Welcome to our archive on past SIAWA Seminars and Conferences
Hydropolis 2010 Urban Development in Areas of High Groundwater: New Approaches
Wednesday, 24 November 2010 00:00
Location: Melbourne Hotel, Hay Street Perth, Western Australia
This conference highlighted issues associated with land development projects in areas of high water table. Within the framework of regulation and Australian standards, alternative design scenarios were canvassed - including subsoil options, using excess groundwater, minimising freeboard above water table and foundation types. The conference aimed to draw attention to the need for fresh look at WA design standards, with comparison to Eastern State practice.
Presenters from peak industry bodies (UDIA, SIA), consultants (GHD, JDA), developers, Department of Water and Local Government talked about their experiences with some of the latest policies, strategies and projects in the ground.
Prof Richard Weller has done some very interesting research on the Urban Sprawl going on in Perth, and presented various alternative scenarios. Some ideas were truly out of the box - and made some interesting discussion. The illustrations in his presentations were very inspiring. Richard Weller has a book due to be published, but unfortunately the publishers have the rights to the images, so we cannot show them just now. The Book can be found on UWA Press web site.
"The Western Australian capital, Perth, is the world's most isolated city, in one of the world's most precious biological regions. Already sprawled further than most major international cities, Perth is predicted to grow from 1.5 million people to 4.2 million by 2056. To meet this increase the entire city and its infrastructure needs to double in the next four decades. This will have huge consequences for the culture and ecology of the city: Perth's long term survival is at stake"
Richard Theobald is the manager at the water unit of the Department of Health (WA). Richard talked about the Key Principals of the Water unit, Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling, Legislation for Stormwater reuse and liquid waste, Standard Requirements, Risk Rankings and alternate/recycled Water Schemes. We'll post some more information on our SIAWA website when it comes to hand.
Dr Peter Helman from the Griffith University Centre for Coastal Management, Queensland, talked about his research into coastal change due to climate storms, droughts, climate variability and climate change.
"The late Prof Petter Cullen urged Australians to understand where we live and to be proud of what we have achieved, but also to recognise ‘we need to fundamentally change the way we manage Australia, not in a negative gloom and doom way, but in a positive, inspirational way.' "
Water Recharge and Balance - Planning for a sustainable future
Thursday, 27 November 2008 13:02
The theme of this seminar was to recognize the importance of infiltration and recharge and the role that stormwater management planning and practice must play in maintaining the health of country.
This seminar looked closely at water balance, timing and storage. Of particular concern is the general wastage of an important resource. We need increased knowledge, reduction of flows and conservation through the annual cycle over longer periods. We look to use and restore our groundwater systems, as well as preserve our wetlands and biodiversity.
Dr David Leaman will discuss some of the overlooked subtleties of the water cycle - especially with regard to transpiration and groundwater - and then consider how human demands lead to all manner of changes. He challenges current wisdom of what constitutes environmental flow and the means by which usage allocations are made. The issues and solutions in both urban and rural situations can be compared and contrasted and found to depend only upon a full appreciation of the water cycle and balancing of the water budget for the given place. Climate effects lead only to a need for flexible re-balancing within this approach. He considers the classical solution of water importation and asks are we better served by living within our water means. Examples are drawn from the Murray-Darling Basin, Northeast Tasmania, Southeast South Australia, some small coastal towns and major Australian cities.
Mr Alan Hill BSc graduated from Murdoch University in 1980. His current doctoral thesis is on Culture and the Wise Use of Wetlands. The thesis provides a timely comparison of water management and wetland protection in Western Australia and Southern Britain, particularly with respect to the effectiveness of traditional, contemporary and international cultural institutions. His long term water management experience has included water allocation in policy analysis, water conservation, working on integrated urban and rural water management, subregional water planning, development control drainage planning in Southern Perth, conservation strategies, wetland and bushland conservation, and water planning policy for the environment. Alan's talk will reflect sustainability issues of interest to stormwater managers taken from his thesis. The accompanying photograph was taken in a wetland area of great antiquity
Doug Forster (Director, Business Units City of Perth) was trained in Civil Engineering but has bin senior management for the better part of his career. He has worked in five states mainly in Local Government. Doug has undertaken several post-graduate studies and is a qualified Company Director. Being raised with a rural background Doug has always been conscious of the use of water as a finite resource and is delighted to share some of the City of Perth experiences.
The SIA National President Steve Frost came to Perth to bring with him his insight on the “Restoring the Waters Project”. This project had a vision for the restoration of the urban stream corridors in Sydney, a new kind of urban creek developed using sustainable bio-engineering techniques. The project involved transforming the first 500m of a 2.7km section of a concrete lined channel into a natural stream. The challenge for the project team was to design a new kind of urban stream, with natural elements offering recreational and habitat opportunities.
Mike Mouritz will also present a short presentation on building strategies to “Water Sensitive Cities”. His role in the DPI includes policy and program delivery for coordination of urban land use, infrastructure and transport planning. Mike has over 20 years experience in planning, environment and development issues, in both private and public sectors, and has a particular interest in the interaction between places, people and their pursuits and a special interest in enhancing urban sustainability.
Bill Till from the Department of Water - Drainage and Waterways Branch, ran through a few slides and gave us an update on what is happening in the DOW.
Seminar Archive
Stormwater Industry Association WA Inc.
Hydropolis 2010 Flyer
