Proposed changes to planning laws dealing with the treatment of stormwater in the ACT have been released for public comment.
Requiring architects, designers, builders and property developers to incorporate infrastructure to use and treat stormwater more wisely, the proposed changes form part of a review of the Water Sensitive Urban Design General Code.
That review will update the water sensitive design requirements set out in the Territory’s prime planning document, the Territory Plan.
Deputy Director-General for Land Strategy and Environment, Erin Brady said the changes would be incorporated into Draft Variation 354 of the Territory Plan which encourages more green spaces and porous areas to help cool Canberra’s urban areas by allowing rainfall to infiltrate the ground more easily.
Dr Brady said the Draft Variation also set targets for mains water reduction, as well as the quantity and quality of stormwater released.
“New developments are encouraged to make urban development more environmentally friendly by including wetlands, ponds and rain gardens,” Dr Brady said.
“This is essential in helping reduce the effects of climate change in the capital.”
She said integrating the way stormwater was used into the urban development process paved the way for green ‘living’ infrastructure to become a feature of new developments.
“This can minimise the heat island effect by reducing hard surfaces in the urban environment, and promotes stormwater reuse for irrigation,” Dr Brady said.
Public consultation on Draft Variation 354 closes on 9 November and more information about the proposed change, including how to submit a comment, can be accessed at this PS News link.
