Award-winning engineers Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec (WGA) have constructed a drainage system to prioritise environmental conservation at Newenham.
The environmental sponges represent a strong focus on environmental design through ecosystem services, stormwater treatment, minimising impacts to the natural environment, and showcasing how Newenham can create a more sustainable, green, and liveable urban development.
WGA was engaged by Burke Urban to prepare a stormwater management master plan for Newenham, which aimed to meet stormwater treatment standards defined by the Mount Barker District Council and the EPA, with a focus on environmental sustainability and best practice design.
These environmental sponges are positioned at various locations around Newenham to manage water catchment and allow smaller, more frequent flows. The drainage system catches runoff water from roads and drains and then filters it using soil and plants before returning it to the adjacent creek.
The concept of the ecological sponges was developed by WGA Engineer Joe La Spina, who commended Burke Urban on their sustainability. “Burke Urban has a keen interest in environmental sustainability and greening within the urban development. Burke Urban were supportive of this idea to innovate through the use of ecological sponges. This project demonstrates that stormwater can support greening, liveability, and ecosystem services within a new urban development,” said Joe.
Burke Urban Projects Director, Damien Collins said the idea of the environmental sponges fits with Burke Urban’s values, “Our philosophy of enriching the health and happiness of our residents and the wider Hills community whilst also providing a sustainable project that enhances the natural assets of the land, is shared by all of those delivering the project at Newenham. This includes the collaborative efforts between Burke Urban and WGA, who were also recognised in 2019 with an Award for Excellence in Sustainable Water Management for this project.”
“This pioneering sustainable water management system focuses on environmental protection, enhancement, ecosystem services, and biodiversity, all of which are fundamental to Newenham’s philosophy, Designed for Wellbeing.”
Other benefits and functions of the sponges include the treatment of stormwater runoff from the urban development, ensuring the creek is protected, preventing pollution of the creek, preventing the increased risk of erosion along the creek due to the urban development, enhancing the environmental habitat for flora and fauna and to provide a buffer between the urban development and the natural environment of the Western Flat Creek.
With growth areas in the region predicted to generate an additional 4GL of stormwater by 2040, the excess water could also destroy urban streams that form part of the township, making these systems all the more valuable.
WGA Engineers have won two industry awards for excellence for their stormwater management strategy for the development of the environmental sponges.
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