Guidelines

General guidelines

Guidelines for Development in Flood Affected Areas 

See our webpage at Planning for sea level rise guidelines.

Works guidelines

Construction guidelines

Waterway design manual

Download specific sections:

Wetland design manual

WSUD guidelines

Read more about the new WSUD audit guidelines and toolkit on the MUSIC Auditor website.

Melbourne Water has released an updated version of the MUSIC (Model for Urban Stormwater Improvement Conceptualisation) Modelling guideline.  

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on modelling approaches and input parameters for MUSIC models that are submitted to Melbourne Water. 

The update was developed by peer review, scientific research, and stakeholder engagement across Melbourne’s stormwater industry. It addresses industry feedback, information gaps, and incorporates recent advancements in both science and industry.  

Notable changes include: 

• revised rainfall data. New templates better represent rainfall patterns, including the creation of an additional template band.
• clearer guidance on sediment ponds. This will minimise the risk of designing inappropriate treatment systems.
• new guidance on high flow bypasses, overflows, wetlands with multiple inlets.
• Clarifying Melbourne Water’s position that proprietary stormwater treatment devices may not replace nature-based systems in Development Services Schemes.

The new guideline, rainfall templates, and associated maps are available below.

Please note, Melbourne Water no longer accepts new models developed using the 2018 templates or guidance.

Clearwater and Stormwater Victoria hosted an information session covering the new guideline and changes, you can find the recording on the clearwater website MUSIC Modelling Guideline 2024 - Webinar 1 May 2024.

Tool guidelines 2024

Vegetation