WSUD in Sydney e-newsletters

LINKS TO WSUD RELATED SITES

Stormwater Industry Association's Stormwaternet

Learn from experience with the Stormwater Industry Association's Stormwaternet, an email chat group that was launched in 2008 so Council Officers, Consultants and Manufacturers could share and resolve their concerns, questions and problems.

This is a fantastic resource that can be used by everyone associated with the Stormwater Inudstry to ask questions and seek advice while building your own network with members of the stormwater community.

Learn from other's experience and share your own by joining via http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=stormwaternet To learn more about the Stormwater Industry Association refer http://www.stormwater.asn.au/nsw or contact Bronwyn Davies, Administrative Officer on 1300 761 122.

Water Directorate - Technical Issues Discussion Forum

Regional NSW Councils and particularly Council Water Utilities staff may wish to join this group that fulfills more broadly the needs, issues and problems facing water utilities in NSW. If you would like to subscribe to the list, please contact the Water Directorate on 02 8267 3010.

SCCG Water Quality Monitoring Program Toolkit

The Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG) has engaged Dr Ian Armstrong to improve the usability and accessibility of the Water Quality Monitoring Program Toolkit originally launched as a CD-Rom in 2000. Web based, the final version will be launched mid year and aims to assist councils (and other stakeholders) undertaking water quality monitoring projects. SCCG is seeking comments on their draft version situated at http://edit.dev.environmentalmonitoring.keysoft.com.au/ and regarding the following to ensure the toolkit is in line with council needs. Please provide comments via geoff@sydneycoastalcouncils.com.au by end of April 2009 and in terms of:

• Usability;
• Content;
• Gaps;
• Navigation issues;
• Practicality;
• Is it applicable for multiple monitoring purposes;
• Does it achieve aims: “A user oriented resource for the design and implementation of environmental monitoring programs”.

From archived pages of Christchurch City Council’s (New Zealand) website, is some great information about the concept of ‘Living Streets’ – an ideal where streets should be designed or redesigned with the priority on living and community interaction, where residents, businesses, pedestrians and cyclists at the very least have equality with cars. Living Streets is a perfect opportunity to embed sustainable practices in your council operations using water sensitive urban design, local provenance species and reducing the urban heat island effect while preparing for climate change through the adoption of adaptation and mitigation practices. For more information refer http://archived.ccc.govt.nz/programmes/livingstreets/

Links to Funding Opportunities - Grants & Rebates

Following are a series of water related grants and rebates that councils may wish to apply for.

Contact the WSUD in Sydney Program in the early days of developing your project scope to learn opportunities for embedding multiple objectives, seeking project partners and/or for comment. The earlier you provide the information, the more time I have to assist and where possible. For example, Section 6 - Research Opportunities and Linkages of my monthly e-newsletter provides an opportunity to promote your project and seek partners amongst about 1,000 subscribers in NSW and beyond.

Click Here for more ideas on how to get the most from your grant funding.

Australian Government Programs are as follows:

Rebate Schemes provide up to $500 for the purchase and installation of a new rainwater tank (internal use) or permanent Greywater Treatment. A $400 rebate is available for a 2,000-3,999 litre tank and a $500 rebate is available for a tank greater than 4,000 litres. Refer http://www.environment.gov.au/water/ for more information.

National Urban Water and Desalination Plan includes grant funding of up to 10% of the eligible capital costs (capped at $100 million per project) will be available to the successful proponents. Applications close 30 June 2009. Refer http://www.environment.gov.au/water/programs/urban/index.html

National Urban Water and Desalination Plan - Stormwater Harvesting & Reuse Projects provides a minimum of $200 million for stormwater harvesting and reuse projects. Project funding is available for 50% of capital costs - minimum project size $4 million ($2 million funding) and capped at $20 million (GST exclusive) per project. Projects must be completed by 30 June 2013. Round 1 closes 30 June 2009 and Round 2 on 11 December 2009.

Sustainability Grants Program (2008-2009) facilitate changes in community attitudes and behaviour in support of sustainability, through education. The Program provides funding as follows, for more information refer: www.environment.gov.au/education/programs/guidelines.html

• Education, awareness raising, behavior change and capacity building activities that act as a catalyst for change in support of sustainability;
• Activities that enhance national coordination of existing education for sustainability programs, policies or institutions; and
• New and innovative approaches in areas of need in education for sustainability at the national level.

The 2008-09 program will provide support for projects in the following priority areas:

• Business and Industry - to foster adoption of the principles of sustainability in the operations of business and industry;
• Further and Higher Education - to incorporate education for sustainability in further and higher education teaching programs and curricula, campus management and associated activities; and
• Community Education – innovative educational approaches to support change towards more sustainable behavior across the community.

The Australian Government’s Re-tooling for Climate Change is a $75 million program that helps small and medium sized manufacturers reduce their environmental footprint by improving the energy and/or water efficiency of their production processes. Councils may like to promote the initiative to businesses in their LGA.

Closing dates for rounds four, five and six will be 24 August 2009, 30 November 2009 and 22 March 2010 respectively. The program provides grants of between $10,000 and $500,000, up to a maximum of half of the cost of each project. A higher assistance rate – at the level of one half the eligible expenditure will apply to all these rounds including round three. For more information refer http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/InnovationandRandD/Re-toolingforClimateChange/Pages/Re-toolingforClimateChange.aspx

Sydney Water Corporation’s programs include:

Sydney Water’s Water Saver Grant Program is available to small to medium businesses in Sydney , the Illawarra and the Blue Mountains that use between 20 kilolitres and 80 kilolitres of water a day. Funding includes up to 50% of a new water saving project whereby Sydney Water will reimburse successful applicants for half the cost of water efficiency projects valued between $4,000 and $40,000. Apply via: http://www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/InYourBusiness/BusinessWaterSaverGrant.cfm

Rainwater Tanks in Schools Rebate - extended to 30 June 2009 and offes a rebate of up to $2,500 to schools that install a rainwater tank. The rebate is available to all primary and secondary schools, public and private, connected to a Sydney Water main. The rebate helps reduce the cost of purchasing and installing a rainwater tank. Refer www.sydneywater.com.au/Ensuringthefuture/WaterSchool/rebateschools.cfm

Rainwater Tank Rebates - A rebate of up to $1,500 is available when you install a rainwater tank in an existing home. Refer www.sydneywater.com.au/savingwater/InYourGarden/RainwaterTanks
Example: Promote the Sydney Water rebate offer at local displays conducted or provided information at your councils reception desk.

Washing Machine Rebates – A $150 rebateis available when a washing machine with at least a 4.5 star water efficiency rating is purchased. Refer www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/InYourHome/WashingMachineRebate

Sydney water’s Single Flush Toilet Replacement Service will remove old single flush toilets and replace it with a choice of three different 4-starm water efficient toilets and installation. For more information, refer http://www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/InYourHome/Toilets.cfm

NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change initiatives include:

The Environmental Education Program is available by invitation only and is a t wo-stage initiative of Expressions of Interest followed by an application process. A total program of $500,000 is available in allotments of $5,000 to $100,000 to Community organisations and non-profit associations. It is also available to State and Local Government organisations (not schools). Contact the NSW Environmental Trust on 02 8837 6093.

The Eco Schools Program supports schools to develop best practice in environmental education and innovative solutions to environmental issues. 60 grants of $2,500 each (total program $150,000) are available to Schools who did not receive an Environmental Trust grant in 2008. Refer: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/schools.htm

Environmental Restoration and Rehabilitation Grants are to facilitate projects to prevent or reduce pollution, the waste stream or environmental degradation of any kind, run by community organisations and State and Local government organisations. Through these projects, we also aim to improve the capacity of communities and organisations to protect, restore and enhance the environment. Total funds being offered in 2009 are $1.5 million allocated to the Community grants program and $1.5 million to the State and Local Government grants program. Grants between $5,000 and $100,000 are available. Refer: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/restoration.htm

The Protecting our Places program is to protect land that is culturally significant to Aboriginal people and to support education projects about the environment and its importance in Aboriginal life. In 2009 Grants totalling $500,000 of between $2,000 and $35,000 are available. Workshops for the Protecting our Places program are advertised in Indigenous newspapers. For more information refer: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/pop.htm

Councils are invited to nominate projects for financial assistance (50% of project costs) under the 2009-10 NSW State Coastal and Estuary Management Programs. The main objectives of the programs are to improve coastal and estuarine health through the development and implementation of management plans. Priorities include:

• Assessing and improving the health of estuaries and contributing to meeting NSW State Plan targets relating to improving the condition of aquatic ecosystems;
• Climate change and sea-level rise impacts on the coastline and estuaries to assess risks for management;
• Habitat protection and restoration for biodiversity outcomes;
• Studies that will inform local environmental plans and development control plans, including the contribution of projected sea level rise impacts on coastal hazards.

Applications close on Wednesday 6 May 2009. For more information refer: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grantsandfunding/cempgrants.htm

Climate Change Fund Local Promotion Program offers councils up to $5000 to promote the NSW Climate Change Fund rebates to their residents encouraging householders to take advantage of the rebates for rainwater tanks, hot water systems and/or insulation. Please email Amanda Kane amanda.kane@environment.nsw.gov.au.

National Solar Schools Grants of up to $50,000 (GST exclusive) are available to install solar and other renewable power systems, solar hot water systmes, rainwater tanks and a range of energy efficiency measures. Refer http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/nationalsolarschools/index.html

Round 2 of the Public Facilities Program provides up to $40,000 for community organisations to make their facilities more water and energy efficient. For more information refer www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/ccfpfp.htmTwo streams are available as follows and are open until Thursday 30 April 2009:

• Demonstration stream – funding for projects which demonstrate how water and energy savings work in practice in public or educational facilities which are open to, and frequently accessed, by the public
• Community Savers stream – funding of up to $40,000 for not-for-profit community organisations to undertake simple, low-cost water and energy saving upgrades I the facilities they use.

Urban Sustainability Seed Funding for Sustainability Planning via the Environmental Trust will provide seed funding to help local councils develop local sustainability plans in partnership with their local community and will also allow councils to work together to develop plans that tackle common issues across local boundaries. Funding (one year duration) includes the following. For more information refer www.environment.nsw.gov.au :

• Individual councils- up to $20,000
• Alliances of councils - up to $50,000.

Urban Waterways Initiative - provides funding for projects addressing sustainability challenges within Urban Waterways. Priority Catchments include Cooks, Georges, Hawkesbury Nepean, Central Coast / Lower Hunter and Sydney Harbour Catchments. The Trust will consider the following. For more information refer: www.environment.nsw.gov.au :

• Individual councils - between $100,000 and $250,000 in total;
• Alliances of councils - between $100,000 and $2 million in total.

Climate Change Fund’s Local Promotion Program - The Local Promotion Program offers councils up to $5000 to promote the NSW Climate Change Fund rebates to their residents encouraging householders to take advantage of the rebates for rainwater tanks, hot water systems and/or insulation. Refer: www.environment.nsw.gov.au

National Solar Schools Grants provides grants of up to $50,000 (GST exclusive) to install solar and other renewable power systems, solar hot water systems, rainwater tanks and a range of energy efficiency measures. Refer www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/nationalsolarschools/index.htm

The Residential Rebate Program provides ongoing funding to help householders make their homes more water and energy efficient. Hot water systems, insulation or rainwater tanks installed to comply with BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index) for new homes and major renovations are not eligible. The rebates are additional to any other rebate or incentive offer currently available to NSW residents and are as follows:

• Rainwater tanks: $1500 for rainwater tanks connected to toilets and washing machines
• Hot water systems: $1200 to switch from electric to solar, heat pump or gas hot water systems
• Insulation rebate: A maximum of $300
• Washing machine: $150 for buying a 4.5 star or higher WELS rated washing machine

For further Information refer http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/ccfund.htm or via email ccf@environment.nsw.gov.au and telephone: 1300 361 967

NSW Department of Planning’s Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program is a NSW Government initiative to improve public access to and enhance the recreational enjoyment of Sydney Harbour and its tributaries for the people of Sydney and our visitors. Each year, up to $1.35 million is distributed on a dollar-for-dollar basis for specific capital works projects such as walking tracks, cycle paths, new public waterfront parks, jetties, pontoons and boat launching facilities. Available to local councils and registered recreational organisations, for more information refer http://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/harbour/sydney_access.asp

NSW Department of Water and Energy's initiative is as follows:

The Water for Life Program’s Education projects funding package aims to support organisations across greater Sydney to deliver leading practice water education projects.Grants of up to $50,000 will be available to eligible community and local government organisations under this Funding Package. Applications should align with the objectives of the Metropolitan Water Plan or the Water Education Plan for greater Sydney 2008-2012 and address one or more of the following. For more information refer: http://www.waterforlife.nsw.gov.au/education/support/funding_package :

• Water efficiency, reducing the demand for water by using water wisely;
• Recycling, increasing the community’s understanding of water supply and demand issues, including using alternative sources of water;
• Protecting and restoring river and catchment health within water supply catchment areas;
• Increasing the capacity of water educators, water stakeholders and the water sector to deliver effective and integrated education;
• Engaging the people of greater Sydney to play an informed and active role in planning and managing for a sustainable water future.

In more general sustainability terms, Sydney Coastal Councils Group (http://www.sydneycoastalcouncils.com.au/), a founding partner of the WSUD in Sydney Program has revised (2009) the Natural Resource Management Grants Summary that was released in previous years by the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority. Click Here for a copy.

Refer also http://www.environment.gov.au/water/programs/index.html or the Australian Governments GrantsLINK website, which will assist the location of a variety of grant programs for individuals, businesses and communities to help you to develop solutions to local and national problems, fund ideas and initiatives or provide assistance in times of hardship. Refer: http://www.grantslink.gov.au/

Links to Council Resources

I would like to thank the Water for Life Program (www.waterforlife.nsw.gov.au) who compiled the following information on behalf of council officers and to assist them in the development of targeted integrated projects and initiatives that leveraged off existing regional resources:

Sydney Water Corporation’s Every Drop Counts Business Program

The Every drop Counts (EDC) Business Program targets high water users in the manufacturing, commercial, hospitality, education and government sectors. Through this program, individual organisations are assisted and encouraged to manage their water as part of normal operational activities. The program helps stakeholders to get the most out of the water they buy and achieve demand reductions that can be sustained over the long term with the aim to integrate water management with existing operational and environmental management systems. Refer http://www.sydneywater.com.au/savingwater/InYourBusiness/EDCBusinessProgram.cfm

Examples of programs are:

Smart Rinse - Businesses in the hospitality sector can to save water in their kitchens at no cost. The program offers to replace existing old style pre-rinse spray valves (PRSV) with WELS 6-star rated Smart Rinse valves free of charge. Refer http://www.sydneywater.com.au/savingwater/InYourBusiness/AboutEDC/SmartRinse.cfm

Waterless Wok – A cost effective water efficient wok developed by Sydney Water that can save around 5,000 litres of water per day over a traditional wok stove. Administered by the Ethnic Community Council via a CCF grant. Refer http://www.sydneywater.com.au/Publications/FactSheets/Wok_stove_fact_sheet.pdf

Water Saver Grant Program- Available to small medium businesses in Sydney , the Illawarra and Blue Mountains that use between 20 kilolitres and 80 kilolitres of water a day. Funding includes up to 50% of a new water saving project whereby Sydney water will reimburse successful applicants for half the cost of water efficiency projects valued between $4000 and $40,000. Refer http://www.sydneywater.com.au/savingwater/InYourBusiness/businessWaterSaverGrant.cfm

The Every Drop Counts Schools Program is an education resource, which aims to make long-term improvements in water management and water efficiency in schools. It aims to increase student awareness of how precious water is and what them, and their community, can do to conserve it. There are also many useful websites with information about water related topics, including lesson plans and other teaching resources. Refer http://www.sustainableschools.nsw.edu.au/Default.aspx?tabid=322

Sydney Water Corporation also has a number of offers now available to assist the community to save water, councils may wish to promote them to residents, businesses, schools and community groups.

Love your Garden - Sydney water offers services to gardeners to enable their gardens to become water wise. This service involves a qualified horticulturalist visiting individual homes and evaluating their gardens precise watering needs. To get an accurate understanding of the garden, the horticulturalist looks at things like:

• soil type and quality
• position of plants and trees
• type of lawn
• how much sunlight and shade your garden gets
• Aspect (the slope of your lawn and garden).

During the appointment, smart watering tools which include a rain gauge and tap tags are provided. Participants also receive a detailed report that outlines the unique watering needs of their garden and vouchers for water saving products and services. Refer: www.sydneywater.com.au/Savingwater/Inyourgarden/loveyourgarden/

Toilet replacement service - Sydney Water's qualified plumbers can replace single-flush toilets with a new 4-star, water-efficient dual-flush toilet, saving up to $200 on the price of the toilet and installation. Single-flush toilets are one of the biggest users of water in homes - using 12 litres of drinking water with every flush. By switching to a 4-star dual-flush toilet, you can save about 25,000 litres of water every year. Services include:

• Choosing between three different 4-star, water-efficient, dual-flush toilets
• Removing your old single-flush toilet
• Installing a new 4-star, dual-flush water-efficient toilet plus a 10-year warranty
• Cleaning up afterwards.

Refer: http://www.sydneywater.com.au/Savingwater/InYourHome/Toilets.cfm

Waterfix - For just $22, a qualified plumber can install water saving devices in your home, which could reduce your water use by 21,000 litres of water a year. Large households (6 or more occupants) with relatively low incomes have the opportunity to save water, money and help protect the environment with this service provided free. Refer www. sydneywater .com.au/Saving Water /inyourhome/ WaterFix /

DIY Water Saving Kit is offered free to every household in Sydney, Illawarra and the Blue Mountains. Save up to $50 a year on your water and energy bills by completing the online registration to receive your Free DIY Water Saving Kit. There is also a short DIY installation video on the site. Refer: www.sydneywater.com.au/savingwater/InYourHome/DIYWaterSavingKit/DoItYourselfKit.cfm

Water Right Gardens - The WaterRight Gardens tool will help you explore how much water your landscape needs to remain healthy, and the best time to apply this water. It will also help you understand what factors affect your own garden and lawn watering needs, including plants, soil, wind, shade, rain and the season. With this tool, you can develop specific watering advice for each of your green areas, remembering that the objective of waterwise gardening is to reduce the amount of water required to maintain a healthy landscape, and to maximise the use of rain. Refer: www.ap.urscorp.com/watertool/Default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Sydney Water Speakers Program - Sydney Water staff are available to answer these questions and more through a tailored presentation to your group:

• Why do we need a desalination plant?
• Why don’t we recycle more?
• Why don’t we collect stormwater?
• What are businesses doing to save water?

The presentation can be delivered during business hours or evenings, and is free of charge.
If you would like a Sydney Water speaker please call 9350 6137 or email speakersprogram@sydneywater.com.au

Refer: http://www.sydneywater.com.au/WhoWeAre/SydneyWaterSpeakers/index.cfm

Sydney Water also offers a range of giveaways and collateral valuable for stall displays. Refer: www.sydneywater.com.au

NSW Department of Water and Energy

NSW Department of Water and Energy’s Water for Life Education Program - is an integrated component of the NSW Government’s Metropolitan Water Plan. Through Water for Life, community campaigns, innovative on-the-ground water education projects and training and resources are being deliveres as part of the NSW Government’s plan to sesure Sydney ’s water supplies. The Program’s focus is to support and encourage the greater Sydney community to play their part by using water more efficiently. To enable the community to play a key role, an important part of the program is to increase understanding of the range of strategies being implemented through the Metropolitan Water Plan. Refer http://www.waterforlife.nsw.gov.au/about/program

Council Partnership Kit -Water for Life has developed a resources kit and grant funding to support councils in greater Sydney to deliver or extend local water education campaigns. The Water for Life Council Partnership Kit was developed to support councils to increase community understanding of the large number of water recycling, stormwater harvesting and water efficiency projects that councils are managing, and to encourage water wise use. Applications are currently closed, however future rounds may be available in 2009. Councils can apply for up to $10,000 for individual councils and $30,000 for groups of councils to carry out water education campaigns or projects using materials contained within the Kit Guidelines. Refer www.waterforlife.nsw.gov.au/education/toolstips/partnershipkit

Resource Directory - The Water for Life Resource hub is designed as a ‘one stop shop’ on everything to do with water education for the community. It is regularly updated and contains a range of useful tools, resources, events and professional learning opportunities. It is designed to support you in improving the effectiveness of your projects, increasing priority of education for your organisation and accelerating staff development. You may wish to refer to the website to locate potential funding sources and professional learning opportunities: http://www.waterforlife.nsw.gov.au/education

NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change

Sustainable Schools NSW - aims to support all schools, their partners and the community in realising a positive environmental vision. A component of this program is for Schools to develop a School Environmental Management Plan that they and the school community can implement, review and celebrate. Council may like to encourage local schools to get involved. Refer www.environment.nsw.gov.au

NSW Water and Energy Savings Funds & Action Plan - The NSW Government introduced new water and energy saving initiatives in 2005 to boost the existing efforts of industry, government and households to use water and energy more efficiently and to encourage savings. The initiatives include new requirements for high water and energy users to prepare Water and Energy Savings Action Plans. The Plans involve assessing current water or energy use and identifying ways to save

The $335 million Water and Energy Savings Funds are also available to provide financial support to implement projects which will save water or energy. Refer www.environment.nsw.gov.au

Education for Sustainability Hub (EFS Hub) - The EFS Hub is an online learning network for sustainability professionals. The Hub connects sustainability practitioners with professional development to create opportunities for professional development, mentoring and networking. A feature of the Hub is “Education for Sustainability’- a capabilities framework that allows individuals to identify professional development opportunities and create their own learning profile. EFS learning profiles can be accessed online, anytime. The Hub’s online community will also allow professionals to identify supply gaps and remain up-to-date with the new training opportunities, events and resources. Refer www.environment.nsw.gov.au

Local Government and Shires Association

Urban Sustainability Support Alliance - The partnership project aims to help councils progress towards sustainability. Coordinated by the Local Government and Shires Association and assisted by the NSW Environmental Trust through its Urban Sustainability Program, the following will be delivered by the program partners over the project’s three year lifespan:

• Training and professional development sessions;
• Establishing and maintaining communication networks;
• Sharing experiences and lessons learnt by councils in their journey towards sustainability;
• Coordinating mentoring programs; and
• Developing tools and resources based on sound research and need.

For enquiries about the project and how your council may benefit, email USSA@lgsa.org.au or visit www.lgsa.org.au/www/html/2037-urban-sustainability-support-alliance.asp

Other relevant links: See Seminars pages for event links, Case Studies page for specific project links.

Other WSUD Capacity Building Related Sites

Healthy Waterways (South East Queensland) This project aims to develop and support a Water Sensitive Design Strategy to provide a framework for creating water sensitive communities.. http://www.healthywaterways.org/wbd_project_overview.html

Melbourne Water (WSUD related pages, case studies etc.)
http://www.wsud.melbournewater.com.au

Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology
http://www.catchment.crc.org.au

Clearwater Urban Stormwater Management Education and Training Program - initiative of EPA Victoria, Municipal Association Victoria and Melbourne Water to support local government and industry professionals with education and training on sustainable water management. http://www.clearwater.asn.au/

CSIRO Urban Water Program
http://www.dbce.csiro.au/research/urbanwater/

Hunter & Central Coast Regional Environment Strategy (HCCREMS) have done a lot of work on WSUD and capacity building with councils in this region.
http://www.urbanwater.info/index.cfm

The Burnett Mary Regional Group in partnership with the Queensland and Australian Governments have produced a great stormwater capacity building website. Replete with Factsheets, drain stencils, films (community announcements, You Tube Movies etc.), photography competition and even an animated “Drain Man” computer game; there are many ideas that can be applied to our own websites. Refer: http://www.stormwater.org.au/information.php

Other Related Sustainable Water Management Sites

Centre for Groundwater Studies - A cooperative research and education venture with strong focus on processes of groundwater recharge, discharge, contamination, remediation and management. The Centre will focus its activities on research, Short Course Industry Training and Postgraduate Education. For more information refer http://www.groundwater.com.au/

The Find More Leaks website is to educate engineers in the principals of water leak detection using a proven 3 step strategy – Localise, Locate and Pinpoint. The site contains case studies, industry (eg. manufacturers) links, training courses etc. Please refer the following web link to your council engineers responsible for asset management www.findmoreleaks.com

BASIX is now operational and a requirement for new dwellings in Sydney.
Go to www.basix.nsw.gov.au for more information.

Australian Institute for Landscape Architects
www.aila.org.au

Stormwater Industry Association homepage
www.stormwater.asn.au

Ecoliving Centre at the University of NSW http://www.ecoliving.cat.org.au/

Save Water This site has lots of information on water products and water saving tips (some of the content is specific to Victoria).
http://www.savewater.com.au/

Energy and Water Solutions - Shop in Newtown with sustainable household products http://www.energyandwatersolutions.com.au/

Your Home - Australian Greenhouse Office residential design guide and technical information http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/fs24_3.htm

Landcom - NSW Government developer. They have adopted a WSUD policy and have incorporated WSUD into a number of there developments.
http://www.landcom.nsw.gov.au/landcom/nsw/me.get?site.home

LGov Home page, contains useful information on all aspects of local government. Hosts weekly circular downloadable from the site
http://www.lgov.org.au/site/

Atelier Dreiseitl - An inspirational company from Germany making water re-use a feature of their urban designs. http://www.dreiseitl.de/intro.html

Resource centre for Urban Agriculture and Forestry - Dutch and Canadian consortium researching options for better agricultural management, including water use. http://www.ruaf.org/ruaf_inf_fr.html

Green Building Council of Australia - Peak industry body concerned with promoting and encouraging sustainable building http://www.gbcaus.org/default.asp

Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures was formed in 2003 to deliver irrigation research, education and training which gives confidence to growers, industry, governments and the community. Refer: http://www.irrigationfutures.org.au/

The Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment focus on issues relating to water quality management and health risk reduction from catchment and reservoir management and water treatment to the distribution of drinking water to consumers taps. Refer: http://www.waterquality.crc.org.au/index.html

The web pages detail research findings regarding potential environmental impact of laundry detergents. Organisations may wish to promote to residents via their own web pages and fact sheets etc. Refer: http://www.lanfaxlabs.com.au/

Rainwater Tank Information

Alternative Technology Zine, with tips on installing rainwater tanks, greywater re-use, mini-hydro power plants and water sensitive landscaping as well as other alternative technologies
www.ata.org.au

Sydney Water information on rainwater tanks
http://www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/RainwaterTanks/

enHEALTH (Australian Government) Rainwater Tank Guidance. Site also contains other water related health information.
http://enhealth.nphp.gov.au/council/pubs/ecpub.htm

NSW Health - Rainwater Tanks brochure and guidelines http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/ehb/water/rainwater.html

Rainwater Tank Suppliers (NSW)

Action Tanks - http://www.actiontanks.com.au/index.aspx ph: (02) 9453 0300

Bluescope Water (Division of Bluescope Steel) ph: 1800 654 774 http://www.bluescopewater.com.au/home.htm

Bushman Tanks - http://www.bushmantanks.com.au/ ph: 1800 008 888

City Rainwater Tanks (now trading as BlueScope Water)- ph: (02) 9623 2414

Clark Tanks - http://www.clarktanks.com.au ph: 1800 887 979

Cessnock Tank Works (02) 4991 2558

Leafbeater Systems - http://www.leafbeater.com.au

Rainbank - http://www.rainbank.com.au/ ph: (02) 8300 0463

Rain Reviva - http://www.rainreviva.com.au/ ph: 1300 552 695

RainSaver Guttering Systems - http://www.rainsaver.com.au/ ph: (02) 9807 7595

Rocla - EcoRain Rainwater Utilisation System - www.waterquality.rocla.com.au
ph: 131004

SmartFlo rainwater-harvesting gutters and tanks (formerly EnviroFlo) - http://www.smartflo.com.au/ ph:(02) 4968 0833

Tankmasta - http://www.tankmasta.com.au ph: 1800 826 562

Waterwall Modular Rainwater Tanks - http://www.waterwall.com.au/ Available at Bunnings and Reece Plumbing ph: (03) 9689 3055

Victorian Links

EPA Victoria
http://www.epa.vic.gov.au

Association of Bayside Municipal Councils web site, ABM Online - Features planning frameworks and implementation plans
http://www.abmonline.asn.au/cmpp/

VicUrban (previously Urban and Regional Land Corporation & Docklands Authority: Victorian Government-owned Developers)
http://www.vicurban.com/index.php?action=flash_detect

Cooperative Research Centre for Catchment Hydrology
http://www.catchment.crc.org.au

Documents available for purchase through the CRC at http://www.catchment.crc.org.au/publications

Queensland Links

Australian Green Development Forum
http://www.aus-gdf.org/

Brisbane Council - rainwater tank information and rebate page
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:STANDARD:1865584606:pc=PC_919

Healthy Waterways (South East QLD)
http://healthywaterways.org/