'Six Streams' Integrated water management strategy: Blacktown CITY council
Case study: A strategic approach to water management through six core values
Wave Consulting Australia developed Blacktown City Council’s Integrated Water Management (IWM) Strategy, referred to as Six Streams to reflect the multiple benefits and actions within the strategy. The strategy reviews all elements of the urban water cycle, and sets out a strategic approach to managing water, in partnership with other agencies, to create a more liveable city, with specific targets to be achieved by 2036.
IWM strategy
Darug lands, NSW
Key facts
Urbanisation and urban heat mitigation are the two biggest influences on the future of water-flows and management of assets for Blacktown City
Between 2016 and 2036, there is forecast to be:
+150,000 people
+55,000 new dwellings
+ 40 sq. kms of imperviousness
Blacktown is the largest LGA by population in New South Wales
The problem
In response to ongoing urban development and a need to address a declared state of climate emergency, Blacktown City Council needed to develop an Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) Strategy.
This strategy aims to establish a well-defined, measurable framework that will guide the council's organisational commitment to sustainable urban water management.
The collaboration seeks to drive transformative change and foster innovation to achieve sustainable waterway health and enhance overall liveability outcomes within the Blacktown City Council area. Through this strategic approach, the council aims to address the challenges posed by the climate emergency and ensure a sustainable and resilient future for the community.
“Wave developed our first integrated water strategy in late 2020 through a very comprehensive engagement process with all parts of council, and drafted actions to guide the council to a more water sensitive response to the huge large volume of urban development in our LGA, that will deliver significant benefits to our waterways and community.”
The solution
Six Streams strategic water management
Wave Consulting Australia developed a comprehensive document named Six Streams, which thoroughly examines various facets of the urban water cycle and presents a strategic approach to water management.
The Six Streams project is based on six core values:
amenity and quality of life
hidden waterways
climate and urban heat
urban growth servicing
affordability
city competitiveness.
Water modelling projections
The strategy document included modelling projections which revealed:
64% increase in potable water usage
11% reduction in evaporation over the next 20 years
55% surge in stormwater runoff
discharge of 13GL of treated wastewater into creeks from wastewater treatment plants.
Strategic actions and roadmap
To address these challenges, the document outlined 27 specific actions that focus on water infrastructure, environmental concerns, and social factors in the city. These actions were categorised into long-term and short-to-medium-term goals.
This provided a roadmap for achieving desired outcomes and advancing the city's water management objectives.
The outcome
Wave Consulting Australia presented the Blacktown City Council with a series of actions that effectively address key challenges in water infrastructure, environmental concerns, and social aspects within the city.
Out of the 27 actions proposed, 18 could be implemented within the existing operational budget and the Environmental Stormwater Management Program (ESMP).
However, nine actions require additional funding, with two specifically aimed at attracting external funding sources.
This strategic approach places Blacktown City at the forefront of sustainable urban development and fosters the creation of liveable communities. By implementing this strategy, the city aims to enhance its appeal as a desirable place to reside and work, while maintaining its reputation as a leader in urban water management.
The Six streams integrated water strategy is now published on the Blacktown City Council website.
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