Mainstreaming Water Sensitive CitiesActivities that shift new practices from being novel to becoming embedded as a new-normal practiceProjectsEvents Mainstreaming describes the activities that shift new practices from being novel to becoming embedded as a new-normal practice. Water Sensitive Cities Australia’s Mainstreaming Program (2021–2025) set out to bring water sensitive practices into everyday urban planning and development.Building on almost a decade …
Delivering Water Sensitive Housing in a Housing CrisisBalancing housing growth, climate resilience and liveability across Australia(opens in a new tab)DISCUSSION PAPER(opens in a new tab)We are looking for funding partners from all jurisdictions, including consortiums of government agencies, water utilities, councils and water practitioners, to advance water sensitive affordable housing at scale.CONTACT US(opens in a new tab)BackgroundAustralia’s housing crisis is …
Cooling cities using green open space Estimating the benefits of using open green space to cool our cities (opens in a new tab)DOWNLOAD THE FACT SHEET(opens in a new tab)Background 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 …
Practice Guide – Cooling (Lot scale) Using water to cool residential outdoor spaces (opens in a new tab)DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE(opens in a new tab)Background 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 …
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 – REPORT(opens in a new tab)Aitken 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 …
45 Shand Road, Reservoir Taking an innovative approach to water sensitive urban design(opens in a new tab)Original case study 2022(opens in a new tab)Updated case study 2024The Shand Road affordable housing development proposed an innovative approach to water sensitive urban design (WSUD) as a part of a broader strategy to achieve long-term sustainability.The innovations included WSUD features to provide flood …