Never Wasting Water
Extreme events bringing the city closer together towards planning in partnership
In the past two decades, Brisbane has experienced the millennium drought (1995 – 2009) and two significant floods (2011 and 2013), and as a subtropical city it is also affected by frequent and severe storms. These experiences have driven Brisbane to adapt, recover and thrive in the face of these climatic events. Brisbane City Council is working closely with local stakeholders to achieve a vision of a clean and green city, increasing the use of natural assets and implementing adaptation measures for flood and sea level rise.
The floods and droughts in Brisbane have highlighted the importance of managing water at all stages of the water cycle and have reshaped Brisbane’s relationship with water. With community education strategies and sharpened government policies on water conservation, recycling, and reuse, Brisbane has become a city of water savers. One significant success story is that Brisbane residents reduced their water consumption from 300 to 127 litres per day during the Millennium Drought (Brisbane’s Total Water Cycle Management Plan).
Do you want to know more about Brisbane's Water-Wise Story?
Contact IWA Members in Brisbane to learn about their water-wise activities
Brisbane’s Water Vision and Challenges
Brisbane has come a long way on the water wise journey. From a small outpost that struggled to provide its residents with clean drinking water during the early 1800s, Brisbane has become a sophisticated city that manages water at all stages of the water cycle and is known for its leading edge management of water in flood and drought.
Water defines Brisbane as a river city. It provides a sense of place through 4,000 kilometres of waterways; that supports the population, biodiversity and extensive natural areas. Brisbane is renowned for its riverside location, subtropical climate and friendly relaxed lifestyle – all of which attract businesses, workers, students and tourists from across the world.
Brisbane City Council’s long term vision is for Brisbane to be one of the cleanest and greenest of the world’s capital cities. That, “our subtropical open spaces and natural areas provide breathing spaces for the city” and “our river, creeks and bay are enhanced, protected and enjoyed by all.” Find out more about what your council and you can do towards the Brisbane Vision 2031.
Integrated management of world class natural resources is an essential approach for a resilient and liveable city like Brisbane.
Case Study: Norman Creek catchment
The Norman Creek catchment is one of the city’s most urbanised places, separated from the CBD only by the Brisbane River. Council’s Norman Creek 2012-2031 Master Plan acknowledges the rich urban fabric of the catchment. This is achieved by providing new opportunities to bring nature back into the area by re-establishing natural processes and reconnecting communities with their waterways. The Master Plan is not just about rejuvenating local waterways, but also about achieving multiple outcomes for the city, from strengthening the economy; to improving access and inclusion for all residents, all of which is based on the one principle; designing with water in mind.
4 Levels of Action - Brisbane’s Progress Towards the Principles
Regenerative Water Services
• Focus on water quality for ecosystem improvement and protection.
• Multiple rehabilitation works along our waterways and open water bodies to support long term water body improvements.
• Mapping of groundwater dependent ecosystems in 2014 to better understand where surface water replenishes aquifers.
• Water saving campaigns initiated over 10 years ago has resulted in sustained water savings (up to 130 litres/person/day).
• New approaches to fit-for-purpose water supplies delivered.
• In 2008, a storm water harvesting program commenced.
• 90,000 rainwater tanks provided to residents via a rebate process from 2005-2008.
• Integrated regional and local planning to ensure water supply and treatment infrastructure is sequenced with new developments.
• A restructured regional water governance model from water collection to water delivery.
• New networks for flood mitigation engaged post 2011 flood, including back flow devices, drainage upgrades, removal of at risk properties and better communication allowing customers to make informed property acquisition choices.
• Regional interconnected network of water storages, water treatment plants and distribution lines since 2008, has provided resilience to changes and shocks to any one part of the system.
Water Sensitive Urban Design
• New networks for flood mitigation engaged post 2011 flood, including back flow devices, drainage upgrades, removal of at risk properties and better communication allowing customers to make informed property acquisition choices.
• Regional interconnected network of water storages, water treatment plants and distribution lines since 2008, has provided resilience to changes and shocks to any one part of the system.
• Changes to planning provisions support flexibility in reducing flood impact on urban spaces, business, and residences.
• Specifically designed urban spaces created to support both community and flooding values that reflect the principle of ’designing with water in mind’.
• Water as a major focus with fountains emerging through the city.
• New projects providing access for the community to enjoy water including new planning and strategy development (Rivers Edge Strategy) and public infrastructure - Riverwalk.
Basin Connected Cities
• Brisbane is now part of the new South-East Queensland water grid which allows transfer of water across water catchments.
• Initiated a $15 million Stormwater Harvesting Program that now provides 400ML of water each year for sports field irrigation.
• Investment in Healthy Waterways and Catchment Program to reduce sediment load and litter to our waterways.
• Party to the Resilient Rivers Initiative to support catchment-wide waterway repair.
• Delivered Council’s Creek Filtration Systems to support cleaner waterways.
• Planning provisions that support hazard based planning and resident decision making.
• Major investment in rebuilding flood resistant infrastructure after 2011 floods eg, purpose built ferry terminals.
• Creation of Disaster Management Office to coordinate activity during, and post, extreme events.
Water-Wise Communities
• Twenty year involvement with catchment group participation and action to improve the health of waterways.
• Community engaged in catchment vision setting and master planning.
• Multidisciplinary virtual teams created as needed to deliver complex projects such as the Norman Creek Masterplan.
• Council has been a partner and a proud supporter of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Water Sensitive Cities since 2014.
• The development of a regional water distribution and retail utility with ability to deliver integrated network planning.
• WaterSmart Strategy and Total Water Cycle Management Plan providing commitment to integrated water policy and planning.
• Policy makers seek integrated policy outcomes across the water agenda.
• Motivate to seek integrated outcomes for the City based on strong policy platforms of water sustainability, flood management, healthy waterways and water communication.
• Invest in the development of water knowledge and seek new approaches to long standing water issues.
Blog posts
Latest opinions and insights relevant to the water sector
