Rosehill Waters in South Guildford prioritizes water-sensitive urban design, featuring energy efficient fixtures, native landscaping, and living streams retrofit for stormwater treatment.
Scale: Precinct
Development Type: Commercial development, Public open space, Residential development
Local Government: City of Swan
WSUD Solution: Biofilter and raingardens, Community bores, Living streams, Retain native vegetation and natural landform, Soakwells, Water efficient fixtures and fittings, Waterwise landscaping
Rosehill Waters, a sustainable residential development along the Helena River in South Guildford, emphasizes water-sensitive urban design. With 624 dwellings spread over 47 hectares, including ample public open space connecting to the river foreshore, the project integrates various water-efficient measures.
Homes feature WELS 3 star-rated fixtures, while gardens utilize hydroplanting and low-water native species. A community bore service by Total Eden supplies irrigation water, reducing scheme water usage by at least 40%. Raingardens and bioretention areas treat stormwater, complemented by living streams retrofitted from degraded agricultural drains. These streams, designed for ecological and recreational benefits, retain mature vegetation and feature stabilised banks to prevent erosion.
Despite construction challenges such as managing high water volumes and sediment control, Rosehill Waters achieved a six-leaf accreditation from the Urban Development Institute of Australia for sustainability. Recognized for water efficiency and environmental stewardship, it received the EnviroDevelopment Chairman’s Choice award and Stormwater WA 2018 award for Master Planning. The development is also endorsed as Waterwise by the Water Corporation, highlighting its commitment to sustainable water management in a drying climate.
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Supporting community wellbeing and healthy environments within resilient and sustainable places throughout Western Australia.
