,
hydraulic structures and vegetation specification. For
• Regular maintenance is required to ensure the sand details refer to Section 4.3 of the WSUD Engineering
filter media does not become clogged with Procedures: Stormwater Manual (Melbourne Water,
accumulated sediments. 2005).
• Water lost from the sand filter to the surrounding soil
may be an issue if they are installed near to significant
structures. The surrounding soils should be tested • The design operation discharge for the basin should be
(particularly to determine their hydraulic conductivity). a minimum of 1 year ARI peak discharge.
An impervious liner can be used to contain all water in • A bypass structure should provide for flow bypass of
the form of a flexible membrane or concrete casing. downstream macrophyte zones and wetlands for
• Large sand filters lacking vegetation may be events up to 100-year ARI event. Weirs are often a
unattractive. suitable method of controlling surface flows so that
large events can bypass a treatment, while allowing the
• Unsuitable for highly disturbed catchments or those
required flow to pass through the system.
with high sediment yields (unless pre-treatment is
proposed to protect the system). • Sedimentation basins are often large structures
requiring substantial area and are important assets

when constructed upstream of wetlands. When Constructed Wetlands
available space is constrained, the sediment basin size
should not be compromised if forming part of a
treatment train. If the site constrains the total size of
the treatment system, the macrophyte zone in the
wetland should be reduced accordingly.
• The sedimentation basin should be designed to remove
95% of the particles less than 125 µm in a 1 in 1 year
storm event.
• Approach batter slopes should be no steeper than 1:5
Vertical to Horizontal (V:H). All edges should have
safety benches of at least 1.5m to 3.0m wide from the
edge of the normal top water level.
• Safety benches should have a maximum grade of 1:8
Constructed wetland systems are shallow, extensively
(V:H) for the first 1.5m – 3.0m before changing to a 1:5
vegetated water bodies that remove pollutants through
(V:H) grade for at least the next 0.5m. Beyond this the
enhanced sedimentation, fine filtration and pollutant
grade may be to a maximum of 1:3 (V:H).
uptake processes. Stormwater runoff is passed slowly
It is recommended that an independent safety audit be through the vegetated areas, which filter sediments and
conducted for each design. pollutants, and biofilms establish on the plants, which
absorb nutrients and other contaminants.Wetlands are well
• Refer to the Constructed Wetland Systems: Design suited to treat large volumes of stormwater runoff and
Guidelines for Developers (Melbourne Water, 2005) for have the advantage of improving local amenity and
guidance on hard stand areas, which should be provided providing habitat diversity. Key design issues to consider
adjacent to the inlet zone to allow for the maintenance include: verifying the size and configuration for treatment;
and cleanout of this zone. The hard stand should be at determining design flows; designing the inlet zone (see
least 3m wide and designed to be capable of supporting sedimentation basins); layout of the macrophyte zone;
a 20 tonne excavation plant. Multiple areas should be hydraulic structures; selecting plant species and planting
considered where the pond is greater than 7m wide. densities and providing maintenance.
Adequate space for dewatering must be provided.
Refer to the following documents for detail:
Access ramps and tracks into ponds cells and to all hard
stand areas are required and must be capable of • Section 9.3 of the WSUD Engineering Procedures:
supporting a 20 tonne excavation plant for Stormwater Manual (Melbourne Water, 2005);
maintenance. • Section 7.9.2 and Appendix G of the Urban Stormwater:
Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines
• Where sedimentation basins double as a landscape
(Victorian Stormwater Committee, 1999); and
element, a weir is recommended as an appropriate
discharge control structure. Refer to Section 4.3.4.2 of • Constructed Wetland Systems: Design Guidelines for
the WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater Manual Developers (Melbourne Water, 2005).
(Melbourne Water, 2005). Design and Maintenance Considerations
• Accumulated sediment requires regular removal to • The constructed wetland should treat at least 90% of
prevent scouring during storm events. A desirable Mean Annual Runoff (MAR) through the use of a stored
frequency of basin desilting for permanent facilities is event volume above the normal standing water level of
once every five years (or when sediment accumulates the wetland.
to half the basin depth). • A high flow bypass should be capable of taking flows in
• Install a rock layer in base above clay liner to indicate excess of design flows (typically a 1 in 1 year event).
limit of sediment (this reduces the risk of damage to • The wetland design must meet safety requirements and
the clay liner during future maintenance activities). implement reasonable safety measures. This includes
• For sediment basins less than 14m wide, access is to be fencing, safety batters, signage and benching. Refer to
provided along both edges for maintenance vehicle. Section 5 of the Constructed Wetland Systems: Design
Guidelines for Developers (Melbourne Water, 2005) for
• For sediment basins greater than 14m wide, drawdown detail. Health and Safety considerations for maintenance
of the basin is required with vehicular access available staff should also be addressed. It is recommended that an
into the base of the facility. independent safety audit be conducted for each design.
• Approach batter slopes should be no steeper than 1:5 Ponds and shallow lake systems
Vertical to Horizontal (V:H). All edges should have safety
benches of at least 1.5m to 3.0m wide from the edge of
the normal top water level.
• Safety benches should have a maximum grade of 1:8
(V:H) for the first 1.5m – 3.0m before changing to a 1:5
(V:H) grade for at least the next 0.5m. Beyond this, may
be up to a maximum of 1:3 (V:H). The safety bench
should be densely planted with emergent macrophytes
such that casual entry will be difficult.
• Refer to the Constructed Wetland Systems: Design
Guidelines for Developers (Melbourne Water, 2005) for
guidance on hard stand areas, which should be provided
adjacent to the inlet zone to allow for the maintenance
and cleanout of this zone.
• The following measures may be taken to reduce the It is not recommended that shallow lakes and ponds be
prevalence of mosquitoes: Provide access for mosquito used as a stand alone measure to meet BPEMG targets.
predators such as fish and predatory insects; Maintain They may however function as a useful element when
natural water level fluctuations to disturb the breeding implemented as part of a treatment train.
cycle of some mosquito species; and provide sufficient
gross pollutant control at the inlet such that litter does Ponds promote particle sedimentation, adsorption of
not accumulate and provide breeding habitat. nutrients by phytoplankton and UV disinfection. They can
• Ensure that the required detention time is achieved by also double as storage facilities for reuse schemes,
using outlet risers to control flows. recreation features and wildlife habitats. Often wetlands
will flow into ponds although they can exist independently
• The riser outlet pipe should be sized to act as an
emergency overflow equivalent to the one year ARI peak in areas where wetlands are unfeasible for example in steep
discharge. terrain.
• A minimum of a 0.3m freeboard for the embankment is Details of design procedures for ponds and lakes can be
required. found in Section 10.3 of the WSUD Engineering
• Where possible, wetlands should be constructed in the Procedures: Stormwater Manual (Melbourne Water, 2005).
base of retarding basins to reduce land requirement. Refer also to the Constructed Shallow Lake Systems:
Design Guidelines for Developers (Melbourne Water, 2005),
• When considering macrophyte zone layout, it is
important to optimise hydraulicefficiency (i.e. reduce dead which should be read in conjunction with the Constructed
zones and short circuiting of water). The optimal hydraulic Wetland Guidelines (Melbourne Water, 2010) for guidance
efficiency value for constructed wetlands should be not on hard stand areas. These documents should be referred
less than 0.5 and greater than 0.7 where possible. Refer to to for detailed design guidance.
Section 9.3.3 and Figure 9.6 in the WSUD Engineering
Procedures: Stormwater Manual (Melbourne Water, Design and Maintenance Considerations
2005). • Algal blooms are the main risk with ponds and lake
• The wetland should be divided into four macrophyte systems and reducing the risk of blooms is an integral
zones, an open water zone and a littoral zone. The component of design (refer to Section 10.3.2 of the
percentage allocation of each zone is outlined in Table 9.2, WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater Manual
Section 9.6.3 of the WSUD Engineering Procedures: (Melbourne Water, 2005)).
Stormwater Manual (Melbourne Water, 2005) and should
be followed. Refer to the plant species list in the • When considering macrophyte zone layout, it is
Addendum or the WSUD Engineering Procedures: important to optimise hydraulic efficiency (i.e. reduce
Stormwater Manual (Melbourne Water, 2005) for suitable dead zones and short circuiting of water). The optimal
vegetation options. hydraulic efficiency value for ponds and lakes should be
• Wetlands require large areas of land for construction and not less than 0.5 and greater than 0.7 where possible.
are unsuited to steeply sloping land. Refer to Section 10.3.2 and Figure 10.7 in the WSUD
Engineering Procedures: Stormwater Manual (Melbourne
• A geotechnical investigation is required prior to design to
determine soil profiles and infiltration rates. Water, 2005).
Hydrogeological investigations may also be required in
areas where there is a likelihood of groundwater discharge
or high seasonal water tables.
• Gentle slopes, safety benching, handrails and Rainwater tanks
vegetation planting are methods that may be employed
to account for public safety. It is recommended that an
independent safety audit of each design be conducted.
• Fringing vegetation is important for bank stability and
aesthetics but contributes little to improving
stormwater quality. Refer to the plant species list in the
Addendum or the WSUD Engineering Procedures:
Stormwater Manual (Melbourne Water, 2005) for
suitable vegetation options.
• Ponds are well suited to steep, confined valleys where
storage volumes can be maximised.
Rainwater tanks collect roof runoff for subsequent reuse,

conserving potable mains supplies and reducing
stormwater runoff volumes and pollutants from reaching
downstream waterways.
Rainwater tanks are applicable to areas of high roof area
to occupancy ratio, while they are less applicable in
regions of low roof area to occupancy ratio, such as
medium and high density residential dwellings.
The use of rainwater tanks should follow considerations
stated in Section 12.2 and design procedures in Section
12.4 of the WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater
Manual (Melbourne Water, 2005).

• Rainwater tanks should be installed in accordance with
the Plumbing and Drainage Standards (AS/NZS 3500
2003).
• Rainwater tanks may not provide the optimal strategy
for stormwater runoff from a sustainability perspective
compared to a centralised stormwater harvesting
scheme. This issue should be investigated thoroughly
during the concept design stage of a project.
• Continual water balance assessments using MUSIC
should be performed to determine how much runoff
rain tanks are removing from the catchment in terms of
runoff volumes and associated pollutant loads.
• Rainwater tanks should be sized using the appropriate
reference curves for the region (refer to Section 12.4.2
of the WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater
Manual (Melbourne Water, 2005)).

Melbourne Water
990 La Trobe Street, Docklands, Vic, 3008
PO Box 4342 Melbourne Victoria 3001
Telephone 131 722 Facsimile 03 9679 7099
melbournewater.com.au
© Copyright April 2013
Melbourne Water Corporation. All rights reserved.
No part of the document may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, photocopied or otherwise dealt with without
prior written permission of Melbourne Water Corporation.
Disclaimer: This publication may be of assistance to you but
Melbourne Water and its employees do not guarantee that the
publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate
for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability
for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from
you relying on any information in this publication.
Designed by Equest Design

Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines: South Eastern Councils

Uploaded by

Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines: South Eastern Councils

Uploaded by

Water Sensitive

Urban Design Guidelines

2. Planning and design 10

3. Construction and maintenance 20

2 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

South Eastern Councils 3

4 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines Addendum

South Eastern Councils 5

South Eastern Councils 7

Clause 19 – Infrastructure c. To minimise increases in stormwater run-off and

8 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

South Eastern Councils 9

10 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

Step 2 Site Assessment • Site layout and topography

Step 3 Concept Design • Design considerations

Yes Step 4 Hold Point 1

Design not approved. Design approved with

Step 5 Detailed Design • Detailed site assessment

Amend design Step 6 Hold Point 2

Design documentation for construction phase.

South Eastern Councils 11

12 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

South Eastern Councils 13

Site constraints Precinct Structure Plans

14 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

South Eastern Councils 15

2.3 Step 3: Concept design 2.3.1 Modelling WSUD performance

16 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

2.5 Step 5: Detailed Design 2010), Stormwater Biofiltration Systems Adoption

18 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

South Eastern Councils 19

20 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

Step 2 Design documentation • Detailed design drawings

Step 3 Pre-construction meeting • Handover design documentation

Step 4 Construction • Asset protection

Repair asset Hold Point 2 Construction inspection

Step 7 Defect liability period

Repair asset Hold Point 3 Asset Handover

Step 8 Maintenance handover • Ownership meeting

Step 9 On-going maintenance • Monitoring

South Eastern Councils 21

22 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

Construction of WSUD assets is to be undertaken in Wetlands Construction Inspection Checklist – During

3.4.1 Asset protection In some cases a multi-phase approach may be required

24 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

South Eastern Councils 25

3.5 Step 5: Operation and 3.5.2 Maintenance plans

26 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

South Eastern Councils 27

28 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

South Eastern Councils 29

Clearwater education programs Through funding contributions, expertise and guidance,

• guided technical tours • Develop strategies and targets which enhance a

Living Rivers program

30 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

South Eastern Councils 31

32 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

South Eastern Councils 33

Additional function Landscape Aesthetic Landscape value Habitat, Habitat, Stormwater

34 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

Bioretention Vegetated Ponds and 

First flush device 3-6 months

Inlet/overflow screens 6 months

Sludge accumulation 2-3 years

Pump system As required

South Eastern Councils 35

36 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

South Eastern Councils 37

Bioretention basins/Rain gardens Design and Maintenance Considerations

38 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

South Eastern Councils 39

Sand Filters Sedimentation Basins

40 Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines

Rainwater tanks collect roof runoff for subsequent reuse,

Design and Maintenance Considerations

South Eastern Councils 43

Clause 19 – Infrastructure c. To minimise increases in stormwater run-off and

• guided technical tours • Develop strategies and targets which enhance a

Bioretention Vegetated Ponds and