Part 4 – Stormwater Drainage

4.3    Variations:  Stormwater Drainage

The management of stormwater has a functional role in the urban and rural environments. It also has important cultural, aesthetic and environmental implications. The core design principles, context and site analysis are important components of establishing an appropriate design response and rationale for the stormwater management systems chosen for individual subdivisions and developments, within the overall context of the area.

Stormwater run-off within a catchment shall be carefully managed in order to avoid (often cumulative) problems of flooding, erosion and pollution of water bodies. If stormwater disposal is managed in a sustainable manner, the impact on the environment will not be increased and longer-term maintenance costs are minimised.

Understanding the implications of future land use and its design elements, such as the extent of site coverage, including paved surfaces, is important and should be taken into account.

Swales, larger grass verges, and detention basins can allow groundwater recharge, slow the movement of water, and reduce pollutants in receiving water bodies. These areas may also be used to enhance the amenity and natural quality of the subdivision or development and adjacent areas, contributing more widely to the environmental quality of the towns and district.