2006•7th International Conference on Urban Drainage Modelling and the 4th International Conference on Water Sensitive Urban Design; Book of ProceedingsRequires access
Mimicking Environmental Flows Is Not a Pipe Dream: Using Runoff Volume Frequency Curves to Measure the Impact of WSUD
Leanne J Dallmer Roach, Rodney N Wiese, M. B. Liebman
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Abstract
There has been considerable debate about the impact of development on sensitive receiving environments and the adequacy of measures to mitigate key environmental impacts. Environmental planning instruments, legislation, policy and guidelines have been created to protect the environment from the effects of urbanisation. In respect of setting objectives for development compliance, some provide specific targets for water quality and few refer to water quantity beyond the management of peak flows. It is widely acknowledged that Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is one approach which can be used to enhance environmental protection. There are numerous guidelines developed to facilitate the implementation of WSUD within Australia, however, these generally focus on water quality targets rather than water quantity to measure the impact of development on the environment. Water quantity management deserves more attention to protect sensitive receiving environments. This is demonstrated through specific aspects of a recent study for a residential development at Norman Street, Prospect (NSW). This paper explains the innovative and detailed modelling that was undertaken to demonstrate the impact of the proposed development on an adjacent, endangered ecological community. Further, this paper describes the data requirements, variables and logic of the modelling, as well as how to produce and interpret the results for the Norman Street subdivision example. We show that implementing WSUD measures makes a significant impact to the runoff volume frequency curves and the subsequent hydrological regime. In particular, we demonstrate a negligible water quantity impact to the adjacent Cumberland Plain Woodland as a result of this development proposal. This paper provides an example of protecting sensitive environments by mitigating urban runoff volumes, thereby moving beyond standard peak flow and water quality management.