A 10-year strategy
to reduce flooding, reduce stormwater pollution and increase the use of
alternative water sources will be exhibited for public engagement.
The draft Stormwater
Services Strategy 2020–30 outlines the City’s approach to managing the rising
demands on our drainage network and stormwater systems.
We maintain an
extensive range of stormwater assets, with a combined value of more than $600
million.
This includes
about 1900km of pipes, more than 64,000 stormwater pits, 300 retarding basins,
20 pump stations and more than 150km of open stormwater drains.
The
unprecedented rates of population growth and significant economic development
across the municipality will place greater pressure on our systems.
The City is
expecting the drainage network will expand by about 20 per cent and water
sensitive urban design assets will double within the next decade.
The strategy will
be the foundation document for the City’s stormwater management practices and
actions.
It contains
practical measures to help us achieve baseline levels of service for all 25
catchment management units over the next decade.
Goals outlined
in the strategy include:
- Accessing
20 per cent of our water from alternative sources, including stormwater, by
2031; - Establishing
a target for tree coverage and green spaces supported by stormwater irrigation
before 2026; and - Undertaking
extensive community engagement at least every five years to support the development
of future stormwater service strategies.
Trials of the
strategy delivery approach – which can be funded from existing rates and
charges – will be first delivered in Lara and Hovells Creek, and Ocean Grove
and Clifton Springs.
The strategy
also identifies four flagship projects, which will address a range of issues
across the municipality.
The four
flagship projects are:
- The
Northern Geelong Green Corridor Project; - Lake
Connewarre Protection Project; - Bellarine
Peninsula Sustainable Water Project; and - Water
Proofing Urban Geelong
The flagship
projects will need to be funded from alternative means, such as development
contributions, government grants, external sources or special rates and
charges.
The community
is invited to provide input on the strategy from mid-January 2020, for a period of eight weeks.
Feedback will
be used to inform the development of a final Stormwater Service Strategy and
action plan before its scheduled implementation in July 2020.
The Strategy
has been supported by a $100,000 contribution from the Victorian Planning
Authority.
The Strategy can be viewed within the 10 December 2019 agenda.
Councillor Stephanie Asher – Mayor
This strategy aims
to support Geelong’s growth, health and liveability. Managing our water future
is a critical element in sustainability as a region.It will help us
prepare for Geelong’s increasing population and growing economy, which are
putting pressure on our existing stormwater systems.
Councillor Anthony Aitken – Chair, Parks, Gardens and City Services portfolio
The region is
facing more extreme weather events from climate change, so the importance of a
well-managed stormwater infrastructure is elevated.The strategy
sets out a 20 per cent target to get water from other sources, including from
stormwater harvesting, which is terrific for our trees in parks and gardens.I welcome the
four flagship projects, which will address flooding issues across the
municipality and improve waterway health.
