Water Sensitive Urban Design project

Institutionalising Water Sensitive Urban Design in the Greater Adelaide Region 

The 'Institutionalising Water Sensitive Urban Design' (WSUD) project aims to ensure water-friendly design will be incorporated into all of Greater Adelaide’s suburbs, houses and commercial and industrial precincts and buildings.

The State Government project, led by Planning SA and financially supported by the Australian Government, is investigating how to formalise Water Sensitive Urban Design principles and ensure WSUD leading practice is applied to all forms of urban development in the Greater Adelaide region.

For the purposes of this project, WSUD relates to all water resources (from whole of catchment level to dwelling and allotment scale) including surface water, groundwater, and urban and roof runoff.

The project's objectives are to economically and safely:

  • improve water quality
  • minimise the use of potable ('mains') water
  • maximise water reuse
  • reduce pollution
  • reduce peak flows and flood risk
  • restore and maintain water for the environment, and
  • provide visual and potential recreational benefits in local communities.

The application of WSUD is not limited to private development. It also applies to, and requires integration with, works carried out on public lands such as roads and open space.

The project is being part-funded by the Australian Government's National Heritage Trust as part of the Commonwealth’s Coastal Catchment Initiative, with additional funding being provided by a number of State Government agencies and the Local Government Association (SA).

Further detail about the project

The project aims to tailor WSUD to local conditions in the Metropolitan Adelaide and near country (Outer Metropolitan Adelaide) areas and provide a consistent reference tool for planners, design practitioners and the development industry.

The project objectives will be achieved through four means:

  1. The development of a WSUD Framework that details legislative, policy and system requirements necessary to ensure the consistent implementation of WSUD to all forms of urban development in the Greater Adelaide region
  2. Preparing a specific WSUD Technical Manual suitable for application in Greater Adelaide, and accompanying information documents, for use by industry and council stakeholders
  3. Building the capacity of organisations and individuals to implement WSUD by developing a WSUD training package to improve the application of WSUD ‘on the ground’ in new developments and in redevelopments in the Greater Adelaide region
  4. Preparing model planning policy for inclusion in the State Planning Policy Library and in council area Development Plans. This will promote consistency in assessing new development proposals against clear WSUD policies/requirements

Project implementation 

Planning SA is being assisted by a Steering Committee and Technical Subcommittee, comprising representatives from key stakeholders within state and local government and private industry, including the Housing Industry Association (SA) and Urban Development Institute of Australia (SA).

Following an open tender call in February 2007, a consultant team was appointed to provide a wide range of specialist expertise necessary to advise on achieving the project’s objectives. The consultant team is led by Australian Water Environments Pty Ltd and includes the University of South Australia’s School of Natural and Built Environments, and QED Pty Ltd.

During the course of the project stakeholders have provided substantial input through targeted focus groups and through broader consultation to test draft documents and draft training modules. Valuable input has been provided by representatives of the water industry, the LMC and the development sector, including the Master Builders Association (SA).

Work on stage 1 of the project - developing the draft WSUD Framework - commenced in April 2007. Work on stage 2 of the project – developing the draft WSUD technical guidelines commenced in August 2007.

A stakeholder (government and private sector) focus group to provide input on the direction and content of the WSUD Framework was held on 26 July 2007 and a similar focus group to provide input on the structure and format of the technical documents was held on 25 September 2007.

In March/April 2008 government and private sector stakeholders were then invited to review a ‘package’ of draft documents and provide input. This WSUD ‘package’ included a draft WSUD Framework; draft Technical documents; and a draft model planning policy.

The comments received were considered by the project team and the Steering Committee and refinements made to all the draft documents. The final draft documents, including a 16 chapter Technical Manual, are now being reviewed and finalised through Planning SA.

Work on the Capacity Building stage of the project commenced with a stakeholder (government and private sector) focus group held on 5 December 2007. This workshop provided information about the needs and priorities for capacity building for organisations and individuals, both during the project and after project completion.

Four training modules were susbsequently prepared and trialled in June 2008, for local government, technical/design practitioners, planners and developers.

Additional training and seminars are proposed for October/November 2008.

Project completion is on track and scheduled for December 2008.

This website will be updated as the project progresses (last updated: 6 August 2008).

Project contact