Water design project deferred

Council has deferred a Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) pilot project on the Woy Woy Peninsula.

The project, involving a full road and drainage reconstruction project, will be deferred until late next year or even 2006.

A council report recommended changes to the present $100 million trunk drainage strategy for the Peninsula on June 29.

It detailed how a more ecologically sustainable storm water management strategy, based on infiltration and the principles of WSUD could save council and ratepayers money and provide environmental benefits.

The council subsequently asked for a report on the feasibility of a pilot project on the Peninsula.

The council has now been told that possible sites were identified within the current capital works program.

However, full reconstruction was not proposed for the specified sites, which limited the potential for the installation of large-scale measures.

The council was told there were no feasible road reconstruction projects suitable for a large scale trial this financial year.

It was recommended that the pilot project be deferred until next year, 2006 or even 2007, when it was expected that a suitable full reconstruction project might become available.

Council at its meeting of November 2 also decided to prepare a floodplain risk management plan for a suitable area of the Peninsula using WSUD principles to provide a design for better roads, drainage, streetscape and urban design in all flat sandy areas.

The southern part of catchments in the area bounded by Melba St, Dunban Rd, Ocean Beach Rd and the railway line, was identified by council as an ideal study area.

The project could be undertaken as part of the Woy Woy, Umina, Ettalong Peninsula Flood Study.

This study has received grant funding of $10,000 under the Natural Disaster Risk Management Studies Program (NDRMSP).

If approved by DIPNR, the study could expected to be commissioned with a consultant later this financial year.

The council also decided to defer several other major trunk drainage works until the Floodplain Risk Management Plan was complete.

At that time, the trunk drainage strategy would be reviewed.

Council agenda EP.58, November 2