1. Water Sensitive Western Sydney? Identifying the Constraints & Opportunities Peter Morison Stormwater Management Engineer Blacktown City Council 9839 6259 peter.morison@blacktown.nsw.gov.au

2. Overview n Context n Constraints –Social –Technical –Environmental n Opportunities n Concluding Remarks

3. Context n Pop. 1.7 M n Pop. >2M, 10-20 yrs n 48% <30 yrs n 24.1% migrants n <10% Cumberland Plain vegetation n characterised by Suburban development since WWII

4. Social Constraints n Acceptance of change –Stormwater Managers –Developers & agents –Community n Potential Fears and Unknowns: –Costs WS vs. conventional? –Failure –Misconceptions n Costs drive acceptance

5. Technical Constraints n ‘Cook book’ thinking vs. innovation n Lack of demonstration sites n Skills and competencies n A myriad of stormwater managers –Within organisations –Without organisations

6. Environmental Constraints n Urban Salinity –throughflow –localised saturation n waterlogged sites n basins/wetlands –implications for water use

7. Environmental Constraints (2) n Infiltration is ‘out’ for clay soils –Stormwater Infiltration Project n Baseflow with reuse n Developed precincts

8. Social Opportunities n What You See Is What You Get Improved aesthetics/amenity Increased acceptance/motivation n Education and Consultation –Capacity Building –Community involvement in Decision- making n Reduced municipal maintenance

9. Technical Opportunities n Problem Prevention (integration of structural/non-structural source controls) –NOT Crisis Management (traditional end-of-pipe approach) n Innovative planning and implementation

10. Environmental Opportunities n Hydrology –reduced runoff frequency and magnitude –more ‘natural’ n Reduced flood risks n Reduced in-stream erosion & sedimentation n Improved stream health

11. Traditional vs. WSUD Approach

12. Conclusion n Western Sydney should and can have WSUD n Water Sensitive Western Sydney will: –take time –need change –rely on honesty & integrity n BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY: –Everybody and Everything benefits!!