Tools Available and Practical Application to Manage Stormwater in Brownfield Development

Auckland is changing the way it grows. The draft Auckland Unitary Plan promotes a better quality of life for all Aucklanders, with the goal of creating the world’s most liveable city by encouraging access to more housing choice, as well as greater opportunities for recreation and leisure activities for all. The plan places an emphasis on the importance of building stronger, more inclusive communities around Auckland’s Town and Local centres which are served by efficient, frequent and reliable public transport. The challenge is to provide brownfield development which also provides a sense of community that meets the stormwater management and treatment required by Council.

To achieve the goal of a quality compact city, developers and council will need to continue to innovate in its management of stormwater.

This discussion paper presents tools available to guide development’s stormwater treatment and management within urban areas.

An example of how existing tools can be integrated in an example development within Auckland’s urban area which will show how integrated design can provide multiple benefits including:

• Population density increase with the provision of quality housing;
• Quality open space;
• Reduce stormwater peak flows of the developed catchment; and
• Reduce reticulated water consumption.