Congratulations to the City of Casey and Engeny Water Management for winning the Stormwater Victoria People’s Choice Award for the Integrated Stormwater Management Strategy for the Casey Western Port Green Wedge.
The desire to reduce allowable minimum lot sizes to accommodate additional land subdivision emerged as a major concern for many Western Port Green Wedge residents. The City of Casey initiated a planning review to determine if further development and subdivision should be allowed or encouraged within the Western Port Green Wedge. To inform Council’s decision numerous specialist studies were commissioned, including an integrated water management strategy. The integrated water management strategy examined a number of potential subdivision and development scenarios. Each scenario was assessed against its impact in the following:
- Western Port as a Ramsar listed wetland
- Surface water quality and flow regimes
- Peak flood levels
- Coastal inundation
- Groundwater use
- Potable water use and wastewater disposal
- Acid sulphate soils
The water management strategy quantified the impact of proposed development on each of the above criterion. With the information provided in this report and the other expert studies Council concluded that widespread increased levels of subdivision cannot be supported. The investigation also allowed Council to explain and justify its decision to the community.
Photo from left to right – Glenn Ottrey (Engeny), Warren Smith (Casey), Daniel Fokkens (Casey) Lisa Neville (State Water Minister), Jamie Tainton (President Stormwater Victoria)
