E-NEWSLETTER SEPTEMER 2024

Member Forum – ‘Are Drainage Scheme’s Still Relevant?’

The member forum titled ‘Are Drainage Scheme’s Still Relevant?’ was hosted last month by Stormwater Victoria (SV) in collaboration with Association of Land Development Engineers (ALDE). The session ignited impassioned discussion and debate amongst members, including venting of frustrations with the current state of play of Melbourne Water’s Development Services Scheme’s. Importantly, members were also able to identify and discuss constructive ideas to support Melbourne Water with the management and implementation of DSS’s.

The night began with drinks, canapes and light discussion and quickly jumped into the collaborative session led by the expert panellist Aaron Dowling (engineer), John Cicero (lawyer), Kate Matthews (town planner) and Dr. Jeremy Cheeseman (economist). Each panellist presented their perspective of the key issues and challenges facing DSS’s. The room then opened up to a lively discussion covering a wide range of DSS-related topics including (but not limited to):



• the purpose, flexibility and transparency of DSSs 
• Precinct Structure Plans and their influence on DSS’s
• how stormwater volume requirements can be met
• implementation of DSS’s under the Water Act
• accountability of the drainage authority
• pricing signals of the DSS
• challenges of temporary works

Suggestions on how various issues could be improved were discussed with key themes of collaboration, resourcing, implementation, transparency, allowing practical solutions with flexibility and improved leadership were emphasised. Some of the suggestions included implementing checks and balances via independent oversight, and a fundamental cultural shift within the sector. Issues were also noted with the misalignment between land budgets and engineering, poor implementation practices, and the need for early preparation and implementation of plans such as land acquisitions.

Overall, the event underscored a pressing need to consider improvements to how DSS’s are being implemented to better service development and stormwater practitioners. Stormwater Victoria will continue collaborating with our colleagues at ALDE to advocate for improved systems and processes to deliver outcomes for our members, the stormwater industry, the environment and the wider community.

Qualified Consultants are Invited to Submit a Proposal for the Development of Chapter 4 of VUDM

Submission Clarification Closes

5pm AEST, Friday, 30th September

E: president@stormwatervictoria.com.au

Submissions Close

5pm AEST, Monday, 7th October

E: office@stormwatervictoria.com.au

About the Victorian Urban Drainage Manual (VUDM)

Stormwater Victoria's VUDM project will provide a consolidated design manual to assist drainage/ stormwater practitioners and decision makers with designing, assessment and undertaking computations to achieve the design objectives and authority compliance. 

VUDM will consolidate the industry’s knowledge, guidelines and standards on drainage design into a single “How to” guide in an effort to provide some much needed clarity and support to stormwater professionals in Victoria. This will be an all-encompassing document allowing surface water professionals to follow a step-by-step drainage design regardless of project size, anywhere in Victoria. It will provide users the relevant drainage requirements including calculating hydrographs, designing conveyance and detention infrastructure and all things WSUD.

Submit your Expression of Interest

Stormwater Victoria (SV) seeks to engage a Supplier to assist in the development of the Victorian Urban Drainage Manual (VUDM) specifically the Stormwater Management Planning and Investigation - Chapter 4 and a number of sub tasks. The objectives of Chapter 4 are to:

• Provide definition and requirements of a Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP)
• Outline requirements of a SWMP based on a risk and regulatory framework basis
• Define investigation requirements for each type of development

To download the full Expression of Interest document, please click on the links below:

For more information regarding the Stormwater Victoria VUDM Expression of Interest please contact the Stormwater Victoria President, Alice Lisitsa via email at president@stormwatervictoria.com.au or call the Stormwater Victoria Secretariat on +61 2 9744 5252.

Meet SV Committee Member

Karl Velasco

Meet Karl Velasco, one of our committee members this year. Karl has been a fantastic addition to the Stormwater Vic committee, and we are pleased to provide everyone with a chance to learn more about Karl and his interesting professional journey!

What was your career path that led you to working as an Engineer in the stormwater space?

I am a Swinburne University graduate. As part of the curriculum, I had the opportunity to work within the industry during my penultimate year and was fortunate to land a job at Melbourne Water for 12 months as a Catchment Planner. This opportunity set the path of my career. I remember being fortunate to be able to contribute on some of the largest drainage master planning that was happening at the time and that it was technically challenging and rewarding as a young professional. 

What is your favourite aspect of working at your current work place (SMEC)? And how about the most challenging?

I work on a diverse range of projects from urban developments, large infrastructures like road and railways and some international hydropower projects, to name a few. This aspect of my job is my favourite part as it allows me to broaden my understanding of stormwater applications in different context and regions. It also keeps me engaged as no two projects are the same. This is also the most challenging part of the job as you are constantly learning and never fully comfortable. 

What is the most important career learning you think the stormwater industry needs to understand?

When I came to the industry in circa 2010s, I was lucky enough to have worked with a some of the most experienced and knowledgeable professionals in the stormwater industry. As time goes on and you find your way in your career, these experts eventually move on and retire, and you no longer get the same opportunity to benefit and listen to their words of wisdom or tap into their breadth of knowledge. The stormwater industry is continually transitioning and growing, and the knowledge we need is becoming increasingly complex. We should all strive to respect and attain past knowledge where ever available so that the knowledge is not lost, can progress and be passed on forward to the next generation.

How do you see your role evolving?

In my current role as Discipline Lead - Urban Stormwater, I am responsible for leading a team of engineers. This role involves technical leadership, and I am eager to further develop my leadership skills. 

What is your favourite stormwater feature / recreational spot you like to visit?

I have an impulsive urge to visit open drains, creeks or rivers during or after a major storm event. I don’t think this is unique to me. Maribyrnong River and Stony Creek are close to my home, and visit them often. My family enjoys the walking trails around them.

Awards for Excellence 2024 Winners - Project Summary Presentation Webinar

SV Vic conducted an Award for Excellence winners’ presentation webinar on 27 August 2024. Project Winners in various categories:

2024 Winner of Excellence in Integrated Stormwater Design

Murrk Ngubitj Yarram Yaluk (formerly Bellarine Basin) Transformation

2024 Winner of Excellence in Policy or Education

Flood management capacity building training program

2024 Winner of Excellence in Asset Management

A little litter goes a long way: Innovation in litter assessments

2024 Winner of Excellence in Strategic or Master Planning

Kingston's Integrated Water Strategy - Planning for Climate & Future Growth

2024 Winner of Excellence in Research and Innovation

MUSICX automation and optimisation to test harvesting targets across Melbourne

If you are keen to listen to the recorded session of the webinar, Please find link to the webinar session below.

Events and Resources

EEA & Clearwater partnered delivery: Construction Hold Points for Water Sensitive Urban Design 

When: Tuesday, 15th Oct 2024 - Thursday 17th Oct 2024

Time: 9:00AM - 12:00PM

Where: Online

Partnered Delivery

Clearwater and Engineers Australia Education Program (EEA) are running a partnership delivery of Clearwater’s popular Construction Hold Points for Water Sensitive Design (WSUD) training.

EEA will host the online training over two, three-hour sessions. Construction Hold Points for Bioretention Assets will be held on October 15 and Construction Hold Points for Wetlands on October 17.

This course aims to increase knowledge of WSUD and Integrated Water Management in the engineering sector and will provide engineers with the opportunity to build up Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. This training is open to Engineers Australia members and non-members.

IPWEA & Clearwater partnered delivery: Stormwater Management Foundations

Partnered Delivery

The Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia and Clearwater have partnered to provide a Stormwater Management Foundations course package designed for engineers, technical officers and works supervisors. 

Learning Outcomes

• Participants will develop a deeper understanding of the complexities, challenges & opportunities in stormwater management
• This new foundational-level knowledge will enhance cross-sectoral and cross-departmental collaboration to deliver better stormwater outcomes for our communities

Understanding and Applying Victoria's Stormwater Planning Requirements (Online) November 2024

When: Wednesday, 13th Nov 2024

Time: 9:30AM - 4:30PM

Where: Online - Zoom

Course overview:

The Victorian Government expanded state wide stormwater planning controls in October 2018 to help protect our waterways, prevent flooding and divert more rainfall / stormwater to our parks and reserves.  A broader range of development types are now required to meet Victorian stormwater planning requirements. This course is designed to help planners and engineers understand the links between water and cities, learn about the role and scope of the new statewide controls, and gain confidence in assessing planning applications in a way that best achieves our new stormwater objectives.

Flood Strategy knowledge sharing and capacity building sessions

The Flood Management Strategy Port Phillip and Westernport 2021 – 2031 was developed via a co-design engagement process with local government and key agencies. It was acknowledged through the development of the strategy that various councils have different levels of skills and expertise. Identification of the skill gaps and running of a program to bridge the key gaps is vital for effective planning and management of flooding in the region. Melbourne Water are delivering on action 1.6 – run capacity building programs for partners to improve data capture, modelling and interpretation of information in the Flood Strategy. Register for an upcoming session below, or view recordings from past sessions which can be shared with colleagues.