Cooling cities using green open space Estimating the benefits of using open green space to cool our cities DOWNLOAD THE FACT SHEETBackground Green open spaces can play a significant role in cooling cities. Shade and evapotranspiration from vegetation create cooler microclimates. Green spaces also provide other benefits like flood management, recreation and amenity benefits, biodiversity and cleaner air. Estimating the …

Practice Guide – Cooling (Lot scale) Using water to cool residential outdoor spaces DOWNLOAD THE GUIDEBackground Finding effective ways to keep cool during hot weather is important for our health and comfort. Finding sustainable ways to stay cool is important for the planet.  This new practice guide shows how easy it can be to use water wisely to create cool, …

Frameworks for sustainable urban water management Integrating water sensitive cities and circular economy principles to improve urban water management A circular sedimentation tank at a Melbourne-area water treatment facilityBackground Our cities and towns face significant sustainability challenges:  Rising urban water demand, driven largely by population growth and urbanisation  Climate change reducing the reliability of rainfall-dependent water sources and increasing the …

Funding climate resilient water services Balancing short-term affordability and long-term customer value in the presence of climate change Sugarloaf Reservoir, which supplies Melbourne’s northern, western and central suburbs.  Photo: Melbourne Water We are working with Frontier Economics to develop a high-level action plan that helps water utilities better manage climate-related risks that affect service delivery. Supporting the funding of climate …

All options to achieve alternative water targets Considering how alternative water sources can help meet Melbourne’s long-term water needs Upper Yarra Reservoir is surrounded by forested water supply catchments – a legacy of our city’s planners.  Photo: Melbourne Water We are working with MSDI Water to understand the options and opportunities available by considering a comprehensive ‘all options on the …

Vector-borne diseases and water sensitive urban design Exploring the climate impact on mosquito habitats and disease spread Aitken Creek.  Photos: Melbourne WaterBackground 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 …

Protecting headwater streams: Ideas for Aitken Creek Identifying novel solutions to protecting headwater streams under pressure from new urban development IDEAS FOR AITKEN CREEK – REPORTAitken Creek.  Photos: Melbourne Water We are working with Melbourne Water, the University of Melbourne and Alluvium to develop guidance that can be applied at various scales and across jurisdictions. Background Headwater streams – the …