The strategy to develop a Stormwater Management Strategy for Sunshine Coast Council by Nadia Guterres

Abstract

Sunshine Coast Council’s vision for the region is ‘Australia’s most sustainable region – Healthy. Smart. Creative’. Meeting the stormwater management needs of a growing community in a changing environment is critical to ensuring this vision can be realised. Council needed to be able to identify the key issues, challenges and opportunities so that it could outline the framework and future direction of stormwater management in the region. The development of the Stormwater Management Strategy (SMS) proved to be a complicated process. Stormwater management impacts on the planning and operation of many different parts of Council – not just those with stormwater in their title. There are many competing, and sometimes contradictory requirements. The SMS also had to fit within the existing policy framework. It needed to build upon and talk to the work done in other Council documents to provide a complementary and consolidated direction. Extensive consultation identified an overwhelming number of challenges and opportunities facing stormwater management. With so many issues and constraints, it looked like it would be too difficult to set a clear and feasible path forward, and that the SMS would need to be put in the “too hard” basket. However, by working through the issues with key stakeholders and identifying clear key objectives, a pathway to achieving our vision was able to be determined. The SMS will be an essential document to ensure that all parts of Council are working together. Through informed decision making, supported by smart planning and innovative use of technology and resources, Council can set the framework and direction for effective stormwater management. Implementation of the SMS seeks to provide Council and the Sunshine Coast community with: • healthy waterways and beaches • a more liveable, safe and green urban environment • an increased understanding of stormwater flood risk • increased engagement and appreciation of the impact we have on the environment • strategic and targeted investment that will maximise community benefit • optimised and coordinated infrastructure and service delivery, reducing costs and inconvenience to the community • reduced reliance on potable water • increased resilience to the effects of climate change • the ability to accommodate increased development in the region.