2015-04-28 Planning and Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                 28 APRIL 2015


8     STORMWATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN NOOSA
Author            Environment Officer, Cherie O’Sullivan
                  Planning & Infrastructure Department

Index             ECM/Subject/Water Quality/Water Sensitive Urban Design

Attachments       Nil


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Noosa Plan and State Planning Policies require new urban developments to treat their
stormwater runoff to reduce suspended solids, nutrients and litter. This is necessary to
mitigate the effects of urban development on the quality of stormwater reaching Noosa
Shire’s creeks and rivers.

Over the past 5 years, “bioretention basins” have become the most common stormwater
quality treatment device installed in developments throughout Noosa Shire. Bioretention
basins are a hybrid engineered and vegetated filtration device to remove sediment, nutrients,
and litter from urban stormwater runoff. Computer modelling is used to determine the most
effective bioretention basin size dependant on the unique characteristics of each
development.

To perform effectively, bioretention basins must be maintained.

This report is seeking Council’s agreement to undertake a Bioretention Basin Maintenance
Review of both Council and privately owned bioretention basin assets. The Bioretention
Basin Maintenance Review will ensure the following objectives of bioretention basins are
achieved:

1.    The quality of stormwater runoff from developments that have bioretention basin is the
      best it can be, to reduce impacts of those developments on creek and river water
      quality;
2.    Ongoing compliance with development conditions that require maintenance of
      bioretention basins; and
3.    Owners of bioretention basins are educated about their purpose and how to maintain
      them.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Environment Officer to the Planning & Organisation
Committee Meeting dated 28 April 2015 and agree to a review of both Council and privately
owned Bioretention Basins with a focus on maintenance of those Bioretention Basins.


REPORT
1.    Introduction

This report is provided to:
    inform Council how the quality of stormwater runoff is managed during the operational
      phase of developments approved in Noosa Shire; and
    inform Council of the importance to undertake a review of bioretention basin water
      quality treatment devices to ensure they are maintained and functioning appropriately.


                                                                                 Page 74 of 211