Guidelines for stormwater biofilter vegetation in south-west WA

Vegetation guidelines for stormwater biofilters in the south-west of Western Australia has been published by Monash University to assist in vegetation selection for biofilters in south-west WA.

Prepared by researchers and local experts, with assistance from the WA government, the guidelines outline a process for plant selection that engages stakeholders and aims to meet project objectives through appropriate plant choices.

The importance of vegetation in urban landscapes is being increasingly recognised and this guideline will help us optimise the design, construction and maintenance of biofilters in south-west WA to achieve water quality and quantity management, amenity and biodiversity benefits.

A practice note providing a summary of the detailed guidelines is also available.

The guidelines and practice note are available on the New WAter Ways website.

Limited hard copies of the guidelines and practice note are available from the Department of Water by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The guidelines are also complemented by the Bioretention technical design guidelines, Version 1.1 (Water by Design 2014) and the Biofilters and wetlands for stormwater treatment and harvestingpublication (CRC for Water Sensitive Cities 2014).