EMBRACING INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE TO TRANSFORM AOTEAROA’S STORMWATER MANAGEMENT – LESSONS FROM A WINSTON CHURCHILL FELLOWSHIP

J. Irvine (WSP)

ABSTRACT

Stormwater management in New Zealand has rapidly evolved over the last 20 years. The introduction of development controls and the integration of green infrastructure in our cities have become the norm. How stormwater effects are managed is now a key consideration of any significant development. The challenges of intensification, in an urban and rural setting, are now also better understood. However, problems continue to arise, and through improved understanding of the impacts and the true effectiveness of implemented measures, we are often realising that current practices are not sufficient or appropriate anymore.

As part of a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship, I had the opportunity to spend seven weeks meeting with industry leaders in Scandinavia and the United States of America in late 2023, understanding how other countries are managing their stormwater challenges, all for the purposes of sharing the learnings for the benefit of the industry in New Zealand. My travels took me to Stockholm, Copenhagen, Lemvig, Oslo, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Humboldt, Oxford, Denver, Boulder and Portland, offering varied approaches to stormwater related issues and opportunities.

This paper outlines learnings on where New Zealand stands in terms of stormwater management, the approaches of other cities and the key learnings of the fellowship. Learnings that include: the importance of an unwavering focus on the prevention of problems rather than the reliance on mitigation in light of the nature-based solutions catchphrase, clearly understanding the context of implemented measures undertaken elsewhere before adoption locally, the need for effective awareness and education initiatives, and the value of connecting people to water.

I believe New Zealand should investigate further the use of: green roofs, stormwater charging, maximising existing assets through the use of smart control, systems that require less maintenance, stream management corridors, and initiatives that improve water literacy and raise awareness of the issues.

My travels reinforced that likeminded practitioners are grappling with very similar stormwater management issues across the world. Sharing experiences, failures and learnings nationally and internationally is a key way in which we can bring about positive change in Aotearoa in relation to water management.

It is essential that we continue to improve our management practices by challenging the status quo and being open to doing things differently, for the benefit of our natural environment and local communities.