E2Designlab were engaged by Sunbury Hills Pty Ltd to develop the stormwater management strategy and Integrated Water Management Plan for Everley Estate – a significant development of approximately 1900 new homes along the escarpment of Jacksons Creek in Sunbury.
Jacksons Creek is well known for its unique high values and sensitive networks of waterway tributaries. A more traditional approach to stormwater servicing and integrated water management for development of this scale would result in catastrophic damage to such sensitive systems. Through a combination of carefully designed multi-functional WSUD assets and at-source interventions, E2Designlab has pioneered the rollout of a regional stormwater harvesting scheme and integrated stormwater solution that is underpinned by the need to minimise stormwater excess and protect the downstream waterways.
The development will deliver a formalised urban waterway along a steep and highly erosive tributary that incorporates stormwater treatment, stabilisation, protection of geomorphic values and establishment of high value native vegetation. The waterway will feed an end of line wetland treatment system that will also function as storage for the regional stormwater harvesting network, supporting nearby habitats for the threatened Growling Grass Frog. This approach has been replicated at several other multi-functional wetland locations within the Jacksons Creek floodplain, enabling the development to proceed while securing the protection of this important waterway system. At-source interventions, such as the trial rollout of an improved design for passively irrigated street trees along key boulevard and escarpment roads will provide additional volume and quality control to stormwater while creating a cooler and greener streetscape for future residents to enjoy. Irrigation of a new regional open space facility with recycled water will further contribute to urban heat mitigation and provide a valuable alternative water source to reduce the estate's demand for new potable resources.
Our team developed a responsive delivery strategy for the development with designs incorporating appropriate triggers for construction of infrastructure, ensuring the receiving waterways are protected through all stages of construction.
