Stormwater management in Adelaide: a new partnership

Stormwater in Adelaide has traditionally been regarded as a nuisance to be disposed of as effectively as possible. As a result a network of drains has been constructed to minimise the risk of flooding. Today there is an increasing awareness of the problems associated with stormwater discharge quality highlighted by the outcry of the state of the water in the recreational water bodies such as the Torrens Lake and the Patawalonga. People are demanding action to address the issue of water pollution. Solutions to these problems need to be sought through a new approach to the management of stormwater. Innovative designs that satisfy several objectives are needed and a general change in the philosophy of the treatment of stormwater is required if we are to satisfy these demands. A new partnership has been proposed between State and Local Governments to provide a multi--objective approach to stormwater management in the Adelaide Metropolitan area. The partnership is to address such issues as water quantity and quality, the environment, aesthetics and the Potential for re-use of stormwater. The structure proposed is a central authority comprising of both state and local movement representatives who would report to the Minister for Public Infrastructure and be responsible for distribution of funds, setting of guidelines and policies and the general management of stormwater. Responsible to the authority Would be five Catchment boards with representation by the various Councils whin prescribed catchments. These boards would be responsible for deriving individual catchment management plans in accordance with the guidelines and policies set by the authority and the implementation of those strategic plans. Individual councils would be responsible for their lateral drainage systems and would need to comply with the strategic plans of the Catchment Boards for which they are members.