A lot of catchment and stormwater planning has already occurred. So it makes sense to check out existing plans:
- as a context for land use planning and engineering infrastructure design, and
- before you begin a new planning effort.
In New South Wales (Australia), explore:
- The planning context for water
- Land Use Plans - LEPs and DCPs
- Council Management Plans
The planning context for Water
Catchment planning
10 year Catchment Action Plans have been prepared by Catchment Management Authorities across NSW. These statutory bodies, established under the Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003 (CMA Act), coordinate natural resource management (NRM) in each catchment. Their boards report to the NSW Minister for Natural Resources. The CMAs are responsible for involving regional communities in managing the NRM issues. Key roles include preparing Catchment Action Plans (CAPs) and managing incentive programs to implement the plans. The preparation of CAPs involves integrating previous work with the latest information and science and with local knowledge.
River and Groundwater
NSW Water Sharing Plans (Department of Water and Energy) are implemented under the NSW Water Management Act 2000; they regulate rural water use. They are an important catchment management tool.
Urban Water
The Metropolitan Water Plan – Securing Sydney’s water future (Water for Life)
The metropolitan water strategy is intended to provide direction for both sourcing and managing a sustainable water supply for Sydney for the next 25 years. It is available on this site as a pdf download.
Stormwater Management Plans
Councils in NSW were required by the State Government (via a formal direction from the then NSW EPA) to prepare Stormwater Management Plans. They provide useful context for local stormwater management! Many are available on line. Outline of the Stormwater Management Planning process (from the then NSW EPA).
The NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change is publishing a series on Managing Urban Stormwater. The Council Handbook provides guidance to councils and other stormwater managers on preparing stormwater management plans.
Estuary Management Plans
The Department of Natural Resources administers an Estuary Management Program, where local communities and councils develop and implement their own Estuary Management Plans to restore and protect estuaries. The program focuses on improving or maintaining the overall health and functioning of an estuary, and maintaining the environmental, economic, recreational and aesthetic values of the whole system.
Local Environmental Plans and Development Control Plans
Councils prepare and submit Local Environmental Plans and Development Control Plans to the NSW Department of Planning for approval. These planning tools guide council's local planning decisions. See:
Planning Resources (NSW - iPlan) links to a large number of land use planning documents
NSW Land Use Planning (Urbanwater.info)
Links to State Environmental Planning Policies, Regional Environmental Plans, Local Environmental Plans and Development Control Plans.
Water Sensitive Urban Design Planning Instruments (NSW; Urbanwater.info)
Council Management Plans
Council Management Plans often include catchment and stormwater management commitments.
