E-NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2020
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Message from our Secretary, Colin |
Welcome to The Outlet’s third edition. With 2020 coming to an end and only 9 weeks until Christmas, I am sure many of us are looking forward to starting fresh in 2021. We have experienced many downsides within this current year; however, I would like to highlight the many positives that have come from the changes which have been implemented to maintain business continuity.
For one, the adaption of moving seminars and technical events online has increased our industries reach to a wider audience. This has provided the ability for each of us to access additional presentations and events, without restrictions of travel or time limitations that may be imposed when face to face. I would like to offer my gratitude to our events sub-committee and GEMS Event Management Australia, who have done a mountain of work to get this operational.
While many of you may have seen me at an SV event over the last few years, you may not know a lot about me, so here is a quick overview of my journey into stormwater. Prior to attending University, I looked into design courses as I always thought I wanted to be an architect, until I realised I didn’t have the artistic ideas to create designs without a ruler and to a code, finding I was more aligned to a career in Engineering. While at University, my Water Resources Professor opened my horizons to the Stormwater industry and the potential benefits within.
My passion for obtaining a community role in which I have the potential to implement lasting change to provide benefits, increase amenity and preservation of our environment for the future, directed my pursuit to obtain a role within local government. My aim is to look back in the future and be satisfied that I have influenced positive changes, by currently asking myself objectively (as much as possible) “what will my footprint today, effect tomorrow?”
~ Colin McLeod
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Introducing the New 2020/21 Stormwater Victoria Committee Members |
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Some new volunteers have joined the Stormwater Victoria committee in various subcommittee roles. Let’s find out a little about them and what drives them. |
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Jacqueline Woodlock Conference Subcommittee
“I enjoy cycling and hiking in the outdoors. Water management and education is important to me, to ensure native flora and fauna are not negatively impacted by urbanisation, and that stormwater management is positively integrated into developments with public support.”
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Michael Mag
Advocacy and Strategic Direction subcommittee
“Often can be found running along Gardiners Creek with his fiancé or walking with his dog, enjoying the spaces within the community that our industry helps to create”
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Stephen D’Agata Conference Subcommittee
“Professionally, I describe myself as an asset management and infrastructure planning professional. Privately, I am a civil engineer, author, youtuber, stand-up comic and a dad. In my middle ages, I have discovered that life is too short to keep putting off following your passions.”
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Charlotte Beresford Advocacy and Strategic Direction Subcommittee
“I’m a Territorian (NT) at heart, I consider Qld as my home. I live in Victoria and I’m excited to eventually end up in Tassie or Northern NSW. I’m lucky that I can engage and collaborate around water, in so many great places – for work and play.”
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Celine Marchenay Membership and Engagement Subcommittee
“You can often find me walking along Aspendale Beach with my two young children looking at stormwater outfalls. Water conservation and protection of the environment are two causes that drives my advocacy for integrated water management.”
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Katie Prout
Events Subcommittee
“I thoroughly enjoy the mountains and love spending time at Falls Creek resort with my family. I believe in flexibility of the stormwater industry, being able to adapt and change our thinking around what works best for multiple reasons, rather than ticking a check box.”
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Maria Matamala
Events Subcommittee
“I love going for walks and runs along creek/river trails and really enjoy seeing so many others make the most of these spaces. Being a part of this industry, where we can collaboratively work towards protecting and improving the health of our waterways and the environment, while creating more open spaces for the community to enjoy into the future, is amazing!”
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Acknowledgement to the Outgoing Committee Members
We would also like to thank the departing members who have committed their time, dedication and expertise to the industry and without whom we would not have made the many strides within Stormwater Victoria over the past 12 months.
Kate Mathews and Luke McLean have provided invaluable support to the Policy and Advocacy subcommittee. Elizabeth Smolinska and Tony Barret formed part of the Conference and Awards subcommittee, delivering a memorable 2019 Stormwater National Conference in Marysville, together with the 2019 Awards, in collaboration with AWA and the Stormwater Australia Committee.
And, finally, Zoe O’Hara, Jenny Robertson and Simon Robertson worked within our Technical Events, Networking and Membership subcommittee, working closely with our membership base and providing our industry with outstanding workshops and networking opportunities.
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of them for their hard work and dedication during their time on the committee!
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We Would Like Your Feedback... |
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In the upcoming month, Stormwater Victoria will be sending out a survey to all members regarding the SQIDEP (Stormwater Quality Improvement Device Evaluation Protocol), prepared by Stormwater Australia. We would like to get our members feedback on the current protocol before we formalise a position and a collective response to Stormwater Australia.
We would appreciate your contribution to this important initiative, to ensure we can work towards achieving a fair, robust and transparent industry protocol.
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Melbourne Water Releases a Biofiltration System
in DSS Guideline
Melbourne Water with the support of industry partners including Stormwater Victoria, just released a Biofiltration Systems in Development Services Schemes (DSS) Guideline.
This technical guideline for developers provides information on the application, design, construction and establishment of biofiltration systems in Melbourne Water DSS, where no council-specific criteria exist.
Biofiltration systems (also known as biofilters, raingardens, or bioretention or bio-infiltration systems) are defined as terrestrial stormwater treatment systems – differing from aquatic systems, such as constructed stormwater treatment wetlands. The guideline covers standard, gravity-fed, non-proprietary biofiltration systems for treating stormwater runoff from an urban catchment. It does not cover biofiltration swales, biofiltration tree pits, proprietary systems, systems required to treat major road runoff or systems designed for stormwater harvesting.
The guideline aims to enable the consistent delivery of best-practice biofiltration system assets. They articulate Melbourne Water’s expectations and requirements, and provide design acceptance pathways (‘Deemed to Comply’ and ‘Alternative Design Acceptance Approach’) for consultants submitting biofiltration system design and construction applications to Melbourne Water, aligned with Melbourne Water wetland and constructed waterway design manuals.
Read the new guideline HERE. |
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Meet the Speaker - Mindy Brooks
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This month Meet The Speaker interviews one of our Keynote Speakers ahead of the International Keynote Showcase in November. We are super excited to bring you a sustainability success from the City of Portland.
Mindy Brooks is a City Planner and has been working with the City of Portland since 1999. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Washington State University and Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree from Portland State University.
She has managed environmental program updates for major comprehensive plans including 'Airport Futures', a policy and zoning update for the Portland International Airport and surrounding industrial lands, and 'Central City 2035', a policy and zoning update for Portland’s downtown and Willamette River.
Stormwater VIC had a quick chat to her to about what stormwater and what it’s like working at the City of Portland.
SV: Thanks for getting involved with our International Keynote Showcase. It’s really fantastic to see our international peers as enthusiastic about stormwater and sustainability as we are. What got you interested in stormwater?
Mindy: I've been an outdoors girl since birth. My parents bought a small cabin on a lake when I was 9. The lake is so clean you can drink the water. Keeping the lake clean has been a mission of my dad's. I remember homeowner meetings when I was young, listening to adults talk about no wake zones and invasive plants. So I'd say, protecting the environment is in my genes and has been part of my life forever.
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SV: Nice one, that’s very understandable. Protecting the environment is big on the Stormwater VIC agenda and it’s a large part of what we do as an industry. Is there any part of your work that “sounds boring” to others, but you actually enjoy a lot?
Mindy: I'm a policy nerd. I actually love reading and writing laws and zoning code. Figuring out how to make a regulation work is really difficult and rewarding. Writing the new ecoroof rules for downtown Portland was fun.
SV: Great, and following on from that, what has been your favourite project and why?
Mindy: The project I'm most proud of was updating the land use plan for the Portland International Airport and surrounding industrial lands. I worked on updating the environmental rules. The plan was the first in Portland to recognize grassland habitat and require mitigation that supports grassland wildlife, such as the streaked horned lark, which is an endangered species.
SV: That’s so interesting; we definitely have a way to go in protecting our grassland habitat here in Victoria. And streaked horned lark, I’ll have to google image that one later. And finally, what’s your favourite stormwater/recreational spot to take your family?
Mindy: My favourite recreational spot is Mt Rainier National Park. Specifically, I love the Pinnacle Peak hike, which provides incredible views. The hike is only accessible for about 2 months, the rest of the year it's under feet of snow.
SV: Thanks heaps Mindy
If you want to know more about Mindy, she will be speaking to us in November as part of the International Keynote Showcase, to discuss the uptake of Ecoroofs and policy measures by the City of Portland.
For more information about the Showcase series, please click on the tab below. Be sure to register soon, so you don't miss out!
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Webinar: Challenging the Current Queensland Regulatory Framework for Rainwater Tanks
Run by Stormwater Queensland
Date: Thursday 15th October 2020
Time: 1.00 pm - 1.45 pm
Location: Online – Zoom
Speaker: Daniel Niven, Principal Water Engineer at Engeny Water Management
Webinar: Four Key Leadership Takeaway Messages
Run by Stormwater Victoria
Date: Thursday, 22nd October 2020
Time: 12.30 pm - 1.30 pm
Location: Online – Zoom
Speaker: Celine Marchenay/ Q&A Panel: Andre Taylor
Webinar: Let's Stop Putting Stormwater Detention in Stupid Places
Run by Stormwater Queensland
Date: Thursday, 29th October 2020
Time: 1.00 pm to 1.45 pm
Location: Online – Zoom
Speaker: Dr Rodney Ronalds, Friends Civil Engineering
International Keynote Showcase: City Shaping in a Post COVID World
Run by Stormwater Victoria
Date: Thursday, 5th November 2020
Time: 10.30 am to 11.30 am
Location: Online – Zoom
Speaker: Dr Melanie Davern and Dr Sivajanani Sivaraja
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International Keynote Showcase: Exploring Green Roofs in Europe
Run by Stormwater Victoria
Date: Thursday, 12th November 2020
Time: 3.00 pm - 4.00 pm
Location: Online – Zoom
Speaker: Dusty Gedge
International Keynote Showcase:
Planning for Sustainability
Run by Stormwater Victoria
Date: Thursday, 19th November 2020
Time: 12.30 pm - 1.30 pm
Location: Online – Zoom
Speaker: Mindy Brooks
International Keynote Showcase:
Flood Resilience in the Netherlands
Run by Stormwater Victoria
Date: Thursday, 26th November 2020
12.30 pm - 1.30 pm
Location: Online – Zoom
Speaker: Prof. Chris Zevenbergen
Social Networking: Stormwater VIC Christmas Drinks
Run by Stormwater Victoria
Date: Thursday, 3rd December 2020
Time: TBA
Location: Online – Zoom
Speaker: Prof. Chris Zevenbergen
Registration Available Shortly
Stormwater 2021 National Conference
Run by Stormwater Australia
Date: 14th -16th April 2021
Location: Virtual Event
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If you are interested in contributing an article, upcoming industry event or news item to The Outlet e-newsletter, please send an email to president@stormwatervictoria.com.au. |
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Stormwater Victoria Major Sponsor: |
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