8

STRATEGY PLANNING

8.1

GENERAL........................................................................................................................ 8-1

8.2

PLANNING PERIOD......................................................................................................... 8-1

8.3

PREPARING STRATEGY PLANS........................................................................................ 8-1

8.4

IMPLEMENTING STRATEGY PLANS ................................................................................. 8-10

8.5

MONITORING STRATEGY PLANS..................................................................................... 8-11

8.6

REVISING STRATEGY PLANS .......................................................................................... 8-12

Urban Stormwater Management Manual

8-i

Strategy Planning

8.1

GENERAL

Stormwater strategy planning is an ideal mechanism to:

Urban stormwater strategy planning is undertaken

fundamentally to establish stormwater quantity and quality
management objectives for a catchment. It is ideally
undertaken for large catchments such as Metropolitan or
Municipal river basins, but may also be incorporated with
stormwater master planning into a single plan for smaller
rural towns and villages. The information in this Chapter
has largely been adapted from NSW EPA, 1996a.
A stormwater strategy plan should identify the stormwaterrelated social and environmental characteristics that the
community considers desirable or valuable enough to be
preserved or restored. The plan should also develop
appropriate management objectives and investigate
strategies to satisfy these community values in an
economical and ecologically sustainable manner.

Task 1: Establish Framework

Task 1: Establish Framework

identify stormwater problems within urban areas that

may warrant further detailed investigation and
planning, such as flood mitigation works for major
watercourses and local flooding or pollution problems

provide a framework for the preparation of detailed

stormwater master plans for new development,
redevelopment, or specific problem areas

enable a holistic approach to local area planning that

is consistent and responsive to community values and
expectations

8.2

Stormwater strategy plans must be prepared to meet

conditions up to some future point in time and should be
based on a reasonable time period for implementation.
The following factors should be considered in selecting an
appropriate planning period:

The expected economic life of treatment control

management measures recommended in the strategy
plan. The planning period should be of sufficient
duration to assure essentially that full benefit will be
derived from the recommended facilities throughout
their useful life.

The period over which future development forecasts

will be reasonably accurate. The accuracy of forecasts
is likely to decrease as the planning period increases.
Inaccuracy of long-term forecasts, coupled with the
small present values of benefits and costs far in the
future, tends to favour shorter planning periods.

Task 2: Collect Data

Task 2: Collect Data
Task 3: Describe Existing Conditions
Task 3: Describe Existing Conditions
Task 4: Prepare Development Forecasts
Task 4: Prepare Development Forecasts
Task 5: Identify Values
Task 5: Identify Values
Task 6 : Identify Objectives
Task 6 : Identify Objectives

8.3

Task 7: Identify Issues and Causes

Task 7: Identify Issues and Causes
Task 8: Prepare Issues Report
Task 8: Prepare Issues Report

Review
Review

Task 10: Evaluate Options

Task 10: Evaluate Options
Task 11: Develop Implementation Strategy
Task 11: Develop Implementation Strategy
Task 12: Prepare Draft Plans
Task 12: Prepare Draft Plans

Figure 8.1

Review
Review

Stormwater Strategy Plan Tasks

(after NSW EPA, 1996a)

Urban Stormwater Management Manual

PREPARING STRATEGY PLANS

There is no rigid process for preparing stormwater strategy

plans.
The process to be adopted for a particular
catchment will depend on the physical, ecological, social,
and administrative characteristics of the catchment.
Figure 8.1 outlines a number of tasks that can be
undertaken when preparing stormwater strategy plans.
The planning process should be flexible and responsive to
the characteristics of the catchment. The tasks outlined
therefore serve as an example process rather than a
prescriptive process.

Task 9: Identify Potential Options

Task 9: Identify Potential Options

Task 13: Prepare Final Plan

Task 13: Prepare Final Plan

PLANNING PERIOD

The planning process outlined is relatively detailed and

may place a burden on available resources. This detail is
not intended to inhibit the development of strategy plans,
but to provide an idealised scenario if resources were not
limited. However, where resources are limited (either
financial or staffing), interim or preliminary plans could be
prepared. These plans could provide a framework for
stormwater management that could be improved over
time. There can be significant benefits associated with
preparing and implementing interim or preliminary plans in

8-1

Strategy Planning

the short term rather than waiting until sufficient resources

are available for a comprehensive plan to be prepared.
(a)

Task 1 : Establish Framework

The first task in the process involves establishing the

overall framework for the plan and the plan preparation
process. This can involve establishing:

bridge and culvert crossings

point sources of pollution (e.g. sewage treatment

plants)

major sewer overflows

existing treatment control stormwater management

practices (e.g. detention basins, constructed wetlands)

(ii)

Social Characteristics

the purpose of the plan

the scope of the plan (e.g. interim, final)

responsibilities for stormwater management within the

catchment

population characteristics, including demographics and

language characteristics

the presence of any existing stormwater management

framework, including a Catchment Management Plan
or a Metropolitan/Municipal Plan

recreational areas, including water-related (e.g.

riverside parks) and water-based (e.g. swimming,
boating, fishing) activities

landuse zoning

resource requirements for the preparation of the plan

the physical boundaries of the plan (e.g. catchment,

metropolitan area)

consultation processes with the community and other

stakeholders

landuse (e.g. commercial, residential, industrial,

recreational) and land ownership categories (e.g.
private, Local Government, State Government, Federal
Government)

(b)

Task 2 : Collect Existing Data

Existing data must be collected on the physical, social, and

ecological characteristics of the catchment, and its major
stormwater infrastructure, such as rivers, streams, lakes,
ponds etc. This data is useful for a number of purposes,
including:

(iii)

Waterway Characteristics

physical characteristics of the stormwater conveyance

system (e.g. piped, grassed floodways, lined or natural
channels)

physical characteristics of receiving water bodies (e.g.

lakes, reservoirs, wetlands and estuaries) including
bathometry, flushing rates, and tidal conditions for
estuaries

fluvial geomorphology processes for natural (or

modified natural) stormwater systems and receiving
waters, including erosion and sedimentation patterns

describing the existing conditions within the catchment

enabling the values of a catchment to be determined,

from which management objectives can be derived

assisting with catchment audits, by prioritising areas

for investigation

surface hydrology, including flooding and baseflow

characteristics

identifying constraints and opportunities for improved

treatment
control
and
houskeeping/education
stormwater management practices

water quality in stormwater conveyance systems and

receiving water bodies, under wet and dry weather
conditions

The data that can be collected in this task should be

related to one of the above purposes to avoid collecting
unnecessary data. A list of potential data needs is as
follows with items italicised that may have a lower
importance.
(i)

Physical Characteristics

soils, including
dispersivity

bedrock geology, including geochemical characteristics

topography, including slope characteristics

climate,
including
rainfall,
temperature distributions

major services that may influence stormwater

management practices (e.g. major telecommunication
cables, major gas mains)

8-2

permeability,

erodability,

evaporation,

and

and

(iv)

Ecological Characteristics

aquatic fauna and flora characteristics, including

habitat (this applies to both the stormwater
conveyance system and receiving water bodies)

riparian zone fauna and flora characteristics, including

habitat value

areas of urban forest

It is expected that for the majority of catchments, a large

proportion of this data will not be readily available or
cannot be quantified. It is difficult to provide a priority list
for identifying these characteristics, as their importance
will vary between catchments.
For an initial stormwater management plan, a preliminary
assessment could be undertaken using existing or readily
available data. Any requirements for further information

Urban Stormwater Management Manual

Strategy Planning

that arise during the plan preparation process could be

identified in the plan as an action to be implemented.
(c)

Task 3 : Describe Existing Conditions

Using the available data collected in Task 2, the existing

conditions within the catchment can be described. These
conditions can include:

topography, landuse, and soils

hydrology (e.g. location, type, and severity of historic

flooding, and low flow characteristics)

water quality (e.g. wet and dry weather catchment

and receiving water quality, major point and non-point
sources of pollution)

prohibited or prevented water uses

watercourse and water body physical characteristics

and fluvial geomorphology (e.g. channel erosion,
sediment transport)

aquatic habitat characteristics (e.g. aquatic ecology)

aquatic ecosystems

riparian and foreshore vegetation

urban forest, and existing stormwater-related impacts

on urban forest

A comprehensive assessment of these characteristics can

be an extensive exercise.
However, following the
precautionary principle, the lack of detailed knowledge on
these characteristics should not prevent the development
of a plan to improve current stormwater management
practices and prevent serious environmental degradation.
Options for undertaking an assessment of existing
conditions, which may provide additional data for the plan,
include:

Undertaking a preliminary assessment based on the

existing or readily available information. One of the
actions specified in the plan could be to undertake
further detailed investigations. This information could
also be supplemented by the use of engineering or
scientific judgement.
A site visit by a series of experts in fields such as
hydrology, hydraulics, water quality, ecology, and
geomorphology, who would use their knowledge of
other stormwater systems to provide a preliminary
assessment of these characteristics in a short report.
Undertake additional studies before proceeding
further. This may be appropriate where there is
limited knowledge on significant characteristics that
may have a strong influence on the strategy plan.
This approach may not be warranted for an initial
stormwater strategy plan.

Where a preliminary assessment is used to describe

existing conditions, this should be identified in the plan.

Urban Stormwater Management Manual

(d)

Task 4 : Prepare Development Forecasts

Potential future urban development areas and

redevelopment areas should be identified and forecasts of
the likely type and density of development estimated. The
major issues that should be investigated for this task are:

How will development progress in the catchment in

the absence of any additional special controls?

Assuming that mitigation measures are not

implemented, to what extent will existing flooding
problems be aggravated as a result of future land
development scenarios in the catchment?

Assuming that corrective measures are not

implemented, to what extent will existing stormwater
pollution problems be aggravated as a result of future
development scenarios?

(e)

Task 5 : Identify Management Values

There are a number of techniques available for assessing

catchment and water body values that are relevant to
stormwater management. In general, these values will not
be quantitative, but qualitative or relative (i.e. high,
medium, or low values). A preliminary assessment of
these values could be undertaken, which may be refined
following receipt of additional information. It may be
useful to establish these values by holding a stakeholder
workshop to obtain community input into the identification
of values. These values may also be mapped over the
catchment area.
(i)

Ecological Values

The ecological values of a stormwater system relate

primarily to the physical habitat characteristics, streamflow,
and water quality conditions. A measure of the ecological
value of a stormwater system is the extent to which a
healthy and diverse ecosystem exists. Values for the
following categories can be assessed:

Aquatic fauna : important habitats in freshwater

systems include substrate (bed material and
geometry), woody debris, and aquatic plants. For
estuarine and coastal systems, seagrass beds,
mangroves, and saltmarshes are valuable habitats.

Terrestrial fauna :
habitats for terrestrial fauna
including reptiles, mammals, and amphibians are
extremely variable. From a stormwater management
perspective, these habitats relate principally to riparian
zone vegetation.

Aquatic flora : the principal habitat for freshwater

aquatic flora such as macrophytes is a substrate with
appropriate attachment sites such as sediment.
Streamflow characteristics and water quality also
influence the value of a watercourse to macrophytes,
particularly floating species. A sandy substrate is also
required for seagrass beds in estuaries and coastal

8-3

Strategy Planning

waters, with flow characteristics, depth, and water

quality also relevant.

Terrestrial flora : the habitat value of a stormwater

system to terrestrial flora is related to the morphology
of the banks and floodplain, and the prevailing
streamflow and groundwater conditions.

Avifauna :
the riparian zone, the stormwater
conveyance system, and receiving water bodies can all
provide habitats for land-based and water birds.

(ii)

Social Values
Public health and safety : a value of a stormwater
system is that it should be capable of conveying
stormwater runoff with an acceptable degree of risk to
public health and safety. This also applies to water
quality, particularly for bacterial pollution (and other
pathogens) and mosquitoes.

It may be appropriate to provide two sets of objectives.

The first may be long-term objectives (effectively a vision
for the catchment) and the second being more short-term.
These short-term objectives can be the basis for evaluating
the performance of the plan at the end of a certain period
(e.g. 3 years).
The actual objectives (particularly the short-term
objectives) will depend on the adopted catchment values.
The following is an idealised example of a set of long and
short-term objectives.
(i)

Ecologically Sustainable Development

Stormwater management shall be based on the
principles of ecologically sustainable development.
These include the precautionary principle, intergenerational equity, conservation of biological diversity
and ecological integrity, and improved valuation and
pricing of environmental resources.

Recreation : stormwater systems can provide valuable

water-based or water-related opportunities for both
passive and active recreation.

(ii)

Visual amenity : stormwater systems and the riparian

zone can provide aesthetically pleasing landscapes.

The impact of stormwater on public health and safety

should be minimised.

The risk of property damage due to stormwater and

groundwater should be minimised.

Disruption to traffic and pedestrians during frequent

storm events should be minimised.

Water quality in the catchment is to meet ambient

water quality objectives.

Flows within the catchment are to meet receiving

water flow objectives.

The impact of urban stormwater on weed propagation

and growth in forests should be minimised.

(iii)

Economic Values
Minimising property damage : surface water and
groundwater can be managed to minimise their
potential to cause property and infrastructure damage
and associated economic loss.

Long-term Objectives

Water use : surface water or groundwater can be

used to provide a water source for domestic,
irrigation, stock, and industrial purposes.

Stormwater reuse : stormwater can be re-used for

potable or non-potable purposes to minimise the
demand for reticulated water, potentially reducing the
costs for major headworks projects and reticulation for
conventional water supply systems.

The value of indigenous riparian, floodplain, and

foreshore vegetation is to be optimised.

Property values : stormwater systems can enhance

adjacent property values, particularly those adjacent
to ponds, wetlands, lakes, and natural channels.

The watercourses within the catchment are to be in a

state of dynamic equilibrium from a fluvial
geomorphology perspective.

Fishing : amateur and commercial fishing can be

affected by stormwater, with the former often
associated with tourism.

The value of physical habitats for aquatic fauna within

the stormwater system is to be optimised.

Degraded ecosystems should be restored where

practical, including aquatic habitats and riparian zones.

The visual amenity of the stormwater system should

be optimised.

Opportunities for the multiple use of stormwater

facilities are to be optimised, to the degree that they
are compatible with other management objectives.

The reuse of stormwater for non-potable water

supplies should be encouraged in the context of total
water cycle management.

The impact of new urban developments on these

objectives is to be minimised.

(f)

Task 6 : Identify Management Objectives

Following identification of the values of a stormwater

system and its catchment, management objectives can be
developed to protect these values.
If a Catchment
Management Plan, Metropolitan/Municipal Plan, or other
relevant plan has recommended a set of management
objectives for a catchment, these objectives should be
reflected in the stormwater strategy plan. The objectives
may again be interim until further data is collected.

8-4

Urban Stormwater Management Manual

Strategy Planning

(iii)

Short-term Objectives

insufficient integration of stormwater systems and

recreational facilities

The ambient concentrations of nutrients within the

catchment are to be reduced by [a specified amount].

low visual amenity and landscape value of the

stormwater system

Litter is to be trapped from high litter generation

areas, including [names of major city centres,
shopping centres, active recreation areas, etc].

inadequate community involvement in stormwater

management

The annual average flow from the catchment is to be

reduced by [a specified amount].

(iii)

The majority of the urban stormwater entering the

[name of forest reserves] is to be treated to minimise
weed propagation and growth.

inconsistency between existing legislation

stormwater management objectives

Riparian vegetation along [name of watercourse] is to

be restored with indigenous species.

inadequate
funding
allocated
to stormwater
management or, management practices are not costeffective

Erosion in [name of watercourse] is to be addressed,

to create a watercourse in a state of dynamic
equilibrium.

inadequate coordination of Local Authority operations

affecting stormwater management

The physical habitats for aquatic fauna in [name of

watercourse] are to be restored.

Recreational facilities and access adjacent to [name of

watercourse] are to be improved.

A strong emphasis should be placed on the

management of stormwater at or near its source for
both quantity and quality.

The impact of new urban developments on these

objectives is to be minimised.

Compromises may need to be made between these

objectives for practical and economic reasons, to achieve
balanced environmental outcomes, and to meet community
expectations.
(g)

Task 7 : Identify Issues and Causes

This step of the plan preparation process involves

identifying the issues or problems that currently prevent,
or may prevent, the adopted management objectives from
being satisfied. These may be environmental, social, and
managerial, and may include the following factors.
(i)

Environmental Issues

poor water quality, under both wet and dry weather

conditions

an inappropriate streamflow regime, for both flooding

and baseflows

degraded aquatic habitats

channel erosion and sedimentation

weed growth in urban forests

degradation of ecologically-sensitive water bodies

(ii)

Social Issues

Managerial Issues
and

These issues can be identified by a combination of:

a desktop study, involving a review of existing

information contained in reports, studies, and
monitoring programs. This is particularly appropriate
for identifying environmental issues

field work, involving an inspection of the catchment,

possibly by a catchment audit. This approach is
appropriate for identifying environmental issues,
although some social and managerial issues may also
be identified

discussions, involving staff from Local Authorities and

relevant Federal and State Government agencies,
which can provide information on a range of issues

The community and other stakeholders can also be

involved in identifying management issues, which may
encourage greater community ownership of the
management decisions.
Management issues and their causes can be generally
identified, to a qualitative level, using existing information
and the use of scientific or engineering judgement.
However, the exact scope and causes of the management
problems may not be quantifiable with existing data.
Following the precautionary principle, this lack of
quantifiable data should not prevent the preparation of a
plan to address the issues. Further studies or monitoring
may need to be undertaken in the longer term. If
necessary, this can be undertaken during the plan
preparation process, which may be applicable for important
issues. Alternatively, this information can be collected as a
recommendation of the management plan and interim
decisions made based on the existing information.
A list of management issues that may exist in a catchment
and their possible causes are outlined in Table 8.1.

health risks associated with recreational use of

polluted waters

Urban Stormwater Management Manual

8-5

Strategy Planning

Table 8.1
Category
Environmental

Potential Management Issues and Causes (NSW EPA, 1996a)

Issue

Elevated nutrient concentrations

Elevated suspended solids

concentrations

Elevated bacterial concentrations

Litter in watercourses

Erosion of watercourses

Weed growth in urban forests

Degraded aquatic habitats

Degraded riparian vegetation

Inappropriate streamflow regime

Barriers to aquatic fauna migration

Social

Insufficient integration of stormwater

systems and recreational facilities
Low visual amenity and landscape
value of the stormwater system

Managerial

Inadequate community involvement

in stormwater management
Inconsistency between environmental
planning instruments and stormwater
management objectives
Inadequate funding for stormwater
management
Inadequate coordination between
government agencies and authorities
Inadequate coordination between
stormwater managers within a
catchment

8-6

Possible Cause

excess fertiliser application in residential areas

excess fertiliser application in parks and gardens
washing cars in streets
sewer overflows
atmospheric deposition
poor erosion and sediment control of construction activities
channel erosion
washing cars in streets
sewer overflows
faecal contamination from domestic animal droppings
sewer overflows
insufficient number of rubbish bins
insufficient emptying of rubbish bins
littering in retail, commercial, and industrial areas
removal of riparian vegetation
increased flood flows following urbanisation
deposition of sediment from upstream sources
nutrients from stormwater
weed propogules from residential gardens
removal of canopy vegetation
physical alteration of habitats
increased flood flows
increased sediment deposition
removal of riparian vegetation
physical removal of vegetation
introduction of exotic species
increased runoff due to impervious areas
increased flow rates due to hydraulic efficiency of
stormwater systems
insufficient stormwater re-use
reduced baseflow due to reduced infiltration
increased baseflow due to leaking water services
culvert over watercourse
weir in watercourse
narrow bridge over estuary
no walking paths adjacent to watercourses
no fishing areas
no swimming areas
hard lined channels
degraded natural channels
litter along watercourses
no catchment management committee

environmental planning instruments do not reflect

stormwater management objectives
insufficient allocation of rate income
poor communication between government bodies
poor integration of responsibilities across government
bodies
poor communication between managers
absence of a stormwater strategic plan for the catchment

Urban Stormwater Management Manual

Strategy Planning

A weighting system can provide a valuable means for

assessing the relative contribution of each issue to
catchment problems. Following identification of the major
problems, a weighting can be allocated to the causes of
the problems. A weighting can also be applied to the
sources of each of the problems, in terms of their relative
impact. The weightings can then be combined to yield a
total score for each source, which can then form the basis
of a priority listing. Although this is a subjective process, it
is transparent and avoids unstated assumptions. This
process is illustrated in Figure 8.2 for a water quality issue.

(h)

Task 8 : Prepare Issues Report

The results of the previous investigations can be presented

in a Stormwater Management Issues Report, which can be
directly incorporated into the final Strategy Plan. The aim
of this report is to summarise the management issues to
enable stakeholder review before investigating potential
management options. This may result in useful input from
stakeholders on the importance of management issues and
the values and objectives used to derive the issues, and
potentially highlight additional issues.
The contents of the report may include:

Streets
Car parks
Food stalls
Garages
Parks
Sewer
Building sites
Wet markets

Litter
Litter
Nutrients
Nutrients
Sediment
Sediment
Bacteria
Bacteria
Oils
Oils
Organics
Organics
Toxic
Waste
Toxic Waste
Identify major problems

Litter
8
Litter
Nutrients
78
Nutrients
Sediment
57
Sediment 4 5
Bacteria
Bacteria
Oils
34
Oils
Organics
23
Organics
Toxic
Waste 1 2
Toxic Waste 1
Agree on weightings

Identify sources

Assess impact (small, medium,

large, etc) of sources in terms
of the 7 identified problems

an introduction, outlining the purpose of the report

a description of the catchment

a description of existing catchment conditions

the identified catchment values

the stormwater management objectives

the identified stormwater management issues

identified problem areas or target areas that warrant

further investigation

(i)

Task 9 : Identify Potential Options

A
broad
range
of
treatment
control
and
housekeeping/education management practices is available
to address identified stormwater management issues.
Options incorporating different management practices that
could be applied to address global problems and areaspecific problems should be identified. A range of potential
management practices is provided in Table 8.2.
The
essential
conceptual,
technical,
economic,
environmental, financial, legal, administrative, political, and
other features of each option should be examined as
illustrated in Figure 8.3.
(j)

Combine weightings and sum to

give total score for each source

Building sites
Building
sites
Wet
markets
Wetstalls
markets
Food
Food stalls
Streets
Streets
Garages
Garages
Sewer
Sewer
Car
parks
Car parks
Parks
Parks

1
21
32
43
54
65
76
87
8

Priority list (highest scores)

Figure 8.2 Priority Setting Process

(after NSW EPA, 1996a)

Urban Stormwater Management Manual

Task 10 : Evaluate Options

A preliminary evaluation of these options can be

undertaken by assessing:

estimated capital cost (including any associated costs

such as relocation of infrastructure)

estimated operations and maintenance costs

effectiveness in addressing the issue, including the

ability to address multiple issues

ability to complement other potential management

practices

land take requirements

proportion of the problem/issue addressed by the

option

environmental impacts

technical and administrative viability

8-7

Strategy Planning

START

STOP

No

Is there
Is there
another
another
option
?
option ?
Yes
Conceptually
Conceptually
sound ?
sound ?

No

No

Yes
Economically
Economically
feasible
?
feasible ?

No

Yes
Environmentally
Environmentally
acceptable
?
acceptable ?

No

Yes
Financially
Financially
feasible
?
feasible ?

No

Yes
Legally
Legally?
acceptable
acceptable ?

No

Yes
No
Administratively
Administratively
feasible ?
feasible ?
Yes
Politically
Politically
acceptable
?
acceptable ?

No

Yes
ADD OPTION TO LIST
ADD OPTION
TO LIST
OF VIABLE
ALTERNATIVES
OF VIABLE ALTERNATIVES

Figure 8.3

8-8

whether legal requirements are satisfied

consistency with policies on other related issues (e.g.

public health)

expected community acceptance

A weighting or ranking system (similar to Figure 8.2) can

also be used to assess the ability of a range of options to
address an issue (or multiple issues) and to allocate
priorities for implementation. A weighting can be applied
to each of the factors noted above and a score derived.

Yes
Technically
Technically
feasible
?
feasible ?

Development of Options (Walesh, 1989)

The most appropriate options can form the basis for

detailed investigation and refinement during the
preparation of stormwater master plans for specific areas.
(k)

Task 11 : Develop an Implementation Strategy

Following the evaluation and ranking of a series of

stormwater management actions for the catchment, it is
advisable to review this ranking from a practical viewpoint
before progressing further.
This may be necessary,
particularly if a simplistic evaluation and ranking procedure
(such as that outlined in Task 9) has been employed. It is
important that this reality check be undertaken on an
entire catchment basis to identify potential overlaps or
synergies between different management practices. Also,
it is essential to check that the identified options are
realistic to ensure that the goals of the plan are achievable.
Following this review, a separate Implementation Strategy
can be developed for each stormwater manager within the
catchment. Each strategy should include a prioritisation of
specific management actions to be implemented by each
stormwater manager and a tentative timeframe for their
implementation. The broad prioritisation of actions is
aimed at allowing each stormwater manager to budget for
the proposed actions in annual business plans.
The implementation strategy will be crucial to the success
of the plan. Ensuring that there are appropriate funding
mechanisms to implement the recommendations of the
plan or recommending a staged approach based on
funding availability can enhance the credibility of the plan.
Failure to adequately address financial and institutional
considerations can result in the recommendations of the
plan being delayed or not implemented at all. If this
occurs, the credibility of the plan may be compromised
which can result in a loss of community support.
(l)

Task 12 : Prepare Draft Plan

A draft of the proposed stormwater strategy plan should

be prepared for review by stakeholders. The contents of
the draft stormwater strategy plan should include:

the contents of the Issues Report (refer to Task 7)

a discussion of the identified management options

the evaluation of the management options

Urban Stormwater Management Manual

Strategy Planning

Table 8.2

Issue

Category

Potential Stormwater Management Practices

Applicable for

Stormwater Management Practice

Existing
Water Quantity

Water Quality

Aquatic
habitats

Proposed

Housekeeping/
education

planning controls (delineate floodplains)

purchase flood prone properties

(y)
y

y
n

Treatment
control

y
y
y
(y)
y
y
y
(y)
y
y

y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
n
y

Housekeeping/
education

educational material
planning controls (land capability assessment)
water-sensitive urban design
control sewer overflows
label stormwater inlet pits
erect signs along streams, lakes, estuaries, etc
provide facilities for disposal of oils and harmful
chemicals
conduct regular catchment audits, concentrating
on commercial/industrial areas
undertake regular maintenance of treatment
control measures
eliminate sewer connections to stormwater
systems

y
y
y
y

y
y
y

y
y
y

Treatment
control

construction erosion and sediment control

litter baskets
litter racks
litter booms
deflective separators
sediment basins
gross pollutant traps
catch basins
buffer strips
grass swales
extended detention basins
water quality control ponds
artificial wetlands
urban watercourses
triple interceptor traps
coalescing plate interceptor traps
infiltration basins
infiltration trenches
porous pavements
sand filters

y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
(y)
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y

y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y
y

Housekeeping/
education

preserve existing habitats

planning controls (delineate riparian buffers)

y
(y)

y
y

Treatment
control

reconstruct habitats

Urban Stormwater Management Manual

infiltration basins
infiltration trenches
porous pavements
grass swales
detention basins
extended detention basins
flood storage in ponds and wetlands
urban watercourses
levees
rainwater tanks

8-9

Strategy Planning

Table 8.2 (continued)

Issue

Category

Potential Stormwater Management Practices

Applicable for

Stormwater Management Practice

Existing

Proposed

Housekeeping/
education

preserve existing vegetation

planning controls (delineate riparian buffers)

y
(y)

y
y

Treatment
control

replanting

Channel
erosion

Treatment
control

y
y
y
y

y
y
y
y

Weed growth
in forests

Treatment
control

water quality management

plant indigenous vegetation

y
y

y
y

Riparian
Vegetation

streamflow management
treatment control protection measures
energy dissipaters
riparian vegetation planting

the Implementation Strategy developed for each

stormwater manager within the catchment

a monitoring program, which includes mechanisms for

incorporating the results of the program into revisions
of the plan

a program for revising the plan and linking its

implementation to the management planning
processes of relevant government agencies and other
stormwater managers

a mechanism for the dissemination of information on

the implementation of the plan and the results of any
monitoring programs

recommendations for any further investigations or

studies

It is essential that the recommendations contained in the

plan are realistic, making the goals of the plan achievable,
otherwise there is a risk of losing a degree of community
support. Support is likely to be maintained or improved if
realistic achievable actions are recommended.
(m)

sections responsible for implementing the plan should

be clearly identified. The council can also take
responsibility for developing a coordinated approach
with other stakeholders to achieve the objectives of
the plan.

Resourcing : council should take responsibility for

ensuring adequate resources are available to
appropriate sections of the organisation.
These
resource requirements may include staff, information,
expertise, equipment, and funding.

Training, awareness, and competence :

Council
should ensure that all staff whose activities may have
an impact on stormwater are aware of the causes of
the impacts, the benefits of good stormwater
management, and their specific responsibilities for
implementing the plan. Training of staff and other
stakeholders may also be required.

Communication : Council should establish procedures

for effective communication between stakeholders
regarding stormwater management.
Internal
communication between sections and staff may need
to be developed by specific procedures. Council can
also establish procedures for reporting on the
implementation of the plan and the results of any
monitoring. This can be addressed in Council annual
reports and management plans

Operational control : For areas of council operations

that can have an impact on urban stormwater (listed
in Table 8.3), councils can define operating procedures
to give effect to the recommendations of the plan and
monitor the implementation and effectiveness of these
procedures.

Emergency preparedness and response : Councils can

establish procedures for identifying and responding to
stormwater-related emergencies such as floods and
pollutant spills.

Task 13 : Prepare Final Plan

Following receipt of comments from stakeholders on the

draft plan, a final stormwater management plan can be
prepared.

8.4

IMPLEMENTING STRATEGY PLANS

There are a number of institutional requirements that may

need to be satisfied for the successful implementation of a
stormwater strategy plan. These requirements are from a
local government perspective and include:

8-10

Structure and responsibility : A senior management

representative may be nominated to take
responsibility for ensuring that the plan is
implemented and to report to council. The staff and

Urban Stormwater Management Manual

Strategy Planning

Table 8.3

Potential Influence of Council Activities on Stormwater

Council Activities

8.5

Potential Influence on Stormwater

Environmental planning

Urban capability assessment

Stormwater management practices for new
developments

Building approvals and

inspections

Erosion and sediment control of building sites

Environmental health

Trade waste, discharges to stormwater

Parks and gardens

Maintenance activities (e.g. tree planting,

fertiliser application, grass cutting)

Road maintenance

Various maintenance activities

Drainage system
maintenance

Various maintenance activities

Waste collection

Litter management

Road and drainage design

Road route selection, drainage system design

Finance

Budgets for stormwater management

Library

Community education

MONITORING STRATEGY PLANS

There are two broad types of monitoring that can be

undertaken for stormwater management, namely:

water quality and biological monitoring

observation monitoring

This is in addition to monitoring the performance of a

strategy plan, which is undertaken by comparing planned
actions against their achievement and deriving strategies
for addressing any problems.
Stormwater monitoring can be undertaken for the following
purposes:

assessing the prevailing conditions

stormwater system or receiving waters

obtaining water quality data for use in designing new

stormwater management practices

determining the performance of existing stormwater

management practices

within

The conventional approach to monitoring lies solely on

technical monitoring programs.
However, there is
considerable benefit in undertaking primarily non-technical
monitoring by the community.
If the community is
involved in monitoring the success of the plan, it can be
expected that the community will be more likely to modify
their behaviour if the objectives of the plan are not being
met.
Conversely, a sense of civic pride in their
achievements can be generated if the monitoring indicates
that the plan is succeeding.

Urban Stormwater Management Manual

Making the results of stormwater quality monitoring

techniques readily available to the community, including
both the detailed results of the program and a more widely
circulated non-technical summary can assist this.
Catchment Management Committees can be useful forums
for both undertaking and reporting on the monitoring
programs.
It is beyond the scope of this manual to provide detailed
information on water quality monitoring techniques, and
the reader should refer to the references provided. Where
possible, stormwater quality monitoring should be
undertaken at agreed sites or sites that have been used in
the past for water quality monitoring to enable results to
be compared.
Observation-based monitoring can provide a general
indication of the existing conditions within a stormwater
system and potentially highlight the need for more
scientific monitoring. This monitoring can be undertaken
by council staff or interested members of the community.
The value of the monitoring may be enhanced if a proforma is developed, which indicates the date, time of day,
weather conditions, flow conditions, and possibly flow
depth. This approach will improve the consistency of
observations.
Items that can be identified by this technique include:

litter

foam

surface scum

surface oil

8-11

Strategy Planning

algae surface or attached

water clarity turbidity, visibility depth

aquatic plants (macrophytes) emergent, submerged,

floating

organic matter (leaves, etc)

condition of riparian vegetation

bank erosion

sedimentation

8.6

following completion
investigations

if the monitoring data indicates that the plan will not

achieve its objectives

of

significant

additional

A revision to the plan does not necessarily need to involve

the preparation of a comprehensive new plan. The
revision could involve the preparation of a supplementary
plan or an addendum to the existing plan.

REVISING STRATEGY PLANS

A timetable should be developed for revising the plan. A

revision to the plan may be appropriate:

if significant additional monitoring data is available

if significant additional funding

management becomes available

8-12

for

As each catchment will differ in the need for a plan

revision, it is difficult to provide firm guidance on when a
plan should be revised. In metropolitan and large regional
centres, the plan could be revised every 3-5 years, with a
longer period possibly being appropriate for smaller rural
towns.

stormwater

Urban Stormwater Management Manual