Water sensitive urban design

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.

To protect Hobart's water resources and waterways from long-term impacts of urbanisation, we need to reduce flows and treat stormwater runoff from water-resistant surfaces.

The City of Hobart has prepared a resource kit with a wide range of applications for water sensitive design in the urban environment in order to respond to these challenges.

It has been developed both from local knowledge in Hobart and also through using valuable information and ideas identified in other parts of 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 development of 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, including the City of Hobart's own designers, 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, accessed via the Derwent Estuary Program website.

Site development guidelines

Practice notes

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