Maintaining WSUD assets
Although the significant environmental and social benefits from vegetated WSUD infrastructure are widely recognised, the maintenance of these systems is often perceived to be more expensive than that of traditional stormwater or park assets. This is intensified by the necessary bespoke design of WSUD solutions and a lack of familiarity with the different maintenance requirements of each type of system.
New WAter Ways has investigated the key issues faced by local governments in the maintenance of WSUD assets and noted that while cost is a factor, there are many other issues that influence the delivery of vegetated asset maintenance. These are summarised in Report 1 below and include:
- skills and knowledge
- available resources
- planning, monitoring and audit
- executive support
- team integration.
Recommendations to address the above issues are contained in Report 2 and include:
- incorporation of sustainability and liveability goals into high level corporate strategy.
- establishing a range of service levels to guide maintenance requirements that are agreed and allocated early.
- monitoring of the performance of newly constructed WSUD assets under different site and rainfall conditions to inform the future assessment of designs.
- improved feedback loops so asset staff can advise on preferred and non-preferred design and construction practices.
- gaining Councilor and senior executive support for investment in in-house skills/staff
- programs to educate the community on how WSUD assets operate, and the liveability and amenity benefits they generate.
- working with infrastructure agencies to improve coordination of works to enhance outcomes.
- “Asset handover packs” for maintenance crew that document what the asset is for and how it works and where the closest environmental receptor is.
- compliance officers for building site management to ensure the functioning of newly established WSUD assets are not detrimentally impacted during the construction phase.
Maintenance guidelines for other States
The 'why and how to' of preventing sediment pollution
Minimising the potential for sediment pollution during urban development is a shared responsibility. All parties have a role to play and need to take actions collectively by ensuring best practice erosion and sediment control measures are in place that safeguard river, wetland, estuary and marine ecosystem health and the recreational, aesthetic and cultural values we associate with a healthy environment.
Sediment Task Force
The Sediment Task Force brings together the knowledge of government, builders, land developers and the community to create resources to tackle some of the environmental impacts of building development.
The Sediment Task Force website at Perth NRM contains a significant number of resources for local government and industry. Some of there are replicated below. Visit Perth NRM for the complete list.
The Sediment Task Force’s Keeping Soil on Site Information Sheet series consists of 17 InfoSheets, with categories for Western Australian builders, land developers, Local Government Officers, homeowners and residents, covering a range of issues including:
Erosion and sediment control activities by WA local governments
Local Government plays a key role in managing urban development. Poor industry practices result in sedimentation and declining water quality and biodiversity, as well as considerable unbudgeted expenditure being incurred by Local Government for street sweeping, pipe cleaning and maintaining drainage infrastructure and vegetated stormwater assets.
Learn about the:
Sediment checklists
The Sediment Task Force has developed an easy-to-use field-based checklist to assist Local Government Officers (LGOs) to inspect incidences of soil erosion, sediment runoff, sand drift and dust from building, subdivision and construction sites. The On-Site Checklist will enable LGO’s to quickly identify erosion and sediment loss; record and follow up on actions to resolve a breach; provide best practice recommendations; and offer useful tips to facilitate a positive and timely solution. The checklist has been endorsed by WALGA as a necessary tool in the drive for delivering a Waterwise community and to reduce the environmental impact of urban development. You can use the checklist as an “in-house” publication or for internal reporting purposes.
Economic cost of erosion and sediment loss from construction sites
The Sediment Task Force has published it's its Economic Cost of Erosion and Sediment Loss from Construction Sites report and summary report. This report compiles current data and case studies illustrating the economic costs of erosion and sediment loss during urban development. Examples of costs expended on sediment management by governments in WA are up to $1,663,400 annually. This report also outlines economic benefits of implementing best practice erosion and sediment controls, and likely costs to the land development and building industry. Ten recommendations are offered, the most important being that the sustained and consistent erosion and sediment control compliance and enforcement activities result in high levels of effective onsite erosion and sediment control performance.
Our focus areas
Supporting community wellbeing and healthy environments within resilient and sustainable places throughout Western Australia.
Looking for Information? Have a look at some of our resources.
Our Partners
Department of Lands and Heratige
UDIA
Department of Water and Environment
WALGA
Department of Biodiversity
Water Corporation