Drainage Schemes
We create guidelines for developers to ensure urban development meets appropriate standards of drainage and flood protection.
Our drainage schemes aim to:
- ensure public safety
- control flooding
- protect the health of our rivers and creeks.
Drainage system standards
Standards have increased as Melbourne has grown.
The main standards that govern drainage system design are:
- underground drainage systems should have a 1-in-5 year flood capacity
- overland flow paths, floodways, floodplains and retarding basins combined should provide a 1-in-100 year capacity
- rivers and creeks should have stable beds and banks, planted with indigenous species
- litter and suspended solids should be trapped/screened to remove 70% of litter and 80% of suspended solids
- nutrients should be treated to remove 45% of nitrogen and phosphorous.
Developers are also strongly encouraged to follow water-sensitive urban design principles and guidelines.
Development Services Schemes
- outline the strategy for planning new drainage infrastructure (such as pipelines, channels, retarding basins, litter traps and wetlands) in 'greenfield' (undeveloped) areas
- make sure that urban development provides safe levels of flood protection and does not harm the health of rivers and creeks.
Redevelopment Services Schemes
- ensure that redevelopment in existing urban areas is properly serviced
- ensure the existing level of flood protection is maintained for the community.
Who pays for drainage facilities?
Drainage scheme works are funded by contributions from developers, paid under an agreement with Melbourne Water at the time of subdivision.
Our schemes aim to ensure that:
- urban growth is properly serviced
- development and implementation (of the schemes) is undertaken in a cost-effective way that reduces the impact on the community and the environment
- drainage infrastructure (where required) integrates with the urban environment
- urban development is sustainable by encouraging water sensitive urban design and stormwater reuse.