Achieving integrated urban water management via the planning system in WA
Purpose:
This paper describes advances in the achievement of WSUD outcomes through ensuring greater integration of land use and water planning, largely relating to greenfield urban development. It proposes a strategy for ensuring that the total water cycle is addressed in planning applications, plans and strategies at appropriate stages in the process.
Introduction and background:
The planning system has a significant role to play in the implementation of Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) via the statutory approvals process. Better urban water management can be achieved through assessing new development to ensure the principles and practices of WSUD are incorporated into the design and development of new urban areas. The consideration of water issues must be integrated with other planning and development issues so that land and water planning are undertaken concurrently, rather than independently and consecutively.
A key factor in the success of IUWM is the identification of effective and appropriate tools for integrated implementation through the planning system, at each of the various stages of planning approval. Tools include town planning scheme provisions, urban water management strategies developed as part of structure planning, improved conditions of subdivision and development, and technical recommendations for on-ground action. As total water cycle management is yet to be well understood by the planning fraternity, further guidance is required on the matters which should be addressed in planning documents to achieve good water management outcomes.
Methods:
State and Local Government and the private sector are currently working together under a Memorandum of Understanding to produce an Integrated Land and Water Management Plan (ILWMP) for the Southern River /Forrestdale /Brookdale /Wungong District Structure Plan Area (the DSP Area).
Substantial district-level land use planning has occurred within the DSP area. This planning assessment revealed significant constraints to development in the DSP area, including, among other issues, the need to address drainage, nutrient and flood management.
Some progress has been made with regard to development of the ILWMP and a substantial number of sub-projects have been initiated and are nearing completion. One such project involved the identification of specific requirements to achieve WSUD outcomes at each stage of the planning process. This project assessed particular developments ocurring in the DSP area. It identified opportunities to achieve WSUD outcomes, recommending specific actions to be taken on behalf of the proponent, State or Local Government. Subsequent progress of these developments through the planning system enables an assessment of the success of the recommended action.
To facilitate recommendation of an appropriate action, a strategy was developed which identifies the need for certain investigations and documentation to be supplied at regional, district, local and lot levels. The strategy ensures that the necessary information is generated and presented at the appropriate time to support the proposed land use plan or form. The description of this strategy and its success so far is the main topic of this paper.
It is recognised, however, that in order for the implementation strategy to be effective in achieving WSUD outcomes, it must be supported by an overall framework that addresses other issues, assumptions, tools, monitoring, assessment and learning. These matters are being addressed within the DSP area by the MOU Group as part of development of the Southern River Catchment ILWMP.
Results:
Preliminary findings suggest significant support for the developing strategy. Encouragement has been provided at State Government level as it is recognised that this strategy will aid in achieving consistency across the planning and development industry regarding the information supplied and assessed at each planning stage. It will also ensure that the right actions are taken at appropriate stages and that decisions are made based on accurate and suitably detailed information.
Initial comments from Local Government are also supportive, as benefit is perceived from clearer identification of roles and responsibilities for obtaining and assessing water information and in defining the level of detail required. The strategy was also seen to be of assistance in defining the expectations of Local Government for local planning requirements.
Significant support has been received from the development and engineering fraternity, as the strategy provides some certainty for developers regarding the expectations of State and Local Government in assessing planning applications and structure plans. In addition, the inclusion of design objectives for water quality and quantity has been widely praised, as it provides the benchmark for design work.
Conclusion:
Western Australia does not have a legislated framework for achievement of WSUD through the planning approvals system. The development of detailed guidance to aid the integration of land and water planning at all major stages of the process has received the support of State and Local government authorities and the urban planning and engineering fraternities. Implementation of the strategy via the Southern River MOU project will enable it to be assessed and refined and (hopefully) eventually applicable across the Perth metropolitan area.