Managing Urban Stormwater: Council Handbook: Draft

Managing Urban Stormwater:
Council Handbook
Draft
November 1997
NSW Environment Protection Authority

Acknowledgments
This document is the result of input from a number of sources. The project manager and
principal author was Mike Sharpin, with significant input from Shane Barter. This
document and the draft document Managing Urban Stormwater: Strategic Framework, on
which this document is based, benefited from input from various Environment Protection
Authority staff, particularly Joe Woodward and Anne Clark. Paul Clark (formerly of the
EPA) also provided input into this document and was responsible for guiding a series of
Pilot Projects on stormwater management, which have assisted in preparing this
document. Eric Hatfield (EPA), Russell Cowell (EPA), Barbara Schaffer, Cathy Gray, Chris
Gray and Peter Coupland have also helped prepare previous documents which assisted
with the evolution of this document. Constructive comments have also been received
from reviewers of the draft Managing Urban Stormwater: Strategic Framework document.
The assistance of the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy, and Ministry of
Natural Resources, Canada, is also appreciated.
For technical information about this report, contact:

Manager Stormwater
Environment Protection Authority
Level 15, 59-61 Goulburn St
PO Box A290
Sydney South 1232
Phone: (02) 9795 5000 (main switchboard)
Phone: 131 555 (publications and information requests)
Fax: (02) 9325 5999
Published by:
Environment Protection Authority

Level 15, 59-61 Goulburn St
PO Box A290
Sydney South 1232
Phone: (02) 9795 5000 (main switchboard)
Phone: 131 555 (publications and information requests)
Fax: (02) 9325 5999
ISBN 07313 2792 6

EPA 2001/73
November 1997
Printed on recycled paper
ii
Foreword
Urban stormwater management is a complex and challenging issue. There is no single
answer to our stormwater management problems and we need to derive innovative
management approaches using a mix of strategies. The effective management of urban
stormwater is also a shared responsibility, requiring the active involvement of many State
Government Agencies, local councils, land developers, building contractors, industry and
individuals.
The preparation of catchment-based stormwater management plans provides an

opportunity to involve all stakeholders in the development of an appropriate and
coordinated mix of strategies to address the specific management issues for each
catchment. These plans will highlight the significant conceptual shift that has occurred in
stormwater management, focusing on issues that affect the health and amenity of our
waterways rather than perpetuating the limited and traditional focus on flood mitigation
and drainage. Many of the solutions will be found by looking upstream to find ways we
can manage a range of day-to-day activities, rather than focusing on managing the
downstream impacts.
The NSW Government is releasing a series of Managing Urban Stormwater documents to

assist local councils and other organisations with urban stormwater management
planning and improving stormwater management practices.
iii
iv
Managing Urban Stormwater: Council Handbook
DRAFT
Managing Urban Stormwater: Council Guidelines
Contents
PART A – STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING .............................................. 1
1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Managing Urban Stormwater .................................................................................... 3
1.2 Purpose of this document ........................................................................................... 3
1.3 Roles and Responsibilities for Stormwater Management ......................................... 3
2 WHAT IS A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN? .......................................... 4
3 THE NEED FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANS ................................... 5
4 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES ...................................................... 6
5 UNCERTAINTY.......................................................................................................... 7
PART B – THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING PROCESS................ 9
6 FRAMEWORK FOR PREPARING STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANS .... 11

6.1 Legal Framework ...................................................................................................... 11
6.2 Relationship with other Plans .................................................................................. 11
6.3 Cooperation between stormwater managers .......................................................... 11
6.4 Consultation .............................................................................................................. 12
6.5 Council Activities Affecting Stormwater................................................................. 12
6.6 Stormwater Management under the Local Government Act................................. 13
7 STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT IN THE PLANNING PROCESS ..................... 13
8 PREPARING STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANS....................................... 14
9 IMPLEMENTATION ................................................................................................ 34
10 MONITORING .......................................................................................................... 35
11 REVISING THE PLAN.............................................................................................. 36
PART C – EXAMPLE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN .................................39
REFERENCES .....................................................................................................................57
v
DRAFT
APPENDIX A – NOTICE REQUIRING PREPARATION OF STORMWATER

MANAGEMENT PLANS .....................................................................................................69
APPENDIX B – URBAN STORMWATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT.....................71
APPENDIX C –STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES ................................93
APPENDIX D - LEGISLATION AFFECTING URBAN STORMWATER

MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................................. 115
APPENDIX E – CATCHMENT AUDITING ................................................................... 127
APPENDIX F - STORMWATER QUALITY MODELLING.......................................... 133
APPENDIX G - STORMWATER QUALITY MONITORING ....................................... 141
APPENDIX H – ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF NEW URBAN

DEVELOPMENTS ............................................................................................................. 153
APPENDIX I - STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS .................................... 157
List of Figures
Figure 6.1 – Possible Stormwater Management Structure .................................................... 12
Figure 8.1 – Tasks for Preparing Stormwater Management Plans ....................................... 15
Figure 8.2 – Linkages between catchment values, stormwater management objectives,
issues, causes and management options......................................................................... 16
Figure 9.1 – Linkages between a catchment-based Stormwater Management Plan and
Council Management Plans ............................................................................................ 35
Figure I.0.1 - The Stormwater Management Process .......................................................... 159
List of Tables
Table 4.1 – Stormwater Management Hierarchy ................................................................... 7
Table 5.1 – Potential Stormwater Management Techniques .................................................. 8
Table 6.1 – Potential Influence of Council Activities on Stormwater................................... 13
Table 8.1 – Potential Stormwater Treatment Objectives ....................................................... 23
Table 8.2 – Possible Management Issues and Causes............................................................ 25
Table 8.3 – Potential Management Practices ......................................................................... 27
Table 8.4 – Cost scores for Option Ranking Scheme ............................................................. 31
Table 8.5 – Benefit Scores for Ranking Options Scheme ....................................................... 31
Table 8.6 –Example Options Ranking Sheet .......................................................................... 33
vi
DRAFT
PART A – STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

PLANNING
1
DRAFT
2
DRAFT
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Managing Urban Stormwater
This document is part of a package of documents on managing urban stormwater
published by NSW Government agencies. The other components of the package are:
• Managing Urban Stormwater: Source Control. This document contains a range of
techniques for managing stormwater at the source, including education and Council
operations.
• Managing Urban Stormwater: Treatment Techniques. This document contains a range of
techniques for treating the runoff from urban areas.
• Managing Urban Stormwater: Soils & Construction, which describes urban soil
conservation and stormwater management of construction activities.
1.2 Purpose of this document

A notice requiring the preparation of catchment-based stormwater management plans
was issued to all local councils by the Environment Protection Authority under Section 12
of the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991. This notice is reproduced in
Appendix A. The Sydney and Hunter Water Corporations, the Roads and Traffic
Authority and other State Government agencies with stormwater and/or land
management responsibilities are required to cooperate with councils in the preparation of
these plans.
The aim of this document is to provide guidance to local councils and other organisations
on the preparation of catchment-based stormwater management plans in accordance
with this notice. It also provides State Government agencies, developers and other
organisations with guidance on meeting the requirements of a stormwater management
plan.
This document discusses the process involved in preparing these plans and provides an
example plan which provides a guide on a suitable format of a catchment-based plan.
Where this document refers to a catchment it should be read as also referring to a sub-
catchment of a larger catchment.
These guidelines are intended for application in urban residential areas under post-
development conditions. The planning process could, however, also be applied to large
freeway projects or industrial/commercial sites. The preparation of Erosion and Sediment
Control Plans for construction activities is discussed in Managing Urban Stormwater: Soils
& Construction.
1.3 Roles and Responsibilities for Stormwater Management

Stormwater management within a catchment is often undertaken by a number of
organisations. Local councils are generally responsible for the majority of stormwater
systems, although there may be more than one council within a particular catchment.
The Sydney and Hunter Water Corporations also have responsibility for major stormwater
systems in some catchments. The Roads and Traffic Authority is also responsible for
stormwater systems on freeways and State Roads under their control.
State Government Agencies including the Environment Protection Authority, the
3
DRAFT
Departments of Land and Water Conservation and Urban Affairs and Planning, NSW
Fisheries, the Waterways Authority and the National Parks and Wildlife Service also play
a role in stormwater management. Catchment Management Committees and Trusts, Lake
and Estuary Management Committees and other coordinating bodies also have a strong
interest in stormwater management. Decisions and actions in different areas by these
organisations can strongly influence stormwater management. This includes decisions on
the location and form of urban development.
The process outlined in Part B of this document has been developed to provide
information on stormwater management needs which can provide input into Councils’
Management Planning process required under the Local Government Act. Management
practices, both non-structural and structural, aimed at addressing stormwater
management problems and issues are to be identified and prioritised for each stormwater
manager in the catchment. This information can then be considered and incorporated in
Council’s development of annual Management Plans. Councils’ Management Plans are
required by the Local Government Act to describe Council’s principal activities, including
capital works, services, asset replacement programs and activities aimed at protecting
environmentally sensitive areas and to promote ecological sustainability. The
recommendations of the Stormwater Management Plan can also be considered when
stormwater managers other than councils are preparing their annual works programs.
2 WHAT IS A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN?

The primary goal of urban stormwater management plans is to facilitate the coordinated
management of stormwater within a catchment to maximise ecological sustainability and
the social and economic benefits of sound stormwater management practices.
A stormwater management plan is a document that provides the direction for stormwater
management within a catchment or sub-catchment. The plan is to:
• identify the existing and future values of a catchment
• derive stormwater management objectives to protect these values
• identify problems and issues that may compromise these objectives
• detail a suite of non-structural and structural management practices to address these
problems and issues which have been agreed between all stormwater managers within
a catchment.
A stormwater management plan is a framework for action
It is important that the stormwater management plans:

• encourage community involvement in stormwater management
• encourage the preservation of valuable existing elements of the water environment
• maximise the control of stormwater runoff at the source
• identify and prioritise an appropriate mix of cost-effective stormwater management
practices to suit the particular requirements of a catchment
• link to Councils’ management planning processes, specified in the Local Government
Act.
• incorporate monitoring procedures to allow for feedback and improvement of the
plan.
The stormwater management plans are to be catchment or sub-catchment based. A plan

may encompass more than one catchment, although the management strategies should be
4
DRAFT
based on the characteristics of each individual catchment.
Due to the complexity of the physical, chemical and ecological processes which occur
within and between catchments, the application of prescriptive management practices is
considered inappropriate. In addition, the management objectives, problems, issues and
community expectations will also vary between catchments.
The preparation of management plans for each catchment enables these characteristics to
be recognised and for appropriate stormwater management practices to be implemented.
Decisions on the adoption of these management practices should be based on achieving
cost-effective and balanced environmental solutions which reflect these individual
catchment characteristics. An inter-disciplinary approach by stormwater managers is
appropriate to achieve these goals.
The focus of the plan is environmental protection through improved stormwater

management. The plan should therefore be regarded as a management tool, and the
emphasis in stormwater management should be on developing and implementing actions,
rather than focussing on producing a high quality ‘glossy’ plan.
In many cases, the stormwater management plan that is prepared to comply with the
EPA’s notice will be a council’s first such plan. As the stormwater planning process is
never “complete”, this plan should form the foundation for future plans (refer to
Appendix I for a discussion of Stormwater Management Systems). Given the time and
funding constraints for this plan’s preparation, it is likely that the plan will not be as
comprehensive as may be desired. The critical issue is that it represents the start of the
process, and raises awareness of the need for improving current stormwater management
practices. It may not provide all of the long-term solutions, but provides a framework for
developing these solutions.
A stormwater management plan prepared to comply with the EPA’s notice is to address
“environmental protection” as a minimum requirement. Additional issues can, however,
be included in the plan, including stormwater management for flood protection,
stormwater management of rural-residential and rural areas and management of existing
stormwater assets
3 THE NEED FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANS

Stormwater management plans are needed to:
• minimise future impacts on the stormwater environment
• provide a framework for mitigating existing impacts on the stormwater environment.
Changes to the water environment that can occur due to urbanisation include:
• increased runoff volumes and peak flow rates
• elevated pollutant concentrations and loadings
• increased channel erosion and sedimentation
• removal of riparian and foreshore vegetation (and possible replacement with exotic
species)
• degradation of aquatic habitats
• installation of barriers (eg culverts, weirs)
5
DRAFT
The resulting impacts of urbanisation on the water environment include:
Water quality:
• Elevated suspended solids levels can reduce light penetration, inhibiting primary
productivity and predator visibility, and deposited sediment can eliminate habitats for
aquatic insects.
• Elevated nutrient levels can increase primary productivity, including algal and
macrophyte growth.
• Toxicants may be lethal to fish and other aquatic fauna.
• Herbicides may reduce the abundance of algae and macrophytes.
• Increased temperatures can alter the life cycles of aquatic fauna and stimulate primary
productivity.
Streamflow:
• increased frequency and magnitude of flows and associated disturbance to terrestrial
(eg urban bushland gullies) and aquatic ecosystems
• altered tidal excursion and salinity in estuaries
• increased channel erosion
Riparian vegetation:
• increased water temperature
• increased primary productivity and weed growth
• altered organic matter inputs, altering aquatic fauna communities
Habitats
• loss of refuge, habitat and spawning areas for fauna
• reduction in variability in velocity and flow distribution characteristics
• reduced diversity and abundance of aquatic fauna and flora
Barriers
• impact on the colonisation and dispersal of aquatic fauna
• culverts/bridges over estuaries can reduce upstream tidal flushing and increase tidal
velocities
In summary, whilst it is difficult to make generalisations about the impacts of urbanisation

on aquatic ecosystem health, it is expected that the diversity of aquatic flora and fauna
will be reduced and community composition altered, although the relative abundance of
species tolerant to the altered conditions may increase.
The magnitude of these impacts will be catchment-specific and also depend on the pre-
development land uses. These impacts are discussed further in Appendix B.
4 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

The stormwater management plan is to be based on ecologically sustainable development
(ESD) principles (refer to Appendix D for a discussion of ESD in legislation). The resulting
management principles also need to be tailored to each catchment’s climatic, ecological,
social, land use and administrative characteristics.
There are however, three broad management principles that can be followed, with the
hierarchy of these principles noted in Table 4.1.
This hierarchy is compatible with ESD. It preserves valuable features of the water
environment and promotes cost-effective stormwater management by controlling
6
DRAFT
stormwater at the source and only proposing “end of pipe” techniques for the residual
impacts that cannot be cost-effectively mitigated by source control.
Broad management practices that are compatible with this hierarchy are noted in Table
5.1. Further details of these management practices are contained in Section 8.
A ‘river health’ approach to stormwater management is encouraged. This involves

consideration of water quality, streamflow, riparian vegetation and aquatic habitat
management issues, which are discussed in detail in Appendices B and C. There is
increasing evidence that solely managing stormwater quality using a “best management
practice” approach is insufficient to mitigate the impacts of urbanisation (eg Maxted and
Shaver 1996; Shaver et al 1996).
Retain (and restore)*

valuable features of the
water environment
Source control
(water quality & quantity)
“End of pipe”
management practices
*if degraded
Table 4.1 – Stormwater Management Hierarchy
5 UNCERTAINTY
There is a degree of uncertainty associated with many aspects of stormwater
management, including:
• pollutant generation from different land uses
• the response of waterways to pollutant loadings
• aquatic ecosystem responses to changed water quality, flow and other conditions
• the response of channel morphology to changed flow regimes
• the effectiveness of stormwater treatment measures and other management practices
• water quality and hydrological modelling
Despite this uncertainty, there is ample evidence that urbanisation results in negative
impacts on the stormwater environment. The current difficulties in quantifying these
impacts should not prevent actions being implemented to minimise these impacts
following the precautionary principle of ESD.
Uncertainty in stormwater management needs to be acknowledged and accepted.
7
DRAFT
Table 5.1 – Potential Stormwater Management Techniques
Issue Retention and Restoration Source Control Techniques ‘End of pipe’ Techniques
Techniques
Flow management Retain (and restore if degraded) • Minimise impervious areas • Retarding basins
existing watercourses and wetlands (water sensitive urban
(flow attenuation) design)
• Stormwater reuse
• Stormwater infiltration
• Limit development on
floodplains
• On-site detention
Channel morphology Retain (and restore) existing • Minimise changes to • Channel stabilisation
management watercourses streamflows • “Natural” channel design
Water quality management Retain (and restore) existing • Urban capability assessment • Erosion and sediment control
watercourses and wetlands (in-stream • Community education • Large (off-site) stormwater
water treatment) • Improved operations and treatment measures
maintenance practices
• Small (on-site) stormwater
treatment measures.
Riparian vegetation Retain (and restore) existing riparian • Urban capability assessment
management and foreshore vegetation • Water sensitive urban design
Aquatic habitat Retain (and restore) existing • Urban capability assessment • Stream/habitat restoration
management watercourses and wetlands • Water sensitive urban design
• Route selection for roads
8
DRAFT
PART B – THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

PLANNING PROCESS
9
DRAFT
10
DRAFT
6 FRAMEWORK FOR PREPARING STORMWATER
MANAGEMENT PLANS
6.1 Legal Framework

The notice to prepare a stormwater management plan will be issued by the EPA under
section 12 of the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991. The EPA has issued
this notice as it considers that the preparation of the plan will contribute to environmental
protection. Relevant details of the Act are contained in Appendix D.
There are a number of additional Acts that provide powers related to stormwater
management, and which need to be considered when preparing stormwater management
plans. These Acts and their primary role relevant to stormwater management include:
• Clean Waters Act – controlling water pollution.

• Pollution Control Act - licensing pollution discharges and approving pollution controls
• Environmental Planning and Assessment Act - land use planning, environmental impact
assessment, and development and subdivision approvals
• Local Government Act - building and other activity approvals, orders, and water,
sewerage and drainage works (refer also to section 6.6)
• Soil Conservation Act - soil conservation and erosion
• Water Act - riparian water usage
• Rivers and Foreshore Improvement Act - works adjacent to watercourses
• Catchment Management Act - establishing Catchment Management Committees and
Trusts
• Fisheries Management Act - management of aquatic fauna habitats.
Further details of these Acts are provided in Appendix D.
The Clean Waters Act and the Pollution Control Act will be superseded by the Protection of
the Environment Operations Act, which is currently in Bill form. The draft Bill retains the
offence to pollute waters. Appendix D contains further details of the Bill.
6.2 Relationship with other Plans

It is important that the stormwater management plan preparation considers the findings
or recommendations of other plans or reports that may affect stormwater management in
a catchment. These may include:
• Catchment management plans
• River management plans
• Floodplain management plans
• Estuary management plans
• Healthy Rivers Commission report
• Council management plans
6.3 Cooperation between stormwater managers

In many catchments, there will be more than one organisation responsible for stormwater
management. These organisations may include a number of councils, the Roads and
Traffic Authority, the Sydney or Hunter Water Corporations and a Catchment
Management Committee or Trust. To integrate management objectives, a Steering
Committee or Task Force can be formed with representatives for each stormwater
management organisation and possibly community representatives. The effectiveness of
11
DRAFT
the Committee will be enhanced if a coordinator is appointed from one of the member
organisations.
The Committee would be responsible for the preparation of the stormwater management
plan and broad identification of management tasks to be undertaken by each member
organisations. This arrangement avoids a ‘pyramid’ management structure that may
result in one organisation dictating requirements to other organisations. This is illustrated
in Figure 6.1.
Council A, Council B
Water Corporation Steering
Coordinator Catchment Management Committee Committee
Roads and Traffic Authority
Community representatives
Prepare stormwater
management plan
Council A Council B Implement

actions
Water Corporation Roads and Traffic Authority
Figure 6.1 – Possible Stormwater Management Structure

(after Throsby Creek SMS)
6.4 Consultation
Consultation with the public and other stakeholders is to be undertaken during the
preparation of the plan and a consultation strategy should be developed early in the plan
preparation process. Stakeholders can provide information that will be useful in the
preparation of the plan. Further, it is important that the community be encouraged to
accept a degree of ‘ownership’ of the resulting Management Plan . The Plan should not be
“imposed” on the community without consultation, as the community is responsible for
many of the stormwater problems within a catchment. This is discussed further in Section
7.
6.5 Council Activities Affecting Stormwater

There are a wide range of Council activities that have a direct or indirect influence on
12
DRAFT
stormwater management, which are noted in Table 6.1. It is therefore important that
plans be prepared in consultation with all sections of a Council that have a direct or
indirect involvement in stormwater management. If this consultation is not undertaken,
there is a risk that the implementation of actions may be less effective.
Table 6.1 – Potential Influence of Council Activities on Stormwater
Council Activities Potential Influence on Stormwater

Environmental planning – strategic Urban capability assessment
planning Section 94 plans for stormwater management
Environmental planning – Stormwater management practices for new
development control developments
Building approvals and inspections Soils and water management of building sites.
Environmental health Trade waste, discharges to stormwater,
education
Parks and gardens Maintenance activities (eg tree planting, fertiliser
application, grass cutting)
Road maintenance Various maintenance activities
Drainage system maintenance Various maintenance activities
Waste collection Litter management
Road and drainage design Road route selection, drainage system design
Finance Budgets for stormwater management
Library Community education
Human Resources And skills development
6.6 Stormwater Management under the Local Government Act

The Local Government Act requires a council to prepare a management plan with respect to
the council’s activities for at least the next three years and the council’s revenue policy for
the next year. Relevant sections of the Act which relate to the framework for council’s
responsibilities stormwater management planning are contained in Appendix D. A
Council’s implementation program within a stormwater management plan is to be
compatible with the provisions of a council management plan.
7 STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT IN THE PLANNING PROCESS

There are likely to be three broad groups of stakeholders who may be involved in the
preparation and implementation of urban stormwater management plans:
• Stormwater managers - including council(s), Sydney or Hunter Water Corporations,

Roads and Traffic Authority
• Community - including residents, local industry, operators of commercial premises,

conservation groups.
• Coordination groups – such as Catchment Management Committees and Trusts,

Estuary Management Committees etc.
• State Government agencies - including the Environment Protection Authority,

Department of Land and Water Conservation, Department of Urban Affairs and
13
DRAFT
Planning, NSW Fisheries, NSW Waterways Authority, National Parks and Wildlife
Service.
Coordination of stormwater managers within a catchment, which can be achieved by the

establishment of a steering committee or a task force, has been discussed in Section 6.3.
Community representatives could be included on the Steering Committee/Task Force. If a

catchment has large areas of industrial or commercial land use, inclusion of industry
groups (eg the local Chamber of Commerce) could be beneficial. Alternatively, a
community advisory committee could be established to provide a single point of contact
for the steering committee/task force.
Structured community input could be obtained at the following stages in preparing or

implementing the plan:
• when values and issues are being identified, possibly through review of an issues
report
• following preparation of a draft stormwater management plan
• during monitoring programs
• revision of the plan.
Potential techniques for obtaining public input include (after OMEE & OMNR 1993):
• brochures, highlighting the plan-preparation process and requesting community input
(a tear-off postage-paid questionnaire can be very effective)
• articles or advertisements in local newspapers
• displays at local shopping centres, council chambers, libraries and any parks adjacent
to the stormwater system
• field trips, where cause-effect relationships can be demonstrated and proposals
presented
• public meetings, to discuss issues and proposals.
As noted in section 1.2, State Government agencies with stormwater and/or land
management responsibilities are to cooperate with local councils in the preparation of
catchment-based stormwater management plans. The extent and nature of an agency’s
involvement is expected to be catchment specific, depending largely on the management
responsibilities within the catchment.
If an agency has a significant responsibility within the catchment, it could be invited to

join the steering committee/task force. Alternatively, if the responsibilities are less
significant, the agency could be consulted at an early stage in the plan preparation process
to identify any issues of specific interest to the agency. Following preparation of a draft
management plan, the agency could again be consulted to obtain their comments on the
draft plan.
8 PREPARING STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANS

The stormwater planning process is relatively flexible and should be responsive to the
catchment’s characteristics. The important issue is the resulting content of the plan and
whether the plan has complied with the requirements of the EPA’s notice.
There are a number of tasks that can be undertaken when preparing stormwater
management plans, which are illustrated in Figure 8.1. These tasks should be considered
as an example process, rather than being a prescriptive requirement.
14
DRAFT
An effective catchment-based approach to stormwater management will be enhanced if
the following tasks are undertaken in an integrated and complementary manner.
However, the allocation of resources to stormwater management is clearly a matter for
individual Councils and other stormwater managers. It is therefore important that Plans
are consistent with Councils ability to resource the actions identified in the Plan. This
approach therefore provides for a single integrated, catchment-based plan which
incorporates separate, but complementary implementation strategies developed by each
separate Council.
Figure 8.2 illustrates the links in the Plan preparation process, from catchment values
through to separate implementation strategies for each Council or stormwater manager.
Task 1 – Establish Framework
Task 2 – Collect Existing Data
Task 3 – Describe Existing Conditions
Task 4 – Identify Values
Task 5 – Identify Objectives
Task 6 – Identify issues and causes
Task 7 – Prepare Issues Report Stakeholder Review
Task 8 – Identify Potential Options
Task 9 – Evaluate Options
Task 10 – Implementation Strategy
Task 11 – Prepare Draft Plan Stakeholder Review
Task 12 – Prepare Final Plan
Figure 8.1 – Tasks for Preparing Stormwater Management Plans
15
DRAFT
CATCHMENT STORMWATER ISSUES & MANAGEMENT RANK IMPLEMENTATION

VALUES MANAGEMENT CAUSES OPTIONS STRATEGIES
OBJECTIVES
Issue: Mgt. Option ‘A’ 1

Valuable Assessment Objective Ø Cause Mgt. Option ‘B’ 9
Characteristics Criteria Ø Cause Mgt. Option ‘C’ 7 Implementation Strategy Time
Mgt. Option ‘D’ 3 (Council 1)
Mgt. Option ‘A’ 1998
Mgt. Option ‘D’ 1999
Mgt. Option ‘E’ 2 Mgt. Option ‘E’ 2000
Mgt. Option ‘F’ 6
Issue: Mgt. Option ‘G’ 4
Valuable Long-Term Objective Ø Cause Mgt. Option ‘B’ 9 Implementation Strategy Time
Characteristics Objective Mgt. Option ‘H’ 5 (Council 2)
Assessment Objective Mgt. Option ‘I’ 6 Mgt. Option ‘E’ 2000
Mgt. Option ‘J’ 9 Mgt. Option ‘G’ 1999
Mgt. Option ‘D’ 8 Mgt. Option ‘H’ 1998
Figure 8.2 – Linkages between catchment values, stormwater management objectives, issues, causes and management options.
16
DRAFT
Task 1: Establish Framework

The first task in the process can involve establishing the overall framework for the plan
and the plan preparation process. This can involve establishing:
• the purpose of the plan (eg compliance with the EPA’s notice)
• the scope of the plan (eg first plan, revised/second plan)
• responsibilities for stormwater management within the catchment
• the boundaries for the plan (eg catchment/sub-catchment, individual township)
• public and other stakeholder consultation processes.
• relevance of the findings or recommendations of any other relevant plan.
Task 2: Collect Existing Data

The collection of existing data describing the characteristics of a catchment and its
waterways is useful for a number of purposes, including:
• describing the existing conditions within the catchment

• enabling the values of the catchment to be determined, from which management
objectives can be derived
• assisting with catchment audits, by prioritising areas for investigation
• identifying constraints and opportunities for improved stormwater management
practices, both structural and non-structural.
The data collected in this task should be related to one of these purposes, to avoid
collecting unnecessary data. For many catchments, a proportion of the potential data
needs noted below may not be readily available or cannot be quantified. It is difficult to
provide a ‘priority list’ for identifying these characteristics, as their importance will vary
between catchments. Items that may have a lower importance are italicised.
Further, for a first stormwater management plan, a preliminary assessment could be

undertaken using existing or readily available data. Any requirements for further
information that arise during the plan preparation process could be identified in the plan
as an action to be implemented.
Physical characteristics:
• soils, including permeability, erodability and dispersivity

• bedrock geology, including geochemical characteristics
• topography, including slope characteristics
• climate, including rainfall, evaporation and temperature distributions
• major services that may influence stormwater management practices (eg major
telecommunications cables, major gas mains)
• bridge and culvert crossings
• point sources of pollution (eg sewage treatment plants)
• major sewer overflows
• existing structural stormwater management practices (eg retarding basins, constructed
wetlands).
17
DRAFT
Social characteristics:
• regulating tools
• population characteristics, including demographics and language characteristics
• recreational areas, including water related (eg riverside parks) and water based (eg
swimming, boating, fishing) activities
• land use zoning
• land use (eg commercial, residential, industrial, recreation) and land ownership
categories (eg private, local government, State Government).
• Revenue from stormwater levy vs cost of
Waterway characteristics:
• physical characteristics of the stormwater ‘transport’ system (eg piped, lined or natural
channels)
• physical characteristics of receiving water bodies (eg lakes, reservoirs, wetlands and
estuaries), including bathometry, flushing rates and tidal conditions for estuaries
• fluvial geomorphology processes for natural (or modified natural) stormwater systems
and receiving waters, including erosion and sedimentation patterns
• surface hydrology, including flooding and baseflow characteristics
• groundwater characteristics
• water quality in stormwater ‘transport’ systems and receiving water bodies, under wet
and dry weather conditions.
• Costs, depreciation and upgrading costs.
Ecological characteristics:
• aquatic fauna and flora characteristics, including habitat value (this applied to both the
stormwater ‘transport’ system and receiving water bodies)
• riparian zone fauna and flora characteristics, including habitat value.
• areas of urban bushland.
Task 3: Describe Existing Conditions

Using the available data, a description of existing catchment conditions can be
undertaken. These conditions can include:
• topography, land use, soils
• hydrology (eg flooding and low flow characteristics)
• water quality (eg wet and dry weather, receiving water quality, major pollution
sources)
• watercourse and water body physical characteristics, and fluvial geomorphology (eg
channel erosion, sediment transport)
• aquatic habitat characteristics
• riparian and foreshore vegetation.
• aquatic ecosystems
• urban bushland, and existing stormwater-related impacts on urban bushland
A comprehensive assessment of these characteristics could be an extensive exercise.

Following the precautionary principle, the lack of detailed knowledge on these
characteristics should not prevent the development of a plan to improve current
management practices and prevent serious environmental degradation. Options for
overcoming any serious data needs include:
18
DRAFT
• undertaking a preliminary assessment based on the existing or readily available

information and one of the actions specified in the plan could be further detailed
investigations. Existing information could be supplemented by the use of scientific or
engineering judgement.
• modifying the Expert Panel Assessment Method that has been used to estimate
environmental flows (Swale and Harris 1995, Snowy Genoa CMC 1996). This could
involve a site visit by a series of experts in fields such as water quality, hydrology,
ecology, and geomorphology, who would use their knowledge of other stormwater
systems to provide a preliminary assessment of these characteristics in a short report.
• undertake additional studies before proceeding further. This may be appropriate

where there is limited knowledge on significant characteristics that may have a major
influence on the management plan. This approach may not be warranted for a first
stormwater management plan.
Where an existing information Expert Panel is used to assess existing conditions, this
should be noted in the plan.
Where this information is already reported by Council in a State of the Environment Report,
the Stormwater Management Plan may simply refer to that Report.
Task 4: Identify Management Values

There are a number of techniques available for assessing catchment and water body
values that relate to stormwater management. In general, these values will not be
quantitative, but qualitative or relative (ie related to high, medium or low values). A
preliminary assessment of these values could be undertaken, which may be refined
following receipt of additional information. It may be useful to establish these values by
holding a stakeholder workshop to obtain community input into the identification of the
values. These values may also be mapped over the catchment area.
Ecological values
The ecological values of a stormwater system relate primarily to the physical habitat
characteristics, streamflow and water quality conditions. A measure of the ecological
value of a stormwater system can be the extent to which a healthy and diverse ecosystem
exists. Values for the following categories can be assessed:
• Aquatic fauna: important habitats in freshwater systems include substrate (bed material
and geometry), woody debris and aquatic plants. For estuarine and coastal systems,
seagrass beds, mangroves and saltmarshes are valuable habitats. Details of habitat
requirements can be found in publications including Koehn and O=Connor (1990),
Newbury and Gaboury (1993), McDowall (1996), Underwood and Chapman (1995).
It should be noted that the requirements for Australian aquatic fauna may differ from
those for Northern Hemisphere fauna.
• Terrestrial fauna: habitats for terrestrial fauna including reptiles, mammals and
amphibians are extremely variable. From a stormwater management perspective,
these habitats relate principally to riparian zone vegetation. Publications describing
these habitats include Cogger (1992) and similar references.
• Aquatic flora: the principal habitat for freshwater aquatic flora such as macrophytes is
19
DRAFT
a substrate with appropriate attachment sites such as sediment. Streamflow
characteristics and water quality also influence the value of a watercourse to
macrophytes, particularly floating species. A sandy substrate is also required for
seagrass beds in estuaries and coastal waters, with flow characteristics, depth and
water quality are also relevant. Refer to Sainty and Jacobs (1990), Hutchings and
Saenger (1987), Adam (1990) and Underwood and Chapman (1995) for further detail.
• Terrestrial flora: the habitat value of a stormwater system to terrestrial flora is related to
the morphology of the banks and floodplain, and the prevailing streamflow and
groundwater conditions. These are discussed in Harden (1993) and similar
publications.
• Avifauna: the riparian zone, the stormwater >transport= system and receiving water
bodies can all provide habitats for land based and water birds. Details of these
habitats can be found in a range of publications including Frith (1977), Frith (1982)
and Marchant and Higgins (1991).
Social Values
• Public health and safety: a value of a stormwater system is that it conveys stormwater
runoff degree of risk to public health and safety. This also applies to water quality,
particularly for bacterial pollution (and other pathogens).
• Recreation: stormwater systems can provide valuable water based or water related
recreational opportunities, for both passive and active recreation. Recreational values
are discussed in DoP (1992).
• Visual amenity: stormwater systems and the riparian zone can provide aesthetically
pleasing landscapes. DoP (1992) and DoP (1993) describe the aesthetics of stormwater
systems.
Economic Values
• Water use: surface or groundwaters can be used to provide a water source for
domestic, irrigation, stock and industrial purposes.
• Aquaculture and other commercial fishing activities.
• Stormwater reuse: stormwater can be reused for potable or non-potable purposes to

minimise the demand for reticulated water, potentially reducing the costs of major
headworks projects and reticulation for conventional water supply systems.
• Property values: visually attractive stormwater systems can enhance adjacent property
values, particularly for properties adjacent to constructed wetlands and natural
channels.
Task 5: Identify Management Objectives

Following identification of the values of a stormwater system and its catchment,
management objectives can be developed to protect these values. These objectives may be
interim until further data is collected.
It is likely that two sets of objectives will be appropriate. The first may be long-term
objectives (effectively a ‘vision’ for the catchment) and the second being more short term,
20
DRAFT
quantifiable objectives. These short term objectives can be the basis for evaluating the
performance of the plan at the end of a certain period (eg 3 years).
The actual objectives (particularly the short-term objectives) will depend on the adopted
catchment values but may be similar to the following:
Ecologically Sustainable Development:
• Stormwater management shall be based on the principles of ecologically sustainable

development. These include the requirement to integrate environmental and economic
considerations in decision making. Key principles include:
- the precautionary principle Χ namely that if there are threats of serious or
irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be
used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation
- inter-generational equity Χ namely that the present generation should ensure that
the health, diversity and productivity of the environment is maintained or
enhanced for the benefit of future generations
- conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity
- improved valuation and pricing of environmental resources.
Long-term objectives:
• water quality in the catchment is to meet ambient water quality objectives.

• flows within the catchment are to meet the river flow objectives.
• the impact of urban stormwater on weed propagation and growth in bushland should
be minimised.
• the value of indigenous riparian, floodplain and foreshore vegetation is to be optimised
• the watercourses within the catchment are to be in a state of dynamic equilibrium
from a fluvial geomorphology perspective.
• the value of physical habitats for aquatic fauna within the stormwater system is to be
optimised
• the impact of stormwater on public health and safety should be optimised.
• the visual amenity of the stormwater system should be optimised.
• opportunities for the multiple use of stormwater facilities are to be optimised, to the
degree that they are compatible with other management objectives.
• the impact of new urban developments on these objectives is to be minimised.
Short-term objectives
• the ambient concentrations of nutrients within the catchment are to be reduced by [a

specified amount]
• litter is to be trapped from high litter generation areas, including [name of major
shopping centres, streets with strip shopping, major active recreation areas]
• the annual average flow from the catchment is to be reduced by [a specified amount]
• the majority of the urban stormwater entering the [name of a bushland reserve] is to
be treated to minimise weed propagation and growth.
• the riparian vegetation along [name of watercourse] is to be restored with indigenous
species
• the erosion in [name of watercourse] is to be addressed, to create a watercourse in a
state of dynamic equilibrium
• the physical habitats for aquatic fauna in [name of watercourse] are to be restored.
• improved recreational access adjacent to the [name of watercourse].
• the impact of new urban developments on these objectives is to be minimised.
21
DRAFT
Stormwater treatment objectives that could be adopted are noted in Table 8.1. These
objectives are also presented in two levels, namely a long-term vision and an ESD
objective. The ESD objective is based on what is currently considered to be a cost-effective
level of stormwater treatment. This is similar to the “Best Management Practice”
approach adopted in the United States, which is based on achieving the “point of
diminishing returns” in the performance of treatment techniques. This ESD objective is
expected to increase over time with advances in stormwater treatment techniques, moving
towards the long-term objective. For existing urban areas, compromises on the level of
treatment may be required.
A discussion on assessing the potential impacts of new urban developments on pollutant

loadings in presented in Appendix H.
Task 6: Identify Issues and Causes

This step of the plan preparation process involves identifying the factors that currently
prevent, or may prevent, the adopted management objectives from being satisfied. These
problems or issues may be environmental, social and managerial, and may include:
Environmental issues:
• poor water quality in waterways, under both dry and wet weather conditions
• inappropriate streamflow regime, both flooding and baseflows
• degraded aquatic habitats
• degraded riparian vegetation
• channel erosion and sedimentation
• weed growth in urban bushland
• degradation of ecologically sensitive water bodies (eg coastal wetlands identified under
State Environmental Planning Policy No.14)
Social issues:
• health risks associated with recreational use of polluted waters
• insufficient integration of stormwater systems and recreational facilities
• low visual amenity and landscape value of the stormwater system
• inadequate public involvement in stormwater management.
Managerial Issues
• inconsistency between environmental planning instruments and stormwater
management objectives
• inadequate funding allocated to stormwater management or management practices
are not cost-effective
• inadequate coordination of council operations affecting stormwater management
These issues can be identified by a combination of:

• a desk-top study, involving a review of existing information contained in reports,
studies and monitoring programs. This is particularly appropriate for identifying
environmental issues;
• field work, involving an inspection of the catchment, possibly by a catchment audit, as
described in Appendix E. This approach is also appropriate for identifying
environmental issues, although some social and management issues may also be
22
DRAFT
Table 8.1 – Potential Stormwater Treatment Objectives
Pollutant: Goal/Vision: ESD Treatment Objective:
Post construction phase:

Suspended solids (SS) Suspended solids loads equal to that which would have been 80% retention of the average annual load**
exported from the equivalent forested catchment
Total phosphorus (TP) The load of phosphorus from the catchment that results in the 45% retention of the average annual load**
attainment of the ambient water quality concentration objective
Total nitrogen (TN) The load of nitrogen from the catchment that results in the 45% retention of the average annual load**
attainment of the ambient water quality concentration objective
Litter No anthropogenic litter in waterbodies. Input of organic litter Retention of litter greater than 50 mm for flows
equal to that which would have occurred from the equivalent up to 25% of the 1 year ARI peak flow
forested catchment
Coarse sediment Coarse sediment loads equal to those which would have been Retention of sediment coarser than 0.125 mm*
exported from the equivalent forested catchment for flows up to 25% of the 1 year ARI peak
flow
Oil and grease No visible oil and grease (anthropogenic hydrocarbons) in In areas with concentrated hydrocarbon
(hydrocarbons) waterbodies deposition, no visible oils for flows up to 25%
of the 1 year ARI peak flow
Construction phase:
Suspended solids Suspended solids loads equal to those which would have been Maximum SS concentration of 50 mg/L for all
th
exported from the equivalent forested catchment 5 day rainfalls up to the 75 percentile depth.
All practical measures to reduce pollution are
to be taken beyond this event.
Other pollutants No export of toxicants (eg pesticides, petroleum products, Limit the application, generation and
construction chemicals) from the site migration of toxic substances to the maximum
extent practicable
* based on idealised settling characteristics
** a design storm of 25% of the 1 year ARI flow is to be adopted for the design of certain elements of some stormwater treatment measures
which can be used to meet this objective
23
DRAFT
identified
• discussions, involving council staff and staff from relevant State Government Agencies,
which can obtain information on a range of issues.
• Community consultation of Council client surveys
Involvement of the community and other stakeholders in identifying management issues

may encourage greater community ‘ownership’ of the resulting management decisions.
This is discussed further in Section 7.
Management issues and their causes can be generally identified to a qualitative level using
existing information and the use of scientific or engineering judgement. The exact scope
and causes of the issues may, however, not be quantifiable with existing data. Following
the precautionary principle, this lack of quantifiable data should not prevent the
preparation of a plan to address the issues.
Further studies or monitoring may need to be undertaken in the longer term. If necessary,
this can be undertaken during the plan preparation process, which is likely to be
applicable for significant issues. Alternatively, this information can be collected as a
recommendation of the management plan and interim decisions made based on the
existing information.
Following identification of these problems, the causes can be identified and their relative
contribution to the problem assessed (quantitatively or qualitatively). This can enable the
development of cost-effective management strategies and assist with allocating priorities
for action.
A range of management issues which may exist in a catchment and their possible causes
are noted in Table 8.2
Task 7: Prepare Issues Report

The results of the above investigations can be presented in a Stormwater Management
Issues Report, which can be directly incorporated into the final Management Plan. The
aim of this report would be to summarise the management issues to enable stakeholder
review before investigating potential management options. This may result in useful input
from stakeholders on the importance of management issues, the values and objectives
used to derive the issues, and potentially highlight additional issues.
The contents of the report may include:

• an introduction, outlining the purpose of the report
• a description of the catchment
• a description of existing conditions within the catchment
• the identified catchment values
• the stormwater management objectives
• the identified stormwater management issues
Task 8: Identify Potential Options

A broad range of structural and non-structural practices is available to address identified
stormwater management issues. Error! Reference source not found. provides a list of
potential practices, and notes where further information can be located about each
practice in the Managing Urban Stormwater documents and other sources.
24
DRAFT
Table 8.2 – Possible Management Issues and Causes
Category Issue Possible Cause
Environmental Elevated nutrient concentrations • excess fertiliser application in residential areas

• excess fertiliser application in parks and gardens
• washing of cars in streets
• sewer overflows
• atmospheric deposition
Elevated suspended solids concentrations • poor erosion and sediment control of construction activities
• channel erosion
• sewer overflows
• washing of cars in streets
Elevated bacterial concentrations • faecal contamination from domestic animal droppings
• sewer overflows
Litter in watercourses • insufficient number of rubbish bins
• insufficient emptying of rubbish bins
• littering in retail, commercial and industrial areas
Erosion of watercourses • removal of riparian vegetation
• increased flood-flows following urbanisation
• deposition of sediment from upstream sources
Weed growth in urban bushland • nutrients from stormwater
• weed propogules from residential gardens
• removal of canopy vegetation
Degraded aquatic habitats • physical alteration to habitats
• increased flood-flows
• increased sediment deposition
• removal of riparian vegetation
Degraded riparian vegetation • physical removal of vegetation
• introduction of exotic species
25
DRAFT
Table 8.2 – Possible Management Issues and Causes
Category Issue Possible Cause
Environmental Inappropriate streamflow regime • increased runoff due to impervious areas

(Cont’d) • increased flow rates due to hydraulic efficiency of stormwater systems
• insufficient stormwater reuse
• reduced baseflow due to decreased infiltration
• increased baseflow due to leaking water services
Barriers to aquatic fauna migration • culvert over watercourse
• weir in watercourse
• narrow bridge over estuary
Social Insufficient integration of stormwater • no walking paths adjacent to watercourses
systems and recreational facilities • no fishing areas
• no swimming areas
Low visual amenity and landscape value • concrete lined channels
of the stormwater system • degraded ‘natural’ channels
• litter along watercourses
Inadequate public involvement in • no catchment management committee
stormwater management
Managerial Inconsistency between environmental • environmental planning instruments (eg LEPs, DCPs) do not reflect
planning instruments and stormwater stormwater management objectives
management objectives
Inadequate funding for stormwater • insufficient allocation of rate income
management
Inadequate coordination between council • poor communications between divisions
departments • poor integration of responsibilities across divisions
Inadequate coordination between • poor communications between managers
stormwater managers within a catchment • absence of a catchment-based stormwater management plan
26
DRAFT
Table 8.3 – Potential Management Practices

Issue Category Management Practice Applicable for: Further information
existing proposed
Water Non- Educational material y y Source Control : .
quality structural
Planning controls (land capability assessment) Χ Y Source Control : .
Water-sensitive urban design Χ Y Source Control :
Control sewer overflows y Χ
Label stormwater pits y y Source Control :.
Erect signs along creeks, lakes, estuaries, etc. y y Source Control :
Provide facilities for disposal of oils and harmful chemicals y y Source Control :
Conduct regular catchment audits, concentrating on commercial/industrial areas y Χ Source Control :
Undertake regular maintenance of stormwater treatment measures y y Source Control :
Eliminate illegal sewer connections to stormwater systems y Χ
Assessment of the water quality impacts of new urban developments at the land - y Source Control :
use planning stage (eg preparation of local environmental plans)
Water Structural Erosion and sediment control Χ construction activities y y Soils and Construction:
quality
Litter baskets y y Treatment Techniques:
Litter racks y y Treatment Techniques:
Litter booms y y Treatment Techniques:
Sediment traps y y Treatment Techniques:
Gross pollutant traps y y Treatment Techniques:
Catch basins y y Treatment Techniques:
Water Structural Water quality inlets y y Treatment Techniques:

Quality
(Cont’d) Cont’d)
27
DRAFT
existing proposed
Buffer strips y y Treatment Techniques:
Grass swales (y) y Treatment Techniques:
Extended detention basins y y Treatment Techniques:
Constructed wetlands y y Treatment Techniques:
Triple Interceptors y y Treatment Techniques:
Coalescing plate interceptors y y
Infiltration basins y y Treatment Techniques:
Infiltration trenches y y Treatment Techniques:
Porous pavements y y Treatment Techniques:
Sand filters Treatment Techniques:
Proprietary products y y
Streamflow Non- Planning controls (delineate floodplains) (y) y Source Control:

structural
Purchase flood prone properties y n
Rainwater tanks y y
Structural Infiltration basins y y Treatment Techniques: s.
Infiltration trenches y y Treatment Techniques: s.
Infiltrate roof runoff y y
Porous pavements y y Treatment Techniques:
Streamflow Structural Grass swales (y) y Treatment Techniques:
(Cont’d) (Cont’d) Retarding basins y y
Extended detention basins y y
28
DRAFT
existing proposed
Retain urban watercourses (flow attenuation) (y) y
Aquatic Non- Preserve existing habitats y y

habitats structural
Planning controls (delineate riparian buffers) (y) y Source Control
Structural Reconstruct habitats y y Appendix C
Riparian Non- Preserve existing vegetation y y

vegetation structural
Planning controls (delineate riparian buffers) (y) y Source Control
Structural Replanting y y Appendix C
Channel Structural Streamflow management y y Appendix C

erosion
Bank stabilisation and protection y y Appendix C
Riparian vegetation planting y y Appendix C
Weed Structural Stormwater quality management y y Treatment Techniques

growth in
bushland Plant indigenous vegetation y y Appendix C
29
DRAFT
Task 9: Evaluate Options

The evaluation of these management options can be undertaken by assessing:
• estimated capital cost (including any associated costs such as service relocation)
• estimated operations and maintenance costs
• effectiveness in addressing the issue, including the ability to address multiple issues
• ability to complement other potential management practices
• land take requirements
• proportion of the problem/issue addressed by the option
• environmental impacts
• technical and administrative viability
• whether legal requirements are satisfied
• consistency with policies on other related issues (eg public health)
• expected community acceptance.
A ranking system can be a valuable technique for allocating a priority to management

options. Scores can be allocated to the costs and benefits of identified options to determine
a priority. Although this is a relatively simplistic and subjective process, it is ‘transparent’
and avoids unstated assumptions. While this is a potentially valuable management tool,
judgement will need to be applied when interpreting the results.
A potential ranking methodology derived for stormwater quality management is described

below, with the general description of the methodology being:
• each option is assessed in terms of its costs and benefits
• all factors are assigned a score from 1 to 10
• the cost index is comprised of 2 and the benefit index of 6 individual factors
• the cost factors are averaged and benefit factors are averaged to provide the cost and
benefit indices
• the cost index is divided by the benefit index and multiplied by 10, to avoid decimals,
to provide the cost benefit ratio
• the options are ranked (1 being the most desirable)
The limitations of this methodology include:

• some options may not readily lend themselves to this process
• although an attempt has been made to identify the most important factors, no attempt
has been made to include every possible factor
• the scores assigned to the benefit factors will be relatively subjective
• the scores assigned to the cost factors will probably be estimates only
• no attempt has been made to place weightings on the individual cost or benefit factors
or the ratio between them (eg: higher cost recommendations may be made more
competitive by dividing the cost index by 2 or some other factor considered
appropriate)
• the scheme may need to be tailored for the characteristics of a particular catchment.
The costs for each option can be allocated a score in accordance with Error! Reference
source not found.. When a stormwater treatment measure requires pre-treatment (eg a
gross pollutant trap upstream of a constructed wetland), the combined costs can be used
in the analysis.
30
DRAFT
Table 8.4 – Cost scores for Option Ranking Scheme
Capital Costs Operation and maintenance cost (annual)
Estimated cost ($) Score Estimated cost ($) Score
< 5,000 1 < 5,000 1

5,000 – 10,000 2 5,000 – 10,000 2
10,000 – 15,000 3 10,000 – 15,000 3
15,000 – 20,000 4 15,000 – 20,000 4
20,000 – 30,000 5 20,000 – 30,000 5
30,000 – 40,000 6 30,000 – 40,000 6
40,000 – 50,000 7 40,000 – 50,000 7
50,000 – 70,000 8 50,000 – 70,000 8
70,000 – 100,000 9 70,000 – 100,000 9
>100,000 10 >100,000 10
For water quality management options, the potential benefits can be allocated a score for
the estimated relative harm of the pollutant, number of pollutants targeted by the option
and proportion of the catchment addressed, in accordance with Error! Reference source
not found..
The relative harm of pollutants category addresses the pollutants considered to be the
most significant in urban stormwater and the corresponding scores are based on EPA
experience in a number of urban catchments. If the recommendation deals with a number
of pollutants, the highest score could be used.
The catchment proportion factor could be weighted in accordance with the relative
proportion of the pollutant sources in the catchment targeted by the option, not just the
physical area of the catchment.
Table 8.5 – Benefit Scores for Ranking Options Scheme
Relative harm of pollutants No of Pollutants Proportion of catchment
Pollutant Score Number Score Area (%) Score
Litter 2 1 1 < 10 1
Nutrients 4 2 2 11 – 20 2
Sediments 4 3 3 21 – 30 3
Bacteria 5 4 4 31 – 40 4
Oil & grease 6 5 5 41 – 50 5
Organic matter 7 6 6 51 – 60 6
Heavy metals 7 7 7 61 – 70 7
Toxins 8 8 8 71 – 80 8
81 – 90 9
91 – 100 10
31
DRAFT
Other factors that can be included in a water quality ranking include:
• relative level of the major pollutants to be targeted by each recommendation compared

with other pollutants. Each option could be provided with a score from 1 to 10;
• relative effectiveness of the option in dealing with the target pollutants. Each option
could be provided with a score from 1 (low) to 10 (high). A guide could be obtained
from Managing Urban Stormwater: Treatment Techniques.
• relative community education score of the recommendation. Options which will result
in increased community awareness and consequently enhance source control could
receive a higher ranking than structural solutions with low education capacity. Each
option could be provided with a score from 1 (low) to 10 (high).
A ranking sheet, similar to Table 8.6, could be used to evaluate the options.
An alternative ranking methodology is described in CDM (1993).
For structural water quality management practices, computer modelling can be

undertaken to assess the effectiveness of a range of options. A discussion on water quality
modelling is contained in Appendix F.
Task 10: Develop an Implementation Strategy

Following the evaluation and ranking of a series of stormwater management actions for
the catchment, it is advisable to review this ranking from a practical viewpoint before
progressing further. This may be particularly necessary if a simplistic evaluation and
ranking procedure, such as that outlined in Task 9, has been employed. It is important
that this ‘reality check’ be undertaken on an entire catchment basis to identify potential
overlaps or synergies between different management practices.
Following this review, a separate Implementation Strategy can be developed for each
stormwater manager within the catchment. Each Strategy should include prioritisation of
specific management actions to be implemented by each stormwater manager in the
catchment, and a tentative timeframe for their implementation. The broad prioritisation
of actions is aimed at facilitating the incorporation of proposed measures into councils’
development of Management Plans under the Local Government Act.
The Implementation Strategy will be crucial to the success of the plan. The failure to
adequately address financial and institutional considerations has been found to
compromise the efficiency of a number of early management plans prepared in the United
States (US EPA 1983). There is also the potential for loss of community support if the
recommendations of the plan are not implemented.
32
DRAFT
Table 8.6 –Example Options Ranking Sheet
RANKING THE OPTIONS
OPTION COSTS BENEFITS RANK
No Descriptio Installation Operating Cost Relative Harm No of Relative % of Effectiveness of Community Benefit Cost/Benefi Rank
n Index of Pollutants Pollutants Level of Catchmen Recommendation Education Index t Ratio
Pollutants t Targeted Value
33
DRAFT
Task 11: Prepare Draft Plan

The draft stormwater management plan should include:
• the contents of the Issues Report (refer to Task 7)
• a discussion on the identified management options
• the evaluation of the management options
• the Implementation Strategy developed for each stormwater manager in the
catchment
• a monitoring program, which includes mechanisms for incorporating the results of the
program into revisions of the plan (discussed in Appendix G)
• a program for the revision of the plan and linking its implementation to councils (and
other stormwater managers’) management planning processes.
• a mechanism for the dissemination of information on the implementation of the plan
and the results of any monitoring programs (this information could also be included in
the Council’s State of the Environment Reports)
Following the preparation of the draft stormwater management plan, stakeholders could
be invited to review the document.
Task 12: Prepare Final Plan

Following receipt of comments from stakeholders on the draft plan, a final stormwater
management plan can be prepared.
9 IMPLEMENTATION
There are a number of institutional requirements that may need to be satisfied for the
successful implementation of a stormwater management plan. These requirements from a
local government perspective are described in WSROC(1996), and can include:
• Structure and responsibility: a senior management representative can be nominated to

take responsibility for ensuring that the plan is implemented and reporting to council.
The staff and sections responsible for implementing the plan can be clearly identified.
The council can also take responsibility for developing a coordinated approach with
other stakeholders to achieve the plan’s objectives.
• Resourcing: council should take responsibility for ensuring adequate resources are
available to appropriate sections of the organisation. These resource requirements may
include staff, information, expertise, equipment and funding. Councils can investigate
all possible sources of funding.
• Training, awareness and competence: council should ensure that all staff whose
activities may have an impact on stormwater are aware of the causes of the impacts,
the benefits of good stormwater management and their specific responsibilities for
implementing the plan. Training of staff and other stakeholders may also be required.
• Communication: councils can establish procedures for effective communication

between stakeholders regarding stormwater management. Internal communication
between sections and staff may need to be defined by specific procedures. Councils
can also establish procedures for reporting on the implementation of the plan and the
34
DRAFT
results of any monitoring. This can be addressed in Council’s State of the Environment
Reports, Annual Reports and Plans of Management.
• Operational control: for areas of council operations that can have an impact on urban
stormwater (listed in Table 6.1), councils can define operating procedures to give effect
to the recommendations of the plan and monitor the implementation and effectiveness
of these procedures.
• Emergency preparedness and response: councils can establish procedures for

identifying and responding to stormwater related emergencies such as floods and
pollutant spills.
The implementation of the stormwater management plan will be reliant upon effective
integration of Implementation Strategy into Council’s management planning process
required under the Local Government Act 1993. Figure 9.1 illustrates this important link.
Preparation of stormwater
management plan:
Preparation of Council
management plan:
Council management
plans:
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Figure 9.1 – Linkages between a catchment-based Stormwater Management Plan and

Council Management Plans
10 MONITORING
There are two broad types of monitoring that can be undertaken for stormwater
management:
• water quality and biological monitoring
• observation monitoring.
This is in addition to monitoring the performance of a management plan, by comparing

planned actions against their achievement, and deriving strategies for addressing any
problems (refer to Appendix I).
Stormwater monitoring can be undertaken for the following purposes:

• assessing the prevailing conditions within a stormwater system or receiving waters
• obtaining water quality data for use in designing new stormwater management
practices
• determining the performance of existing stormwater management practices.
35
DRAFT
The conventional approach to monitoring relies solely on technical monitoring programs.

There is, however, considerable benefit in primarily non-technical monitoring undertaken
by the community. If the community is involved in monitoring the success of a plan, it
can be expected that they will be more likely to modify their behaviour if the objectives of
a plan are not being met. Conversely, a sense of pride in their achievements can be
generated if the monitoring indicates that the plan is succeeding.
Making the results of technical monitoring programs readily available to the community,
including both the detailed results of the program and a more widely circulated non-
technical summary, can assist this. Catchment Management Committees can be a useful
forum for both undertaking and reporting on monitoring programs.
Information on stormwater quality monitoring techniques is contained in Appendix G.

Where possible, stormwater quality modelling should be undertaken at sites that have
been used in the past for water quality monitoring, to enable a comparison between
results.
Observation-based monitoring can provide a general indication of the conditions existing

within a stormwater system and potentially highlight the need for more scientific
monitoring. This monitoring can be undertaken by council staff or interested members of
the public. The value of the monitoring may be enhanced if a pro-forma is developed,
which indicates the date, time of day, weather conditions, flow conditions, and possibly
flow depth. This approach will improve the consistency of the observations.
Items that can be identified by this technique include:

• litter
• foam
• surface scum
• surface oil
• algae Χ surface or attached
• odour
• water clarity Χ turbidity, visibility depth
• aquatic plants (macrophytes) Χ emergent, submerged, floating
• organic matter (leaves etc.)
• fish
• condition of riparian vegetation
• bank erosion
• sedimentation.
Further details can be found in Chapman (1996) for water quality monitoring and Raine
and Gardiner (1995) for riparian vegetation assessment.
11 REVISING THE PLAN

A timetable should be developed for revising the plan. A revision to the plan may be
appropriate:
• when significant additional monitoring data is available;
• if significant additional funding for stormwater management becomes available;
• following completion of significant additional investigations;
• if the monitoring data indicates that the plan will not achieve its objectives.
A revision to a plan does not necessarily need to involve the preparation of a
36
DRAFT
comprehensive new plan. The revision could involve the preparation of a supplementary
plan or an addendum.
As each catchment will differ in the need for a plan’s revision, it is difficult to provide firm
guidance on when a plan should be revised. In metropolitan and large regional centres,
the plan could be revised every 3-5 years, with a longer period possibly being appropriate
for small rural towns.
37
DRAFT
38
DRAFT
PART C – EXAMPLE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

PLAN
39
DRAFT
40
DRAFT
1 INTRODUCTION
Please note: Some Figures and Appendices referred to in this Plan are not provided. This Plan is
provided for guidance only.
1.1 Purpose of this Plan

This document is the Stormwater Management Plan (SMP) for the Example Creek
catchment. This catchment is located within the catchment of the Model Estuary, and is
located approximately 50 km east of the Sydney CBD.
This Plan has been developed cooperatively by Alpha and Beta Councils. Alpha Council,
being responsible for the largest portion of the catchment coordinated the preparation of
the Plan.
The aim of this plan is to improve the management of stormwater within the Example
Creek catchment. The plan:
• Describes the catchment
• Identifies existing catchment conditions
• Establishes the values of the catchment
• States appropriate management objectives
• Identifies management issues
• Evaluates potential management practices
• Contains Plan implementation strategies for Alpha and Beta Councils
• Presents a performance monitoring program
• Establishes stormwater management objectives for new developments
• Describes a mechanism for reporting on the implementation of the plan
1.2 Framework for Preparing this Plan

This plan has been prepared to comply with the requirements of a Notice issued to Alpha
and Beta Councils by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) under Section 12 of the
Protection of the Environment Administration Act. This notice is contained in Appendix 1.
This is the first stormwater management plan prepared for the Example Creek catchment.
There are currently no other plans or reports that provide a framework for this plan.
The EPA (1997) has, however, released for public comment a series of proposed interim
water quality and river flow objectives for the catchment. Water quality objectives
(WQOs), at this stage in the State Government’s Water Reform Package, are only
expressed in terms of environmental values, while a series of river flow management
principles has also been released for comment. Excerpts from the EPA’s Discussion Paper
relating to the Example Creek catchment are attached in Appendix 2.
1.3 Stakeholder Consultation

This plan has been prepared in consultation with a number of stakeholders groups,
namely:
• The Example Creek Catchment Management Committee (CMC);

• The Model Estuary Management Committee (EMC);
• The Alpha and Beta Regional Conservation Society ;
• The Omega Chamber of Commerce;
41
DRAFT
• Environment Protection Authority ;
• Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC);
• National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS); and
• Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP)
These stakeholders were invited to raise issues that should be addressed in the preparation
of this plan. Responses to this invitation are presented in Appendix 2.
In addition, the stakeholders were invited to two public meetings that were held during
the preparation of this plan. These meetings discussed management issues and the draft
management plan. Notes of discussions from these meetings are also included in
Appendix 2.
2. CATCHMENT DESCRIPTION
2.1 Waterways
There are two major tributaries of Example Creek, namely Eastern and Western Creeks, as
indicated in the catchment map shown in Figure 1. Example Creek upstream of its
confluence with Eastern Creek is locally known as Upper Example Creek. The catchment
2
area of Example Creek is 5.2 km , with Eastern and Western Creek’s having catchment
2
areas of 1.7 and 2.2 km respectively. These subcatchments are also shown in Figure 2.
There are also a number of unnamed tributaries of Example Creek.
Example Creek upstream of Omega is in a largely natural condition, although the rural
land uses have impacted water quality, and probably also stream flows. Through Omega,
the Creek has been largely concrete lined, as have many of the smaller urban tributaries.
The lower reaches of Eastern Creek have been locally modified, and realigned in sections.
The lower reach of Western Creek has been brick lined through Omega, although
upstream of Omega, the creek is in relatively natural condition. These channel conditions
are mapped in Figure 2. Numerous bridges cross these Creeks, which are also indicated
on Figure 3.
The Example Creek catchment drains to the Model Estuary. This is a relatively shallow
estuary, with a surface area of 75 ha, an average depth of 1.8 m and a volume of 1,350
ML. The mouth of the estuary opens intermittently to the Tasman Sea.
2.2 Land Use

Land use within the Example Creek catchment is mixed. The broad scale land use across
the catchment is mapped in Figure 5 and summarised in Table 1. A more detailed land
use map for the Omega urban area is presented in Figure 6.
Table 1 – Land Use in the Example Creek Catchment (ha)
Sub-catchment Urban Industrial Rural Forest/National

(residential) Park
Example Creek 120 12 188 55
Eastern Creek 25 2 88
Western Creek 28 0 22
Total 173 14 298 55
42
DRAFT
Catchment
Boundary
N
Alpha Council
Area
Western Example
Creek Creek
Eastern
Creek
Council
boundary
Omega
Urban Area
Omega
Urban Area
Beta
Council Epsilon
Area National Park
Model
Estuary
Figure 1 – Example Creek Catchment Plan
43
DRAFT
As shown in Figure 6, the urban residential areas have a medium to high density in the
vicinity of the Sigma highway and the Main Railway. This density decreases to standard
residential on the outskirts of Omega. Premises located within the industrial area include
motor repair and sheet metal workshops, small warehouses, building and landscaping
supplies and a petroleum depot.
A broad land use zoning map, also showing the local government area boundaries for the
catchment, is provided in Appendix 3.
2.3 Topography
The topography of the Example Creek catchment is gently undulating. Example Creek
has an average longitudinal grade of 1.5%, with Eastern and Western Creeks having
marginally steeper gradients of 1.5 and 1.8% respectively. Valley side slopes generally
range between 5% and 10%. In the northern portion of the catchment, slopes increase to
25%. Figure 7 indicates the coarse contours of the catchment.
2.4 Geology and Soils

The Example Creek catchment lies predominantly on shales and mudstones. The steeper
northern (forested) portion of the catchment is located on sandstone.
The catchment’s soil landscapes are indicated on Figure 4, which were obtained from
DLWC soils mapping. There are four main soil landscapes within the catchment, with
their characteristics summarised in Table 2. The majority of the catchment is located on
the Theta soil landscape, which predominates on the slopes of the valleys. The Kappa
landscape dominates on the crests of the ridges, with Epsilon being the dominant
landscape in the valley floors. The Lambda soil landscape occurs on the steeper slopes of
the sandstone hills in the northern area of the catchment.
Table 2 – Soil Landscape Characteristics
Soil Soil depth Erosion hazard Fertility

landscape Concentrated Non-concentrated
flows flows
Theta 50-150 cm Moderate Slight Moderate-low
Kappa 50-100 cm Moderate Slight Low
Epsilon > 150 cm Extreme High Moderate-high
Lambda 10-100 cm Extreme Moderate Low
Source: DLWC soil landscapes
2.5 Climate
Long term rainfall data was obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology for the Omega
rainfall station (station number 998877), which has records since 1889. Pan evaporation
data was also obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology from the nearest recording
station, being the Seagull Airport (station number 998899), where records commenced in
1954. The average monthly rainfall and evaporation data is presented in Table 3.
It can be seen from this data that the rainfall is distributed relatively evenly throughout
the year. Pan evaporation, however, shows a distinct summer peak and winter low.
During summer, the average evaporation rate is considerably higher than the average
rainfall.
44
DRAFT
Table 3 – Average Rainfall and Evaporation
Month Average Rainfall (mm) Average Pan Evaporation (mm)
January 85 151
February 72 148
March 70 85
April 65 40
May 55 38
June 52 35
July 50 30
August 56 34
September 63 37
October 75 42
November 75 75
December 92 122
Total 810 837
3 EXISTING CATCHMENT CONDITIONS
3.1 Hydrology
The DLWC have operated a stream gauging station at the Sigma Highway crossing of
Example Creek since 1967 (location shown on Figure 2). The average monthly flow is
presented in Table 4.
Table 4 – Average Streamflow at DLWC Monitoring Station
3
Month Average Flow (m /s) Average Monthly Runoff (mm)
January 8 8
February 5 5
March 8 8
April 10 10
May 15 15
June 18 18
July 18 18
August 18 18
September 17 17
October 16 16
November 15 15
December 12 12
Total 160 160
This table indicates that the monthly runoff peaks in spring, with a low in autumn. Due
to the high evaporation rates in summer, rainfall tends to be relatively ineffective in
generating runoff over this period. This may be significant in the design of stormwater
control measures, particularly constructed wetlands (eg species planted).
45
DRAFT
A flow duration curve for the DLWC monitoring station is presented in Figure 7. This
shows the percentage of time that any given rate of stream flow is equalled or exceeded at
that point in the catchment.
To estimate flows at other locations within the catchment, a computer model was
established (described in Appendix 4). Estimated flows for Example Creek at the Model
Estuary are presented in Table 4 for a range of average recurrence intervals (ARIs).
Table 5 – Estimated Flow Rates
3
Location Estimated flow for nominate ARI (m /s)
1 year 2 year 5 year 50 year 100 year

Model 2 4 6 8 9
Estuary
There have been numerous occurrences of flooding in the low-lying areas of Omega,
particularly in the vicinity of the Example and Eastern Creek’s confluence. The
investigation of flooding is beyond the scope of this Plan, and Beta Council is currently
undertaking a drainage study in this area. It is envisaged that the recommendations of
the Drainage Study will be integrated into the next version of this Stormwater
Management Plan.
3.2 Fluvial Geomorphology

The fluvial geomorphology of the Example Creek catchment is summarised in Figure 2.
The upper reaches of Example Creek are steep and deeply incised through the sandstone
bedrock, with no floodplain development. Sinuosity is low and these reaches act as a
sediment source zone. The middle reaches of this Creek have moderate sinuosity and the
main channel is moderately incised. These reaches are a sediment transport zone, with
temporary sediment deposition occurring in sand and gravel bars. Localised bank erosion
occurs on the outside of bends, particularly where riparian vegetation has been removed.
The lower reaches of Example Creek are a distinct sediment deposition zone. The main
channel is wide and shallow, with extensive floodplains and sediment deposition in the
main channel. Bank erosion occurs along the majority of this reach, with the most severe
erosion occurring on the outside of bends where riparian vegetation has been removed.
Model Estuary can be classified as a barrier estuary, using the classification scheme
developed by Roy (1984). Sand dunes occur across the estuary, with the estuary entrance
open to the sea during the autumn to spring period, with occasional entrance closures
occurring during summer. The entrance channel is relatively shallow. A sediment delta
occurs at the upstream end of the estuary due to the deposition of sediment from the
Example Creek catchment.
3.3 Water Quality

3.3.1 Ambient Water Quality
Ambient water quality monitoring has been undertaken at monthly intervals in Example
Creek at the Railway Bridge for the last 3 years. Monitoring over the same period has also
been undertaken in the Model Estuary. The results of the monitoring for total phosphorus
(TP), orthophosphate (PO4), total nitrogen (TN), nitrate (NOx) chlorophyll a (Chl a) and
46
DRAFT
faecal coliforms (FC) are presented in Table 6. The ambient water quality objectives
(WQO) for Example Creek and Model Estuary are also noted in Table 6.
More detailed ‘whisker’ plots of water quality at these two sites are provided in Appendix
5.
Table 6 – Ambient water quality data
th
Location 90 Percentile Ambient Concentrations (mg/L)
TP PO4 TN NO3 Chl a FC*

Example 0.08 0.8 690
Creek
WQO 0.05 0.5 150
Model Estuary 0.03 0.09 0.028 190

WQO 0.01 0.05 0.01 150
* cfu/100 mL
It can be seen that the water quality of Example Creek and Model Estuary fails to meet the
adopted WQOs.
3.3.2 Estimated Pollutant Loads
An estimate of the average annual pollutant loads from the Example Creek catchment to
the Model Estuary has been undertaken and is detailed in Appendix 7. Estimates of loads
have been made for TP, TN and suspended solids (SS) for both existing and pre-
development (ie forested) catchment conditions. The latter modelling was undertaken to
provide a frame of reference for the existing loads. There has been no continuous wet-
weather water quality monitoring undertaken in the catchment, and the model
parameters were derived from other catchments with similar land uses, as detailed in
Appendix 7. The estimated loads for the entire catchment are presented in Table 7.
Table 7 – Estimated Average Annual Pollutant Loads
Condition Pollutant loads (t/yr)

Total Phosphorus Total Nitrogen Suspended Solids
Existing 12 50 8,000
Pre-development 6 30 5,000
It can be seen from this table that the existing loads are considerably higher than the pre-
development loads.
3.4 Aquatic Habitat

The aquatic habitats in the upper reaches of Example Creek are a diverse mixture of pools
and riffles zones, containing extensive large organic matter. The substrate ranges from
coarse sand to cobbles. Through the middle reaches of the creek, the habitat becomes
more uniform, with moderately shallow pools and bars. The substrate is predominantly
coarse sand, with some large organic matter. In the lower reaches, the habitat is relatively
uniform, comprising shallow pools and sand bars. The substrate is sand and organic
47
DRAFT
matter is limited.
Within the Model Estuary, seagrass covers an area of 25 hectares.
3.5 Riparian and Foreshore Vegetation

Indigenous riparian vegetation occurs adjacent to the upper reaches of Example Creek. In
the middle reaches, riparian vegetation is not extensive and is composed of both
indigenous and exotic species. The lower reaches of this Creek also have limited riparian
and floodplain vegetation. This majority of this vegetation is exotic.
Mangroves in the vicinity of the Example Creek delta dominate the foreshore vegetation of
Model Estuary. Some mangroves also occur along the northern shore of the Estuary in the
Epsilon National Park, and isolated areas of the southern shore. Salt marshes are present
up-slope of the National Park’s mangroves.
4 CATCHMENT VALUES
A workshop was held on 1 October attended by representatives from all stakeholders
identified in section 1.3. The aim of the workshop was to identify and prioritise the
desired values that stakeholders placed on the waterways of the Example Creek
catchment. The notes from this workshop are contained in Appendix 8. These values are
summarised in Table 8.
5 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES
5.1 Ecologically Sustainable Development

Stormwater management in the Example Creek catchment is to be based on ecologically
sustainable development (ESD) principles. ESD requires the effective integration of
economic and environmental considerations in decision-making processes. ESD can be
achieved through the implementation of the following principles and programs:
(a) The precautionary principle – namely, that if there are threats of serious or
irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be
used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation.
(b) Inter-generational equity – namely, that the present generation should ensure that
the health, diversity and productivity of the environment is maintained or
enhanced for the benefit of future generations.
(c) Conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity.
(d) Improved valuation and pricing of environmental resources.
48
DRAFT
Table 8 – Desired Catchment Values
Catchment Value Value
Ecological:
• Maintenance and restoration of aquatic ecosystem of Model High
Estuary.
• Diversity of indigenous aquatic fauna and flora in the upper High
reaches of Example Creek
• Diversity of indigenous aquatic fauna and flora in the middle and Medium
lower reaches of Example Creek
• Diverse of indigenous aquatic fauna and flora in the middle and Low
lower reaches of Western Creek
• Retention of indigenous riparian vegetation along the upper High
reaches of Example Creek
• Retention and restoration of indigenous riparian vegetation along Medium
the middle and lower reaches of Example Creek
• Maintenance and restoration of indigenous foreshore vegetation High
around Model Estuary
• Protection of bushland in the Coastal National Park High
Social Values:
• Swimming and sailing on Model Estuary High
• Swimming in lower reaches of Example Creek Medium
• Swimming in middle and upper reaches of Example Creek Low
• Fishing in Model Estuary and lower reaches of Example Creek High
• Visual amenity of Model Estuary High
• Visual amenity of Example Creek High
Economic values:
• commercial prawn fishing in Model Estuary High
• commercial oyster farming in Model Estuary High
• property values adjacent to Model Estuary and Example Creek Medium
• withdrawals from Example Creek for watering of Omega Golf Medium
Course
5.2 Management Objectives

Management objectives have been developed to protect the ‘high priority’ catchment
values of the stormwater system and its catchment. These include both ‘long-term’
commitments to principle (a ‘vision’ for the catchment) and ‘short-term’, quantifiable
objectives help form the basis of actions to be incorporated into this Plan.
The manner in which the stormwater management objectives have been derived from the
high-priority values is illustrated in Figure 8.
It is envisaged that the short term management objectives may evolve as new information
and understanding of the catchment and its processes is achieved.
Figure 8 Linking Stormwater Management Objectives to Catchment Values
49
DRAFT
Catchment Values Stormwater Management Objectives
Ecological values Long - Term Short - Term

Water Quality Model Estuary Ambient concentration of
Maintenance and meets requirements for nitrogen and phosphorus within
restoration of Model protection of aquatic and downstream of urban areas,
estuary aquatic ecosystem including Example Creek and
ecosystem Model Estuary, reduced by 30 %
Catchment watercourses in a Bank erosion in Example Creek

state of dynamic equilibrium will be addressed in a manner
from fluvial geomorphological which restores a state of dynamic
perspective equilibrium to the system.
Diversity of indigenous
aquatic fauna and flora in Physical habitats for aquatic The physical habitat value of
the upper reaches of fauna within catchment Example Creek for aquatic fauna
Example Creek. waterways are to be protected is to be restored.
and restored as appropriate
Maintenance and Indigenous riparian, foreshore The riparian vegetation along that
restoration of indigenous and floodplain vegetation reach of Example Creek within
foreshore vegetation protected and restored as the urban area is to be restored
around Model Estuary appropriate with indigenous species
Protection of bushland in Impact of urban stormwater Urban stormwater entering

the Epsilon National on weed propagation and Epsilon National Park will be
Park growth in bland, particularly managed in a manner which
Epsilon National Park, to be minimises weed propagation and
minimised growth
Any negative impacts of Public safety to be considered in

Social Values stormwater on public health the design of all structural
or safety are to be minimised stormwater management works
Stormwater channels
and structures are to be
safe
Fishing in Model Estuary Water quality meets the The waters of Model estuary are
and lower reaches of requirements for primary and to be safe for primary contact
Example Creek. secondary contact recreation recreation at least 90 % of time
Impact of new urban Impact of new devts on water

developments on catchment quality is to be controlled, at least
values, and the achievement of to the levels listed in Table 9..
Swimming in and sailing the management objectives is Frequency of 1.5 Year ARI Flow
on Model Estuary to be minimised events not increased due to devt
Visual amenity of Model Visual amenity of waterways No significant litter will be visible
Estuary is to be maximised in streams within / downstream
of urban area following storms up
Visual amenity of to 0.25 of 1 year ARI
Example Creek
Economic values Water quality meets Ambient concentration of faecal

requirements for safe coliforms in Model Estuary
Commercial oyster
consumption of fish, reduced by 30 %.
farming and prawn
crustaceans and shellfish.
fishing in Model Estuary
Table 9 – Stormwater Treatment Objectives for New Urban Areas
50
DRAFT
Pollutant: ESD Treatment Objective:
Post construction phase:

Suspended solids (SS) 80% retention of the average annual load
Total phosphorus (TP) 45% retention of the average annual load
Total nitrogen (TN) 45% retention of the average annual load
Litter Retention of litter greater than 50 mm for flows up to
25% of the 1 year ARI peak flow
Coarse sediment Retention of sediment coarser than 0.125 mm* for
flows up to 25% of the 1 year ARI peak flow
Oil and grease In areas with concentrated hydrocarbon deposition,
(hydrocarbons) no visible oils for flows up to 25% of the 1 year ARI
peak flow
Construction phase:
Suspended solids Effective treatment of 90% of daily runoff events (eg
<4 months ARI). Effective treatment equates to a
50%ile SS concentration of 50 mg/L.
Other pollutants Limit the application, generation and migration of
toxic substances to the maximum extent practicable
* based on idealised settling characteristics
6 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ISSUES

This step of the plan preparation process involved identifying the factors that currently
prevent, or may prevent, the adopted management objectives from being satisfied. These
problems or issues were environmental, social and managerial.
These issues have been identified by a combination of:

• desk-top study, involving a review of existing information contained in reports, studies
and monitoring programs.
• field work, involving an inspection of the catchment and the undertaking of a ‘first-
order’ (approximate) a catchment audit; and
• discussions, involving interviewing community representatives, council staff and staff
from relevant State Government Agencies, which can obtain information on all types
of issues.
Table 10 identifies a series of stormwater management issues, and nominates possible

causes of these problems.
7. IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

A broad range of structural and non-structural practices is available to address identified
stormwater management issues. Table 10 provides a list of potential practices which have
been identified for as potential options to address the identified stormwater management
issues for the Example Creek catchment (which have, as previously noted, been derived
from the stormwater management objectives and catchment values.
51
DRAFT
Table 10(a). Stormwater Management Issues & Options, and Potential Management
Options
1 2
Issue / Cause Potential Management Option Ranking
• Residents’ education campaign in relation to 12

A. Elevated nutrient levels, and fertiliser use and car washing
consequent algal blooms in • Review fertiliser use by Councils on public parks, 4
Example Creek and Model sporting ovals etc.
Estuary, possibly due to:- • Encourage low-maintenance garden plants 21
• Install constructed wetland to Site 1 10
• Excessive fertiliser treat urban runoff at Site 2 5
application following potential sites (as Site 3 30
• Car washing in streets shown in Figure *) Site 4 31
• Impact of toxicants on algal
grazers Site 5 38
Site 6 40
B. Elevated suspended solids and • Educational and regulatory campaign aimed at 1

turbidity levels in Example erosion and sediment control at building sites
Creek, possible due to:- • Require Erosion and Sediment Control Plans for 8
new developments, and compliance therewith as a
• Poor erosion and sediment BA / DA condition of consent
controls at devt. Sites • Education campaign on washing cars in streets 14
• Channel erosion
• Car washing in streets • Install constructed wetland to Site 1 As above
treat urban runoff at Site 2 As above
following potential sites (as Site 3 As above
shown in Figure *)
Site 4 As above
Site 5 As above
Site 6 As above
C. Litter in watercourses, • Install more rubbish bins in problem areas 15

possibly due to :- • Increase frequency of emptying of bins in problem 32
areas
• Insufficient rubbish bins • Install litter baskets in High risk 7
• Rubbish bins not emptied stormwater pits servicing Medium risk 29
regularly areas marked in Figure # as: Low Risk 34
• Littering in commercial, • Undertake local education program on littering 33
retail areas
• Littering from motor • Install litter racks at Site 7 16
vehicles Locations marked in Figure
Site 8 35
& as:-
D. Erosion of Example • Encourage installation of rainwater tanks at new 18

Creek downstream of and and existing developments
within Omega urban area, • Install retarding basins at Site 3 3
Sites marked on Figure $ as:
probably due to:- Site 5 17
• Replanting of riparian Eastern Reach 1 23
• Removal of riparian vegetation, progressively Western Reach 1 13
vegetation along reaches of Example
• Increased flood flows from Example Reach 1 19
Creek and tributaries
urban areas Example Reach 2 20
marked on Figure % as:
Example Reach 3 36
1. Issues linked to catchment values and stormwater management objectives, listed in Table 5.
2. Rankings derived used methodology and calculations contained in Appendix D.
Table 10(b) . Stormwater Management Issues and Options, and Potential Management
52
DRAFT
Options.
Issue / Cause Potential Management Option Ranking
E. Degraded aquatic habitats • Preserve existing habitats 6

within Example Creek, possibly
due to:- • Reconstruct in-stream Example Reach 1 25
• Physical alteration to physical habitats suitable
habitats for aquatic fauna within Example Reach 2 26
• Increased flood flows from those stream reaches
urban areas marked on Figure % as:
• Increased sediment Eastern Reach 1 37
deposition
• Removal of riparian
vegetation Western Reach 1 34
• See also Issue A (previous page)
• See also Issue D (previous page)
F. Low public value placed in • Develop ‘exhibition reach’ of drainage system where 22
urban stormwater system, water sensitive urban design principles can be
probably due to:- adopted.
• Construct access / bicycle paths along drainage 24
• Poor current condition of elements
system. • Construct signs and other public information 27
• Public not aware of educating the public in relation to potential values of
potential benefits of stormwater drainage system.
properly designed and • See also Options listed under Issues A, B, C, D and E. As above
maintained system
G. Weed growth along gullies in • Treat runoff before it flows into Epsilon National Park 2
Epsilon National Park which
receive runoff from urban areas,
due to:
• Elevated nutrient levels in • Divert urban stormwater flows entering Epsilon 28
runoff and soils National Park to ‘established’ flow paths rather than
• Drainage now enters sites dry gullies
which did not receive
concentrated flows prior to
urban development • Remove existing weeds and plant indigenous species 32
• Increased frequency of once upstream treatments in place
flows
H. Intermittently high levels of • Public education campaign on collection of dog faeces 9

faecal bacteria within Example
Creek and Model Estuary,
particularly (but not always) • Undertake monitoring program to identify and 11
following storm events, possibly source and high bacterial levels
due to:
• Contaminated runoff from • Install constructed wetland to Site 1 As above
urban area (dog faeces etc.) treat urban runoff at following
Site 2 As above
• Sewer overflows potential sites (as shown in
• Illegal discharge of septic Figure *) Site 3 As above
waste Site 4 As above
Site 5 As above
1. Issues linked to catchment values and stormwater management objectives, listed in Table 5.
2. Rankings derived used methodology and calculations contained in Appendix D.
8. EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

8.1 Methodology
53
DRAFT
The methodology outlined in the EPA’s Managing Urban Stormwater: Council Handbook has
been adopted for the assessment and evaluation of the various management options listed
in Table 10.
8.2 Evaluation and Ranking of Potential Management Options

Table 10 lists the ranking of potential management options derived by the EPA’s suggested
methodology for the Example Creek catchment.
9. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
Implementation strategies for the implementation of the higher priority management
options is outlined in Tables 11 and 12 for Alpha and Beta Councils respectively. These
Tables prioritise specific management actions to be implemented by each stormwater
manager in the catchment, and provides a tentative timeframe for their implementation.
Programs which are proposed to be undertaken jointly by the two Councils (eg public
education programs) are italicised in Tables 11 and 12.
10. MONITORING
Alpha and Beta Councils are committed to continuing the existing routine water quality
monitoring programs are Example Creek and Model Estuary respectively. These
programs are generally designed and undertaken in accordance with the principles
outlined in the EPA’s Managing Urban Stormwater: Council Handbook document. In
addition, Beta Council will undertake an assessment of sediment quality, and associated
toxicity impacts in the Model estuary.
11. REPORTING
The results of these environmental monitoring programs will be reported in Councils’
State of the Environment Reports. In addition, this information will be a valuable input
into the refinement of this Stormwater Management Plan in future years.
12. REVISION
This plan will be reviewed in 3 years. This review will involve assessing whether the short
term management objectives have been satisfied and if additional management options
need to be developed. The tentative implementation strategy will provide an input into
the management planning process of both councils in future years.
12. CONCLUSIONS
The stormwater management plan for the Example Creek catchment provides an intergraded
scheme for the ecologically sustainable and cost-effective management of stormwater within the
catchment.
54
DRAFT
Table 11. Stormwater Management Implementation Strategy – Alpha Council
Financial Year & Expenditure

Action Rank
1998-99 1999-00 2000-01
Capital Maint. Capital Maint. Capital Maint.

Undertake educational and regulatory campaign aimed at erosion and 1 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 -
sediment control at building sites
Review fertiliser use by Councils on public parks, sporting ovals. 4 5,000 - - - - -
Construct stormwater treatment wetland at Site 2 5 - - 10,000 - 115,000 5,000
Install litter baskets in stormwater pits servicing ‘high risk’ areas 7 50,000 10,000 - 10,000 - 10,000
Require Erosion and Sediment Control Plans for new devts 8 10,000 - 2,000 - 2,000 -
Undertake public education campaign on cleaning up after dogs 9 - - 8,000 - - -
Undertake education campaign re. fertiliser use and car washing 12 12,500 - - - - -
Replant riparian vegetation along Reach 1 of Western Ck. 13 - - 20,000 - - 5,000
Install additional rubbish bins in problem commercial areas 15 10,000 2,000 10,000 3,000
Install litter rack at Site 7 16 45,000 - - 4,000 - 4,000
Encourage installation of rainwater tanks at new & existing devts 18 4,000 - - - - -
Reconstruct aquatic fauna habitat along Reach 1 of Example Ck. 19 - - 5,000 - 30,000 -
Total Cost 142,500 12,000 60,000 17,000 152,000 24,000
Actions which may be undertaken jointly by Alpha and Beta Councils are italicised
55
DRAFT
Table 12. Stormwater Management Implementation Strategy – Beta Council
Financial Year & Expenditure

Action Rank
1998-99 1999-00 2000-01
Capital Maint. Capital Maint. Capital Maint.

Undertake educational and regulatory campaign aimed at erosion and 1 5,000 - 5,000 - 5,000 -
sediment control at building sites
Treat urban stormwater before it flows into Epsilon National Park 2 15,000 - 15,000 5,000 15,000 5,000
Install flow retarding basin at Site 3 3 10,000 - 110,000 - 20,000 5,000
Review fertiliser use by Councils on public parks, sporting ovals. 4 5,000 - - - - -
Preserve existing habitats when considering new devt proposals 6 10,000 - - - - -
Install litter baskets in stormwater pits servicing ‘high risk’ areas 7 50,000 10,000 - 10,000 - 10,000
Require Erosion and Sediment Control Plans for new devts 8 10,000 - 2,000 - 2,000 -
Undertake public education campaign on cleaning up after dogs 9 - - 8,000 - - -
Construct stormwater treatment wetland at Site 1 10 15,000 - 120.000 - - 5,000
Undertake education campaign re. fertiliser use and car washing 12 12,500 - - - - -
Install additional rubbish bins in problem commercial areas 15 10,000 2,000 10,000 3,000
Install flow retarding basin at Site 5 17 - - 20,000 - 119,000 4,000
Encourage installation of rainwater tanks at new & existing devts 18 4,000 - - - - -
Reconstruct aquatic fauna habitat along Reach 2 of Example Ck. 20 - - 5,000 - 30,000 -
Total Cost 146,500 12,000 295,000 18,000 191,000 29,000
Actions which may be undertaken jointly by Alpha and Beta Councils are italicised
56
DRAFT
REFERENCES
57
DRAFT
58
DRAFT
REFERENCES
Adam P, 1990. Saltmarsh Ecology, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand and
Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council, 1996. Draft
Guidelines for Urban Stormwater Management.
Allan JD, 1995. Stream Ecology - Structure and Function of Running Waters, Chapman and
Hall, London.
Allen M and Argue J, 1995. Disposal of Stormwater by Infiltration: The Pro∋s and Con∋s,
proceedings of an Institution of Engineers Australian and Stormwater Industry
Association seminar Stormwater Towards the Year 2000.
American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, Water

Environment Federation, 1995. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Wastewater, 19th edition.
American Society of Civil Engineers and Water Environment Federation, 1993. Design and
Construction of Urban Stormwater Management Systems, ASCE Manuals and Reports of
Engineering Practice N1 77, WEF Manual of Practice, FFD-20.
Angus D, Fox A, Lysaght M and Mackay S, 1993. Stormwater Monitoring Project Inception
Report, AWT Science and Environment report No 93/8, prepared for Clean Waterways
Program, Sydney Water Board.
Arthington AH and Pusey BJ, 1994. Essential Flow Requirements for River Fish
Communities, proceedings, Environmental Flows Seminar, Australian Water and
Wastewater Association Seminar, Canberra.
Arthington AH, Bunn S and Caterall C, 1993. The Ecological roles of Riparian Vegetation,
in Woodfull J, Finlayson B and McMahon T (eds) The Role of Buffer Strips in the
Management of Waterway Pollution from Diffuse Urban and Rural Sources, proceedings of a
workshop held at the University of Melbourne.
Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council, 1996. Draft
Guidelines for Urban Stormwater Management
Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council, 1992. Australian
Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters.
AWT Ensight 1996. Stormwater Monitoring Project Annual Report, prepared for Sydney
Water, AWT Report No 96/61.
Baker VR, 1977. >Stream Channel Response to Floods, with Examples from Central
Texas=, Geological Society of America Bulletin, 88: pp. 1057Β 1071.
Barling R and Moore I, 1993. The Role of Buffer Strips in the Management of Waterway
Pollution, in Woodfull J, Finlayson B and McMahon T (eds) The Role of Buffer Strips in the
Management of Waterway Pollution from Diffuse Urban and Rural Sources, proceedings of a
workshop held at the University of Melbourne.
Bayley PB and Osborne LL, 1993. Natural Rehabilitation of Stream Populations in an
59
DRAFT
Illinois Catchment, Freshwater Biology, 29: 295-300.
Bedient PB, Lambert JL and Springer NK, 1980. >Stormwater Pollutant Load-Runoff
Relationships, Journal of the Water Pollution Control Federation, 52(9): 2396-2404.
Bliss PJ, Riley SJ and Adamson D, 1983. Towards rational guidelines for urban stormwater
disposal into flora preservation areas, Shire and Municipal Record, July.
Booth DB and Jackson CR, 1994. Urbanisation of Aquatic Ecosystems - Degradation

Thresholds and the Limits of Mitigation, Effects of Human Induced Changes on Hydrologic
Systems, American Water Resources Association.
Borchardt D, 1993. Effects of Flow and Refugia on Drift Loss of Benthic

Macroinvertebrates: Implications for Habitat Restoration in Lowland Streams, Freshwater
Biology, 29: 221-227.
Buckney RT, 1995. Riparian Vegetation and the Water Environment, in: Sharpin MG (ed)
Environmental Aspects of Urban Drainage, proceedings of a Stormwater Industry
Association Seminar, Sydney.
Bunn SE, Pusey BJ and Price P (eds), 1993. Ecology and Management of Riparian Zones in
Australia, LWRRDC Occasional Paper No. 05/93.
Burchmore JJ (ed), 1993. Freshwater Habitat Management Guidelines, NSW Fisheries, 1993
edition.
Burchmore JJ, 1992. Management of the Estuarine Habitats, in Hancock D A (ed.

Sustainable Fisheries through Sustaining Fish Habitat, Australian Society for Fish Biology
Workshop, Victor Harbour, SA, August.
Calow P and Petts GE, 1992. The Rivers Handbook: Hydrological and Ecological Principles,
Blackwell Scientific Publications, London.
Camp Dresser & McKees, 1993. California Storm Water Best Management Practice
Handbooks: Municipal, prepared for California Stormwater Quality Task Force.
Chapman D (ed), 1996. Water Quality Assessments, E & FN Spon, London.
Chessman BC, 1995. >Rapid Assessment of Rivers using Macroinvertebrates: A Procedure

Based on Habitat Specific Sampling, Family Level Identification and a Biotic Index=,
Australian Journal of Ecology, 20: 122-129.
Codner GP, Laurenson EM and Mein R., 1988. Hydrologic Effects of Urbanisation: A Case
Study, preprints, Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium, Canberra, Institution of
Engineers, Aust.
Cogger HG, 1992. Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, 5th edition, Reed Books, Sydney.
Construction Industry Research and Information Association, 1992. Scope for Control of
Urban Runoff, London.
Cullen P, 1986. ‘Transport of Nutrients by Particulate Matter’, in Hart BT (ed) The Role of
Particulate Matter in the Transport and Fate of Pollutants, Chisholm Institute of Technology.
Cullen P, 1991. Regional Catchment Management and Receiving Water Quality: The Monkey
60
DRAFT
Creek Project, Final report to Land and Water Resources Research and Development
Corporation by Water research Centre, University of Canberra.
Davies PE, 1994. National River Processes and Management Program: National River Health
Initiative: River Bioassessment Manual, LWRRDC, Canberra.
Department of Conservation and Environment, 1990. Environmental Guidelines for River

Management Works, Melbourne, Victoria.
Department of Planning, 1992. Outdoor Recreation and Open Space: Planning Guidelines for
Local Government.
Department of Planning, 1993. Better Drainage, Guidelines for the Multiple Use of
Drainage Systems
Duncan H, 1995. A Review of Urban Stormwater Quality Processes, Cooperative Research

Centre for Catchment Hydrology.
Dunne T, Moore TR and Taylor GH, 1975. >Recognition and Prediction of Runoff-
Producing Zones in Humid Regions=, Hydrological Sciences Bulletin, 20(3): pp. 305Β 327.
Environment Protection Authority, 1994. Using Biological Indicators to Monitor the Health of
Freshwater Ecosystems, Technical Report.
Environment Protection Authority, 1995. Managing Urban Stormwater: Treatment

Techniques, prepared for the State Stormwater Coordinating Committee.
Environment Protection Authority, 1995. Provisional Water Quality Investigations Manual:

Preferred Methods for Sampling and Analysis, Technical Report.
Environment Protection Authority, Victoria, 1995. A Guide to the Sampling and Analysis of
water and Wastewater.
Environment Protection Authority, Victoria, 1996. Environmental Guidelines for Major

Construction Sites.
Ferguson C, Long J, Simeoni M, 1995. Stormwater Monitoring Program 1994 Annual Report,
AWT EnSight report No 95/49 to Sydney Water Corporation.
Ferguson BK, 1991. >Urban Stream Reclamation=, Journal of Soil and Water Conservation,
Sept/Oct, pp. 324Β 328.
Ferguson, B.K. (1994) Stormwater Infiltration, Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton
Finlayson B L and McMahon T A, 1991. Runoff variability in Australia: Causes and

Environmental Consequences, preprints, International Hydrology and Water Resources
Symposium, Perth, IEAust Nat Conf Publn 91/4.
Frith HJ, 1977. Readers Digest Book of Australian Birds, Readers Digest, Sydney.
Frith HJ, 1982. Waterfowl of Australia, Angus and Robertson.
Fulton W, 1992. Maintaining Freshwater Fish Habitat, in Hancock DA (ed) Sustainable

Fisheries through Sustaining Fish Habitat, Australian Society for Fish Biology Workshop,
Victor Harbour, SA, August.
61
DRAFT
Galli J, 1992. Analysis of Urban BMP Longevity in Prince Georges County, Metropolitan
Washington Council of Governments.
Garie HL and McIntosh A, 1986. Distribution of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in a Stream

Exposed to Urban Runoff, Water Resources Bulletin, 22(3): 447-455.
Gore JA , Bryant, FL and Crawford, DJ, 1995. River and Stream Restoration, in Cairns, J
(ed): Rehabilitating Damaged Ecosystems, Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, Florida.
Gore JA, 1985. Mechanisms of Colonisation and Habitat Enhancement for Benthic
Macroinvertebrates in Restored River Channels, in Gore JA (ed): The Restoration of Rivers
and Streams: Theories and Experience, Butterworths, Boston.
Gutteridge Haskins and Davey Pty Ltd, 1994. Lady Carrington Estate, Helensburgh:
Supplementary Submission on Stormwater Issues to Helensburgh Commission of Inquiry, report
to Walker Corporation.
Hader, W, 1994. Managing Urban Streams - Important Natural Ecosystems or Drains?,

proceedings, 2nd Annual Soil and Water Management Conference, Sydney.
Hammer, TR 1972. Stream Channel Enlargement due to Urbanisation, Water Resources

Research, 8(6):1530-1540.
Harden GJ (ed), 1993. Flora of New South Wales, New South Wales University Press,
Sydney.
Harper HH, Fries BM, Baker DM and Wanielsta MP, 1986. Stormwater Treatment by
Natural Systems, Department of Civil and Environmental Sciences, University of Central
Florida.
Hellawell JM, 1986. Biological Indicators of Freshwater Pollution and Environmental

Management, Elsevier Applied Science Publishers, London.
Hogg, ID and Norris, RH, 1991. Effects of Runoff from Land Clearing and Urban
Development on the Distribution and Abundance of Macroinvertebrates in Pool Areas of
a River, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 42, 507-518.
Hutchings PA and Saenger P, 1987. The Ecology of Mangroves, University of Queensland

Press, St Lucia, Qld.
International Chamber of Commerce 1986. ICC Position Paper on Environmental

Auditing, Paris.
Joliffe I B, 1995. The Hydrological Cycle in Urban Drainage, in: Sharpin MG (ed)
Kachka AK, Mackay SM and Simeoni MA, 1994. >Sampling Methodology for the
Assessment of Nutrient and Bacterial Loads in Stormwater=, proceedings, Water Down
Under >94, Institution of Engineers Australia, National Conference Publication No
94/115.
Karouna N, 1992. Techniques for Restoring Urban Streams: Streambank Stabilisation and
Aquatic Habitat Improvement, Watershed Restoration Source Book, Metropolitan
Washington Council of Governments, Washington DC.
62
DRAFT
Knighton D, 1984. Fluvial Forms and Processes, Edward Arnold, London.
Koehn JD and O=Connor WG, 1990. Biological Information for Management of Native
Freshwater Fish in Victoria, Department of Conservation and Environment, Victoria,
Victorian Government Printing Office, Melbourne.
Koehn JD, 1992. Freshwater Fish Habitats: Key Factors and Methods to Determine Them,
in Hancock D A (ed. Sustainable Fisheries through Sustaining Fish Habitat, Australian
Society for Fish Biology Workshop, Victor Harbour, SA, August.
Kondolf GM, Webb, JW, Sale MJ and Felando T, 1987. Basic Hydrological Studies for
Assessing Impacts of Flow Diversion on Riparian Vegetation: Examples for Streams of the
Eastern Sierra Nevada, California, USA, Environmental Management, 11(6): 757-769.
Kondolf, GM and Micheli ER, 1995. Evaluating Stream Restoration Projects, Environmental
Management, 19(1): 1-15.
Kramer KJM (ed), 1993. Biomonitoring of Coastal Waters and Estuaries, CRC Press, Boca
Raton, Florida.
Lake P S, Barmuta L A, Boulton A J, Campbell, I C and St Clair R M, 1986. Australian

streams and Northern Hemisphere Ecology: comparisons and problems, Proceedings
Ecology Society of Australia, 14:61-82.
Lawrence AI 1996, ‘Urban Stormwater Modelling: An Ecological Perspective’,

th
proceedings, 7 International Conference on Urban Storm Drainage, Hanover
Lawrence AI and Baldwin S 1996, ‘Development of an Urban Pond Water Quality

Model’, proceedings, 7th International Conference on Urban Storm Drainage, Hanover
Lawrence I, 1995. Stormwater Management Criteria, in: Sharpin MG (ed) Environmental

Aspects of Urban Drainage, proceedings of a Stormwater Industry Association Seminar,
Sydney.
Lawrence AI, 1996. >Urban Stormwater Modelling: an Ecological Perspective,

proceedings, 7th International Conference on Urban Storm Drainage, Hanover.
Lenat DR and Crawford JK, 1994. Effects of Land Use on Water Quality and Aquatic
Biota of Three North Carolina Piedmont Streams, Hydrobiologia, 294: 185-199.
Lewis G and Williams G, 1984. Rivers and Wildlife Handbook: A Guide to Practices Which
Further the Conservation of Wildlife on Rivers, Royal Society for the Protection of
Birds/Royal Society for Nature Conservation, UK.
Likens GE and Bormann FH, 1995. Biogeochemistry of a Forested Ecosystem, 2nd edition,
Springer Verlag, New York.
Livingston E H, Wanielista M P and Bradner J N, 1994. Stormwater reuse: an added

benefit of wet ponds, proceedings, 2nd Annual Soil and Water Management Conference,
Sydney.
Livingston E, 1994. Water Quality Considerations in the Design of Wet Detention Basins and
Wetland Stormwater Management Systems, IECA Seminar, Liverpool.
Manahan SE 1991, Environmental Chemistry, Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, Florida
63
DRAFT
Mann R and Hammerschmid K, 1989. Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Urban
Runoff from Two Catchments in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Basin, proceedings, AWWA
13th Federal Convention, Sydney.
Marchant S and Higgins PJ, 1991. The Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic
Birds, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Marshall Macklin Monaghan Ltd, 1994. Stormwater Management Practices Planning and
Design Manual, prepared for Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy, Canada.
Mason CF, 1991. Biology of Freshwater Pollution, Second Edition, Longman Scientific and
Technical, Essex, UK.
Maxted J and Shaver E, 1996. ‘Stormwater Impacts on Aquatic Life and the Use of
th
Retention Ponds for Mitigation’, proceedings, 4 Annual Soil and Water Management for
Urban Development Conference, Sydney.
McCuen R H, Moglen G E, Kistler E W and Simpson P C, 1987. Policy Guidelines for

Controlling Stream Channel Erosion with Detention Basins, Department of Civil Engineering,
University of Maryland.
McDowall RM (ed), 1996. Freshwater Fishes of South Eastern Australia, Reed Books, Sydney.
Morisey D, 1995. Estuaries, in Underwood AJ and Chapman MG (ed) 1995. Coastal

Marine Ecology of Temperate Australia, UNSW Press, Sydney.
Morison AJ and Williams WD, 1995. Urban Drainage and Aquatic Ecology, in Sharpin
MG (ed) Environmental Aspects of Urban Drainage, proceedings of a Stormwater Industry
Morison AJ and Williams WD, 1995. Urban Drainage and Aquatic Ecology, in: Sharpin
MG (ed) Environmental Aspects of Urban Drainage, proceedings of a Stormwater Industry
Morris AW, 1984. >Estuarine Chemistry and General Survey Strategy=, in Head PC (ed)
Practical Estuarine Chemistry: A Handbook, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Moss B, 1988. Ecology of Fresh Waters: Man and Medium, Second edition, Blackwell
Scientific, Oxford.
Muhar S, Schmutz S and Jungwirth M, 1995. River Restoration Concepts - Goals and
Perspectives, Hydrobiologia, 308: 183-194.
Naiman RJ, Decamps H and Pollock, M, 1993. The Role of Corridors in Maintaining
Regional Biodiversity, Ecological Applications, 3(2): 209-212.
National Capital Planning Authority, 1993. Designing Subdivisions to Save and Manage
Water, Building Better Cities Program Occasional Paper Series 1, Paper 3.
Newbury R and Gaboury M, 1993. Exploration and Rehabilitation of Hydraulic Habitats

in Streams Using Principles of Fluvial Behaviour, Freshwater Biology, 29: 195-210.
Newbury R and Gaboury M, 1993. Stream Analysis and Stream Habitat Design: A Field
Manual, Newbury Hydraulics, Gibsons, BC, Canada.
64
DRAFT
Newbury R and Gaboury M, 1993a. Stream Analysis and Fish Habitat Design, A Field
Manual, Newbury Hydraulics Ltd, Gibsons, British Columbia, Canada.
NSW Government 1986 Floodplain Development Manual
Onkaparinka Estuary Task Force 1991
Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources,
1993. Subwatershed Planning, Toronto.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1994. Natural Channel Systems: An Approach to

Management and Design, Toronto.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1994b. Fish Habitat Protection Guidelines for
Developing Areas, Toronto.
O=Loughlin EM, Young WJ and Molloy JD, 1992. Urban Stormwater: Impacts on the
Environment. CSIRO Division of Water Resources Consultancy Report 92/29.
O=Loughlin GG and Goyen AG, 1995. >Modelling of Stormwater Drainage Systems=, in

Sharpin MG (ed) Environmental Aspects of Urban Drainage, proceedings of a Stormwater
Industry Association Seminar, Sydney.
Pickup G and Warner RF, 1976. >Effects of Hydrologic Regime on Magnitude and
Frequency of Dominant Discharge=, Journal of Hydrology, 29: pp. 51Β 75.
Pollard DA, 1994a. >Opening Regimes and Salinity Characteristics of Intermittently

Opening and Permanently Open Coastal Lagoons on the South Coast of New South
Wales=, Wetlands (Australia), 13: pp. 13Β 35
Pollard DA, 1994b. A Comparison of Fish Assemblages and Fisheries in Intermittently

Opening and Permanently Open Coastal Lagoons on the South Coast of New South
Wales, South-Eastern Australia, Estuaries, 17(3): pp. 631Β 646.
Prych EA and Ebbert JC, 1987. Effects of Street Seeping on Runoff Quality, proceedings,
Fourth International Conference on Urban Storm Drainage, Laussane, Switzerland.
Rabeni CF and Jacobson RB, 1993. The Importance of Fluvial Hydraulics to Fish Habitat
Restoration in Low Gradient Alluvial Streams, Freshwater Biology, 29: 211-220.
Raine AW and Gardiner JN, 1995. Rivercare: Guidelines for the Ecologically Sustainable
Management of Rivers and Riparian Vegetation, Land and Water Resources Research and
Development Corporation Occasional Paper No 03/95.
Richards C, Host GE and Arthur JW, 1993. Identification of Prominent Environmental

factors Structuring Stream Macroinvertebrate Communities within a Large Agricultural
Catchment, Freshwater Biology, 29: 285-294.
Riley S J, 1995. Fluvial Geomorphology and Urban Drainage Systems, in: Sharpin MG (ed)
Rosenberg DM and Resh VH (eds), 1993. Freshwater Biomonitoring and Benthic

Macroinvertebrates, Chapman and Hall, New York.
65
DRAFT
Roy PS, 1984. >New South Wales Estuaries: Their Origin and Evolution=, in Thom BG (ed)
Coastal Geomorphology in Australia, Academic Press, Sydney.
Rutherford ID and Ducatel LR, 1994. Impact of Urbanisation on Natural Streams, Water,
21(2): 12-16.
Sainty GR and Jacobs S, 1994. Waterplants in Australia, Sainty and Associates, Sydney.
Scarsbrook, MR and Townsend CR, 1993. Stream Community Structure in relation to

Spatial and Temporal Variation: A Habitat Template Study of Two Contrasting New
Zealand Streams, Freshwater Biology, 29:395-410.
Schoof R, 1980. Environmental Impact of Channel Modification, Water Resources Bulletin,

16(4): 697-701.
Schueler TR & Helfrich N 1989, ‘Design of Extended Detention Wet Pond Systems’, in
Roesener LA, Urbonas B and Sonnen MB (eds) Design of Urban Runoff Quality Controls,
ASCE, New York
Schueler TR and Galli J, 1995. The Environmental Impacts of Stormwater Ponds, in:
Herricks EE (ed) Stormwater Runoff and Receiving Systems: Impact Monitoring and
Assessment, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida
Schueler TR, 1987. Controlling Urban Runoff: A Practical Manual for Planning and Designing
Urban Best Management Practices, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments,
Washington DC.
Schumm SA, 1977. The Fluvial System, Wiley, New York.
Sharpin MG, 1992. >Non-Point Source Nutrients in the Canberra Region=, proceedings,
Environmental Engineering Conference, Gold Coast, Institution of Engineers, Australia.
Sharpin MG, 1994. Stormwater Issues in Total Water Cycle Management, proceedings,
Engineering for Better Value, Institute of Municipal Engineering Australia, Queensland
Division Annual Conference, Townsville.
Sharpin MG, 1995. Stormwater Quality and Urbanisation, in: Sharpin MG (ed)
Sharpin MG, 1995. Stormwater Quality Characteristics from Urban and Non-urban
Catchments in South-eastern Australia, proceedings, AWWA 16th Federal Convention,
Sydney.
Sharpin MG, 1995a. Suspended Sediment Characteristics in the Canberra Region,

proceedings, Second International Conference on Urban Stormwater Management, Melbourne,
IEAust Nat Conf Publn No 95/3.
Sharpin MG, 1995c. >Suspended Sediment Characteristics in the Canberra Region=,

proceedings, Second International Conference on Urban Stormwater Management, Melbourne,
IEAust Nat Conf Publn No. 95/3.
Sharpin MG and Morison AJ, 1995. Environmental Impacts of Stormwater Treatment

Measures, proceedings, AWWA 16th Federal Convention, Sydney.
66
DRAFT
Shaver E (ed) 1996. Effects of Watershed Development and Management on Aquatic
Ecosystems, Engineering Foundation Conference, Utah, USA
Shields FD, Knight SS and Cooper CM, 1994. Effects of Channel Incision on Base Flow
Stream Habitats and Fishes, Environmental Management, 18(1): 43-57.
Shrubsole, D (ed) 1994. >Natural= Channel Design: Perspectives and Practice, Canadian
Water Resources Association.
Simeoni M, Hickey C, Gillespie L, Kachka A, Vorreiter L, 1994. Stormwater Monitoring

Project 1993 Annual report, AWT Ensight report No 94/93 prepared for the Water Board.
Sinclair Knight Merz Pty Ltd 1996, Pollutant Retention Curves for a Constructed Stormwater
Wetland: Mt Annan, report to Environment Protection Authority, Sydney
Sivakumar M, Chowdhury RN and Ellis J, 1992. Stormwater Management for Helensburgh

with Particular Reference to Feasibility of Multiple Retention Basin Strategy, Report prepared
for ES Turnbull Pty Limited.
Snowy Genoa Catchment Management Committee, 1996. Expert Panel Environmental

Flow Assessment of the Snowy River below Jindabyne Dam.
Standing Committee on Rivers and Catchments, Victoria, 1991. Guidelines for Stabilising
Waterways, Rural Water Commission of Victoria.
Swale S and Harris JH, 1995. >The Expert Panel Assessment Method (EPAM): A New
Tool for Determining Environmental Flows in Regulated Rivers=, in: Harper DM and
Ferguson AJD (eds) The Ecological Basis for River Management, John Wiley, Chichester.
Sydney Water Corporation, 1995. Managing Sewer Overflows in the Sydney Region.
Underwood AJ and Chapman MG (ed) 1995. Coastal Marine Ecology of Temperate

Australia, UNSW Press, Sydney.
United States Environmental Protection Agency 1983, Results of the Nationwide Urban
Runoff Program—Volume 1, Final Report, Washington DC, NTIS PB84–185552
United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1993. NPDES Storm Water Sampling
Guidance Manual, CK Smoley/CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida.
Vannote RL, Minshall, GW, Cummins KW, Sedell, JR and Cushing CE, 1980. The River
Continuum Concept, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, 37: 130-137.
Ward RC, Loftis JC and McBride GB, 1990. Design of Water Quality Monitoring Systems,
Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York.
Wesche TA, 1985. Stream Channel Modifications and Reclamation Structures to Enhance
Fish Habitat, in Gore JA (ed): The Restoration of Rivers and Streams: Theories and Experience,
Butterworths, Boston.
Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, 1996. Model Stormwater

Management System.
Whiting ER and Clifford HF, 1983. Invertebrates and Urban Runoff in a Small Northern
Stream, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Hydrobiologia, 102: 73-80.
67
DRAFT
Wong THF, Breen PF and Brizga S, 1997. Stormwater Management Guidelines for Ecological
Health in Waterways, prepared for Melbourne Water.
68

Managing Urban Stormwater: Council Handbook: Draft

Uploaded by

Document Informationclick to expand document information

Copyright:

Available Formats

Managing Urban Stormwater: Council Handbook: Draft

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Managing Urban Stormwater: Council Handbook: Draft

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Managing Urban Stormwater:

NSW Environment Protection Authority

For technical information about this report, contact:

Environment Protection Authority

ISBN 07313 2792 6

Printed on recycled paper

The preparation of catchment-based stormwater management plans provides an

The NSW Government is releasing a series of Managing Urban Stormwater documents to

2 WHAT IS A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN? .......................................... 4

3 THE NEED FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANS ................................... 5

4 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES ...................................................... 6

PART B – THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANNING PROCESS................ 9

6 FRAMEWORK FOR PREPARING STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANS .... 11

7 STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT IN THE PLANNING PROCESS ..................... 13

8 PREPARING STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANS....................................... 14

11 REVISING THE PLAN.............................................................................................. 36

PART C – EXAMPLE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN .................................39

APPENDIX A – NOTICE REQUIRING PREPARATION OF STORMWATER

APPENDIX B – URBAN STORMWATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT.....................71

APPENDIX C –STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES ................................93

APPENDIX D - LEGISLATION AFFECTING URBAN STORMWATER

APPENDIX E – CATCHMENT AUDITING ................................................................... 127

APPENDIX F - STORMWATER QUALITY MODELLING.......................................... 133

APPENDIX G - STORMWATER QUALITY MONITORING ....................................... 141

APPENDIX H – ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF NEW URBAN

APPENDIX I - STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS .................................... 157

PART A – STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

1.2 Purpose of this document

1.3 Roles and Responsibilities for Stormwater Management

State Government Agencies including the Environment Protection Authority, the

2 WHAT IS A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN?

A stormwater management plan is a framework for action

It is important that the stormwater management plans:

The stormwater management plans are to be catchment or sub-catchment based. A plan

The focus of the plan is environmental protection through improved stormwater

3 THE NEED FOR STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLANS

In summary, whilst it is difficult to make generalisations about the impacts of urbanisation

4 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

A ‘river health’ approach to stormwater management is encouraged. This involves

Retain (and restore)*

Uncertainty in stormwater management needs to be acknowledged and accepted.

PART B – THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

6.1 Legal Framework

• Clean Waters Act – controlling water pollution.

Further details of these Acts are provided in Appendix D.

6.2 Relationship with other Plans

6.3 Cooperation between stormwater managers

Council A Council B Implement

Water Corporation Roads and Traffic Authority

Figure 6.1 – Possible Stormwater Management Structure

6.5 Council Activities Affecting Stormwater

Table 6.1 – Potential Influence of Council Activities on Stormwater

Council Activities Potential Influence on Stormwater

6.6 Stormwater Management under the Local Government Act

7 STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT IN THE PLANNING PROCESS

• Stormwater managers - including council(s), Sydney or Hunter Water Corporations,

• Community - including residents, local industry, operators of commercial premises,

• Coordination groups – such as Catchment Management Committees and Trusts,