Vector-borne diseases and water sensitive urban design

Exploring the climate impact on mosquito habitats and disease spread

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Aitken Creek.  Photos: Melbourne Water

Background

Climate change affects multiple aspects of urban water management. An emerging public health issue relates to vector-borne diseases and the potential connection between water sensitive urban design (as breeding habitat), mosquitoes (as vectors) and climate change (changing the range in which mosquito-borne diseases are observed).

This rapid literature review defines what is known and explores key gaps about the impacts of climate change on the presence of mosquito-borne disease that may be associated with water sensitive urban design (WSUD).

This rapid literature review was conducted in 3 stages:

  1. an initial review of selected papers pr1ovided by Melbourne Water
  2. a review of additional papers sourced from Google Scholar
  3. additional information from expert reviewers.

The review suggested the benefits WSUD, such as increased biodiversity and social outcomes, may outweigh the potential health and nuisance risks of mosquitoes. A complex set of factors affect mosquito presence and abundance and the risk of disease transmission. Isolating the relevant risk presented by WSUD and justifying changes in management approaches is challenging. Many knowledge gaps need to be addressed to inform decisions about the best management options and adaptations.

The study focused on Victoria. Conclusions may be extrapolated to other similar jurisdictions if the scope and limitations of the original search are acknowledged.

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What we’re doing

Aitken Creek is an ephemeral headwater stream that rises in an agricultural landscape and flows through northern Melbourne to join Merri Creek. It is in Melbourne’s northern growth corridor meaning it is experiencing significant development pressure.

Melbourne Water’s Healthy Waterways Strategy recognises the value of the headwater streams across Greater Melbourne and outlines objectives to protect them in developing areas. To better protect these sensitive ecosystems, we need to complement our current knowledge and existing tools with new innovative solutions.

This project involves working with stakeholders including policy makers, planners, consultants and water managers, to identify:

  • real and perceived barriers to achieving better outcomes
  • novel solutions and lessons that can be applied to other headwater locations being urbanised.
The guidance promotes a ‘how to do it’ approach, rather than simply a ‘what to do’ approach.
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The CRCWSC has produced research, guidelines and
tools related to the following topics:

Integrated Urban Flood
Management

Climate change
mitigation

Community
engagement

Economics and
business case

Flood resilience
Green Infrastructure
Urban heat