If not managed appropriately using Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD), urban development can lead to significant changes in a catchment’s natural hydrological cycle and water quality.
The NSW Department of Environment and Heritage is the Government agency responsible for developing environmental objectives for water quality and river flows, while providing a framework for councils to develop stormwater management objectives.
Community perception of receiving water health (eg ocean, estuaries, lakes, rivers, wetlands and streams etc.) was a significant driver for stormwater management reform in NSW during the 1990′s. Within this new community driven paradigm emerged Water Sensitive Urban Design, a framework that promotes sustainable development that integrates the built, natural and social environments while managing the urban water
cycle in an integrated manner.
To learn how you can use community values regarding receiving water health as a driver for the uptake of WSUD in your local government area, refer to the Community Planning page of this website.
Refer also to the following resources that can assist the development of best practice receiving water health policy, practices and initiatives.
The Botany Bay Coast Catchments Initiative
Read More »The NSW Diffuse Source Water Pollution Strategy provides a framework for coordinating efforts in reducing diffuse source water pollution.
NSW Diffuse Source Water Pollution Strategy
Read More »The NSW Diffuse Source Water Pollution Strategy provides a framework for coordinating efforts in reducing diffuse source water pollution.
The Sydney Coastal Councils Group Water Quality Monitoring Toolkit
Read More »The NSW Diffuse Source Water Pollution Strategy provides a framework for coordinating efforts in reducing diffuse source water pollution.
Water Quality Research Australia’s website lists those Australian Water Quality Guidelinedocuments that form components of the National Water Quality Management Strategy NWQMS – the aim of which is to achieve sustainable use of the nation’s water resources by protecting and enhancing their quality while maintaining economic and social development. Guidelines listed include: Australian Drinking Water Guidelines; Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling (4 parts); Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water; Rainwater Quality; Bottled Water Standards.
Read More »The NSW Diffuse Source Water Pollution Strategy provides a framework for coordinating efforts in reducing diffuse source water pollution.
The Botany Bay Coastal Catchments Initiativeseeks to achieve long-term protection of the surface waters of Botany Bay, its estuaries and its catchment. The NSW Diffuse Source Water Pollution Strategyprovides a framework for coordinating efforts in reducing diffuse source water pollution. The Sydney Coastal Councils’ Group’s (SCCG) Water Quality Monitoring Program Toolkit(launched in January 2010) promotes sustainable environmental management through an improved understanding of monitoring and good decision-making. The site is a user oriented resource for the design and implementation of environmental monitoring programs. Water Quality Research Australia’s website lists those Australian Water Quality Guidelinedocuments that form components of the National Water Quality Management Strategy NWQMS – the aim of which is to achieve sustainable use of the nation’s water resources by protecting and enhancing their quality while maintaining economic and social development. Guidelines listed include: - Australian Drinking Water Guidelines;
- Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling (4 parts);
- Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water;
- Rainwater Quality;
- Bottled Water Standards.