Water sensitive urban design
Water is essential to the health of the environment. As a valuable natural resource it has two dimensions that are closely linked: quantity and quality.
Action can be taken to protect Hobart's water resources and waterways from long-term impacts of urbanisation. This involves reducing flows and treating stormwater runoff from water-resistant surfaces.
We have prepared a resource kit with a wide range of applications for water sensitive design in the urban environment. This was created to respond to these challenges.
It has been developed from local knowledge in Hobart and information and ideas from around Australia.
Our water sensitive urban design guidelines are intended to help lessen the long-term impacts that urbanisation has on our waterways. They offer an improved standard of water management in new and existing developments. This includes various types from subdivision through to vehicle parking areas.
These guidelines include 12 sets of Practice Notes that provide technical information and ideas for greater efficiency in water use and reuse. They promote the onsite collection, treatment and use of stormwater, as well as the installation of more efficient home fittings and appliances as part of an integrated system.
While mainly aimed at building and infrastructure design professionals, the guidelines also provide a good general overview for everyone.
The guidelines can be downloaded below.
Further technical guidance can be obtained from the Water Sensitive Urban Design: Engineering Procedures for Stormwater Management in Tasmania (DPIWE, 2012) manual. This can be accessed on the Derwent Estuary Program website.
Site development guidelines
Practice notes
- 1. Rainwater Tanks(PDF, 324KB)
- 2. Infiltration Devices(PDF, 379KB)
- 3. Paving(PDF, 1MB)
- 4. Landscaping(PDF, 952KB)
- 5. Drainage Design(PDF, 2MB)
- 6. Wastewater Reuse(PDF, 1MB)
- 7. Rain Gardens and Bioretention Systems(PDF, 893KB)
- 8. Vegetated Swales and Buffers(PDF, 559KB)
- 9. Water Efficient Home Fittings and Appliances(PDF, 152KB)
- 10. Stormwater Ponds(PDF, 642KB)
- 11. Wetland Design, Construction and Maintenance(PDF, 454KB)
- 12. Hard Engineering Systems(PDF, 2MB)
- Appendix(PDF, 150KB)