An Australian-first approach to waterways and stormwater management is to play a key role in cooling Western Sydney under a new Department of Planning and Environment and Sydney Water management plan.
Unveiling the plan for the Mamre Road and Aerotropolis precincts, Minister for Lands and Water, Kevin Anderson said stormwater would be diverted into natural water channels and wetlands instead of relying on buried concrete pipes or drains.
Mr Anderson said the stormwater would then be collected, treated and harvested as recycled water to support greening in the local area.
“The new plan takes a region-wide approach to stormwater and waterway management delivering the greatest benefit to the community,” he said.
“By managing stormwater across the entire landscape and integrating it into a region-wide system, we will deliver the infrastructure required for the precinct to thrive while providing additional open spaces for the community to enjoy.”
Minister for Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres said Sydney’s green spaces and tree canopy would need about 68 billion litres of water per year by 2035.
“By exploring options like stormwater and circular economy principles in our planning, we can reduce or eliminate the need to use our precious drinking supply to support a cooler, greener city,” Mr Ayres said.
He said Sydney Water had been appointed to undertake the planning, delivery and operation of major stormwater infrastructure for the precincts.
Managing Director of Sydney Water, Roch Cheroux said a range of recreational activities would be able to be enjoyed within and around planned stormwater infrastructure, such as cycle and walking paths, picnic spaces, playing fields and playgrounds.
