Victorian planning requirements for stormwater management - Online Navigator Tool

Is your application for:

Determining your zone

If you are unsure of the zoning of your site, access the VicPlan tool administered by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. By using the search function and entering in your address, you can generate your own planning property report setting out applicable zones, overlays, utilities and other useful information. If you are still unsure of the relevant zone, please contact your local council.

Victoria's Planning Provisions provide details on the uses, permit and application requirements, decision guidelines and other information relevant to each zone.

Is the application to subdivide land into lots each containing an existing dwelling or car parking space?

Is the application to subdivide land into lots each containing an existing dwelling or car parking space?

Is the application any of the following?

• A VicSmart application?
• An application to subdivide land in a residential zone for residential purposes?
• An application to construct or extend a dwelling, fence or residential building in a residential zone?
• An application for development associated with the use of land for agriculture or earth and energy resources industry?
• An application to construct a building or construct or carry out works associated with one dwelling on a lot?
• An application to alter, extend or make structural changes to an existing building provided the gross floor area of the building is not increased by more than 50 square metres?
• An application to construct a building with a gross floor area not exceeding 50 square metres?
• An application to construct or carry out works with an area not exceeding 50 square metres?
• An application to subdivide land into lots each containing an existing building or car parking space?
• An application to construct a building or to construct or carry out works on a lot if all of the following requirements are met:
  • The lot as created in accordance with a permit granted under this planning scheme?
  • The application for that permit was assessed against the requirements of this clause?
• An application for land affected by a development plan or incorporated plan that was approved or incorporated in this planning scheme before the approval date of Amendment VC154?
• An application lodged before the approval date of Amendment VC154?

What is your application type?

Is the application any of the following?

• A VicSmart application?
• An application to subdivide land in a residential zone for residential purposes?
• An application to construct or extend a dwelling, fence or residential building in a residential zone?
• An application for development associated with the use of land for agriculture or earth and energy resources industry?
• An application to construct a building or construct or carry out works associated with one dwelling on a lot?
• An application to alter, extend or make structural changes to an existing building provided the gross floor area of the building is not increased by more than 50 square metres?
• An application to construct a building with a gross floor area not exceeding 50 square metres?
• An application to construct or carry out works with an area not exceeding 50 square metres?
• An application to subdivide land into lots each containing an existing building or car parking space?
• An application to construct a building or to construct or carry out works on a lot if all of the following requirements are met:
  • The lot was created in accordance with a permit granted under this planning scheme?
  • The application for that permit was assessed against the requirements of this clause?
• An application for land affected by a development plan or incorporated plan that was approved or incorporated in this planning scheme before the approval date of Amendment VC154?
• An application lodged before the approval date of Amendment VC154?
• In a Farming Zone, Green Wedge Zone, Green Wedge A Zone, Low Density Residential Zone, Public Conservation and Resource Zone, Road Zone, Rural Activity Zone, Rural Conservation Zone, Rural Living Zone, Urban Floodway Zone or Urban Growth Zone?

Determining your zone

If you are unsure of the zoning of your site, access the VicPlan tool administered by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. By using the search function and entering in your address, you can generate your own planning property report setting out applicable zones, overlays, utilities and other useful information. If you are still unsure of the relevant zone, please contact your local council.

Victoria's Planning Provisions provide details on the uses, permit and application requirements, decision guidelines and other information relevant to each zone.

What Zone Is The Development In?

Is the application any of the following?

• A VicSmart application?
• An application to subdivide land in a residential zone for residential purposes?
• An application to construct or extend a dwelling, fence or residential building in a residential zone?
• An application for development associated with the use of land for agriculture or earth and energy resources industry?
• An application to construct a building or construct or carry out works associated with one dwelling on a lot?
• An application to alter, extend or make structural changes to an existing building provided the gross floor area of the building is not increased by more than 50 square metres?
• An application to construct a building with a gross floor area not exceeding 50 square metres?
• An application to construct or carry out works with an area not exceeding 50 square metres?
• An application to subdivide land into lots each containing an existing building or car parking space?
• An application to construct a building or to construct or carry out works on a lot if all of the following requirements are met:
  • The lot was created in accordance with a permit granted under this planning scheme?
  • The application for that permit was assessed against the requirements of this clause?
• An application for land affected by a development plan or incorporated plan that was approved or incorporated in this planning scheme before the approval date of Amendment VC154?
• An application lodged before the approval date of Amendment VC154?
• In a Farming Zone, Green Wedge Zone, Green Wedge A Zone, Low Density Residential Zone, Public Conservation and Resource Zone, Road Zone, Rural Activity Zone, Rural Conservation Zone, Rural Living Zone, Urban Floodway Zone or Urban Growth Zone?

Determining your zone

If you are unsure of the zoning of your site, access the VicPlan tool administered by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. By using the search function and entering in your address, you can generate your own planning property report setting out applicable zones, overlays, utilities and other useful information. If you are still unsure of the relevant zone, please contact your local council.

Victoria's Planning Provisions provide details on the uses, permit and application requirements, decision guidelines and other information relevant to each zone.

Is your application in one of the following zones?

• Neighbourhood Residential Zone
• General Residential Zone
• Residential Growth Zone
• Mixed Use Zone
• Township Zone

Is the application any of the following?

• A VicSmart application?
• An application to subdivide land in a residential zone for residential purposes?
• An application to construct or extend a dwelling, fence or residential building in a residential zone?
• An application for development associated with the use of land for agriculture or earth and energy resources industry?
• An application to construct a building or construct or carry out works associated with one dwelling on a lot?
• An application to alter, extend or make structural changes to an existing building provided the gross floor area of the building is not increased by more than 50 square metres?
• An application to construct a building with a gross floor area not exceeding 50 square metres?
• An application to construct or carry out works with an area not exceeding 50 square metres?
• An application to subdivide land into lots each containing an existing building or car parking space?
• An application to construct a building or to construct or carry out works on a lot if all of the following requirements are met:
  • The lot was created in accordance with a permit granted under this planning scheme?
  • The application for that permit was assessed against the requirements of this clause?
• An application for land affected by a development plan or incorporated plan that was approved or incorporated in this planning scheme before the approval date of Amendment VC154?
• An application lodged before the approval date of Amendment VC154?
• In a Farming Zone, Green Wedge Zone, Green Wedge A Zone, Low Density Residential Zone, Public Conservation and Resource Zone, Road Zone, Rural Activity Zone, Rural Conservation Zone, Rural Living Zone, Urban Floodway Zone or Urban Growth Zone?

Statewide stormwater planning provisions do not apply to this application.

A stormwater assessment based on these statewide stormwater planning provisions is NOT required as part of the planning application.

However, further to statewide stormwater planning provisions, there may be Council-specific planning requirements for stormwater management that apply. It is also to be noted that, under VPP Clause 65.01, Council is required to consider the impact of stormwater discharges and for the applicant to demonstrate the proposed development is “designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site” or other relevant matters set out in the relevant zone.

It is recommended that the applicant confirm any additional Council-specific stormwater management requirements directly with the relevant local council as part of pre-application discussions.

There are multiple benefits of implementing Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) on your site. WSUD systems such as raingardens, swales and rainwater tanks can allow you to more sustainably manage stormwater run-off on your site, provide water for reuse and urban greening, and reduce impacts from the quality and quantity of stormwater run-off on our urban waterways.

Visit the Additional Resources and FAQs for a full range of best practice guidelines and reference material.

If you have any feedback on this tool or would like to contact the Clearwater team, please email us.

This is the final step in the Online Navigator Tool

The information contained on this page can be downloaded for future reference using the Print PDF button below.

Applicable stormwater planning provisions

The VPP clauses contain both objectives and standards. Objectives describe the desired outcome to be achieved and the standard contains the requirements to meet the objectives.

Statewide stormwater planning provisions applicable to the application include:

• Clause 56.07-4 - Stormwater management objectives and associated standards, and
• Clause 56.08 - Site Management objectives and associated standards

Note that, further to statewide stormwater planning provisions, there may be Council-specific planning requirements for stormwater management that also apply. It is recommended that this be confirmed directly with the relevant local council as part of pre-application discussions. It is also noted that there is a general planning requirement for applications to demonstrate how they have been designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site (Clause 65.01).

There are multiple benefits of implementing Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) on your site. WSUD systems such as raingardens, swales and rainwater tanks can allow you to more sustainably manage stormwater run-off on your site, provide water for reuse and urban greening, and reduce impacts from the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff on our urban waterways.

Visit the Additional Resources and FAQs page for a full range of best practice guidelines and reference material.

Clause 56.07-4 Stormwater Management Objectives

• To minimise damage to properties and inconvenience to residents from stormwater
• To ensure that the street operates adequately during major storm events and provides for public safety
• To minimise increases in stormwater and protect the environmental values and physical characteristics of receiving waters from degradation by stormwater
• To encourage stormwater management that maximises the retention and reuse of stormwater
• To encourage stormwater management that contributes to cooling, local habitat improvements and provision of attractive and enjoyable spaces

Clause 56.08 Site Management Objectives

• To protect drainage infrastructure and receiving waters from sedimentation and contamination
• To protect the site and surrounding area from environmental degradation or nuisance prior to and during construction of subdivision works
• To encourage the reuse of materials from the site and recycled materials in the construction of subdivisions where practicable

Under Clause 65.01, Council may consider how a proposed development is designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site. Council may specify permit conditions requiring submission and approval of a site management plan demonstrating how erosion and sediment run-off to drains is to be managed during construction to meet this requirement.

Preparing a Stormwater Report

1. Design considerations

The best choice of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) treatment system for the development depends on several criteria:

• Development size (i.e. the larger the impervious area of the development, the more stormwater it generates and therefore the larger the treatment system needs to be)
• Treatment efficiency (i.e. the ability of the system to meet current best practice performance objectives and any other relevant requirements).
• Constructability (i.e. available space, position, slope, soil type, interaction with other services)
• Ease of operation/maintenance (i.e. checking for blockages, cleaning, servicing pumps, weed control, removing sediment, safety)
• Costs (i.e. cost to construct, operate and maintain the treatment system)

Submitting a stormwater report (typically prepared by a qualified professional) with your planning application will assist council planners to assess compliance with the relevant planning provisions. A stormwater report should contain detailed information on:

• Your proposed development
• Site layout plan, catchment areas and water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatment systems
• Modelling to demonstrate compliance with current best practice performance objectives
• Functional design consideration
• Site management plan; and
• Asset maintenance program

Further resources for each of these points are listed below.

2. Planning permit considerations

When designing stormwater management systems we advise a pre-application discussion between the applicant and their local council, as other planning provisions and local planning policies may be relevant. Some councils may also provide an alternative option of paying a partial or full offset payment in lieu of on-site treatment.

Permit application requirements may vary for different development types and from council to council. Some councils may only request a site layout plan showing the WSUD treatment systems proposed and demonstration that there is space to accommodate such treatment and that it satisfies all VPP objectives and standards.

Applicants are strongly recommended to discuss requirements with their local council and referral authorities before preparing their Planning Permit Application.

Contact details for local councils in Victoria.

Resources to support development of a stormwater report

Stormwater site layout plan, catchment areas and WSUD treatment systems

• Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management (BPEM) Guidelines (CSIRO) - designed to meet the needs of people involved in the planning, design or management of urban land uses or stormwater drainage systems
• Options for treating stormwater using WSUD (Melbourne Water) - Find out more about water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatments and choose one or more that best suit your needs
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (CSIRO) - Practical engineering solutions to those who need to implement WSUD
• Hume City Council Industrial Stormwater Code of Practice - provides requirements and guidance for stormwater management on industrial sites. It applies to industrial and warehousing businesses, including businesses that are leasing properties
• Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - South Eastern Councils (Melbourne Water) - provides design and maintenance procedures, typical drawings, design checklists, landscape requirements, worked examples and case studies

Modelling to demonstrate compliance

• MUSIC is a computer model representing a project or catchment area, the drainage connections and a series of stormwater treatments. It simulates rainfall and runoff at six-minute intervals over at least one year, and then treatment by sediment basins, wetlands and other water sensitive urban design measures.
  • Purchase MUSIC from eWater (training courses also available).
  • Melbourne Water’s MUSIC Guidelines provides guidance on modelling approaches and input parameters for MUSIC models submitted to Melbourne Water
  • MUSIC Auditor Tool - as part of the assessment of the development application the assessor can use this tool to review the MUSIC file submitted
• STORM - The general public can use the STORM calculator to design small residential and commercial developments, ensuring they achieve the stormwater treatment objectives required by state and local government planning provisions.
• Insite Water - website toolkit designed for single lots on sites up to 1 ha. Guides you through every part of Best Practice StormwaterManagement design

Functional design considerations

• Clearwater Tool for Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - provides an overview of a selection of some of the best available WSUD guidelines
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (eBook, Melbourne Water) - Practical engineering solutions for those who need to implement WSUD
• Adoption guidelines for stormwater biofiltration systems (previously called the FAWB Adoption Guidelines) - have been prepared by the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities to assist in the development of biofiltration systems
• Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) - contains specific design standards for WSUD systems. Regional and rural councils have provided preferences for WSUD within their area
• Moreland City Council’s Streetscape raingarden and tree pit design package - provides a suite of design elements and standard drawings to assist in the efficient design and successful implementation of raingardens and tree pit projects
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands
• Trees for Cooler and Greener Streetscapes (DELWP) – Guidelines for streetscape planning and design
• MW Raingarden Fact Sheets - Raingarden designs and resources to build your own raingarden along with examples across Melbourne

Site management plan

• Reducing erosion and sedimentation risk: Guidelines for industry (EPA website) - presents a risk-based approach to preventing and minimising impacts from erosion and sedimentation
• Construction techniques for sediment pollution control (1991, EPA publication 275) – helps protect the environment while increasing construction efficiencies and reducing land development costs
• Keeping our stormwater clean - a builder's guide (2006, Melbourne Water) – suitable for lot scale developments
• Site Environmental Management Plan kit (Melbourne Water) - provides land developers, consultants and contractors with a step by step process for developing a comprehensive site specific Environmental Management Plan for subdivision construction sites
• Construction - Guide to preventing harm to people and the environment (2020, EPA publication 1820) - outlines how to manage the risks in construction, provides an outline of your legal obligations, what actions you can take to comply with the new laws and contains a list of common hazards and information about how to manage waste. The guide does not tell you about the controls to put in place to suit your circumstances.
• Civil construction, building and demolition guide (2020, EPA publication 1834) - supports industry to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm to human health and the environment through good environmental practice. It provides an overview of the duties under the new laws, outlines a risk based to approach for assessing and managing risks, and includes information on controls that you can put in place to manage your risks.

Asset maintenance program

• Stormwater Victoria WSUD Audit Guidelines - describes how to undertake audits of WSUD assets to determine their condition and identify maintenance and renewal requirements
• Maintenance Manual Rainwater Tank, (Port Phillip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic rainwater tank and the recommended frequency of each task
• Maintenance Manual Raingarden (Port Philip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic raingarden and the recommended frequency of each task
• WSUD Maintenance Guidelines (Melbourne Water) - these guidelines provide simple, standardised guidance for designing and implementing maintenance programmes for WSUD assets
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands

You can also access the full range of this Online Navigator Tool's resources here.

If you have any feedback on this tool or would like to contact the Clearwater team, please email us.

This is the final step in the Online Navigator Tool

The information contained on this page can be downloaded for future reference using the Print PDF button below.

Applicable stormwater planning provisions

The VPP clauses contain both objectives and standards. Objectives describe the desired outcome to be achieved and the standard contains the requirements to meet the objectives.

Statewide stormwater planning provisions applicable to the application include:

• Clause 53.18-4 - Stormwater management objectives for subdivision add associated and associated standards, and
• Clause 53.18-6 - Site Management objectives and associated standards

Note that, further to statewide stormwater planning provisions, there may be Council-specific planning requirements for stormwater management that also apply. It is recommended that this be confirmed directly with the relevant local council as part of pre-application discussions. It is also noted that there is a general planning requirement for applications to demonstrate how they have been designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site (Clause 65.01).

There are multiple benefits of implementing Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) on your site. WSUD systems such as raingardens, swales and rainwater tanks can allow you to more sustainably manage stormwater run-off on your site, provide water for reuse and urban greening, and reduce impacts from the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff on our urban waterways.

Visit the Additional Resources and FAQs page for a full range of best practice guidelines and reference material.

Clause 53.18-4 Stormwater Management Objectives For Subdivision

• To minimise damage to properties and inconvenience to the public from stormwater
• To ensure that the street operates adequately during major storm events and provides for public safety
• To minimise increases in stormwater and protect the environmental values and physical characteristics of receiving waters from degradation by stormwater
• To encourage stormwater management that maximises the retention and reuse of stormwater
• To encourage stormwater management that contributes to cooling, local habitat improvements and provision of attractive and enjoyable spaces

Clause 53.18-6 Site Management Objectives

• Protection of drainage infrastructure and receiving waters from sedimentation and contamination
• Protection of the site and surrounding area from environmental degradation prior to and during construction

Under Clause 65.01, Council may consider how a proposed development is designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site. Council may specify permit conditions requiring submission and approval of a site management plan demonstrating how erosion and sediment run-off to drains is to be managed during construction to meet this requirement.

Preparing a Stormwater Report

1. Design considerations

The best choice of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) treatment system for the development depends on several criteria:

• Development size (i.e. the larger the impervious area of the development, the more stormwater it generates and therefore the larger the treatment system needs to be)
• Treatment efficiency (i.e. the ability of the system to meet current best practice performance objectives and any other relevant requirements).
• Constructability (i.e. available space, position, slope, soil type, interaction with other services)
• Ease of operation/maintenance (i.e. checking for blockages, cleaning, servicing pumps, weed control, removing sediment, safety)
• Costs (i.e. cost to construct, operate and maintain the treatment system)

Submitting a stormwater report (typically prepared by a qualified professional) with your planning application will assist council planners to assess compliance with the relevant planning provisions. A stormwater report should contain detailed information on:

• Your proposed development
• Site layout plan, catchment areas and water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatment systems
• Modelling to demonstrate compliance with current best practice performance objectives
• Functional design consideration
• Site management plan; and
• Asset maintenance program

Further resources for each of these points are listed below.

2. Planning permit considerations

When designing stormwater management systems we advise a pre-application discussion between the applicant and their local council, as other planning provisions and local planning policies may be relevant. Some councils may also provide an alternative option of paying a partial or full offset payment in lieu of on-site treatment.

Permit application requirements may vary for different development types and from council to council. Some councils may only request a site layout plan showing the WSUD treatment systems proposed and demonstration that there is space to accommodate such treatment and that it satisfies all VPP objectives and standards.

Applicants are strongly recommended to discuss requirements with their local council and referral authorities before preparing their Planning Permit Application.

Contact details for local councils in Victoria.

Resources to support development of a stormwater report

Stormwater site layout plan, catchment areas and WSUD treatment systems

• Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management (BPEM) Guidelines (CSIRO) - designed to meet the needs of people involved in the planning, design or management of urban land uses or stormwater drainage systems
• Options for treating stormwater using WSUD (Melbourne Water) - Find out more about water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatments and choose one or more that best suit your needs
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (CSIRO) - Practical engineering solutions to those who need to implement WSUD
• Hume City Council Industrial Stormwater Code of Practice - provides requirements and guidance for stormwater management on industrial sites. It applies to industrial and warehousing businesses, including businesses that are leasing properties
• Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - South Eastern Councils (Melbourne Water) - provides design and maintenance procedures, typical drawings, design checklists, landscape requirements, worked examples and case studies

Modelling to demonstrate compliance

• MUSIC is a computer model representing a project or catchment area, the drainage connections and a series of stormwater treatments. It simulates rainfall and runoff at six-minute intervals over at least one year, and then treatment by sediment basins, wetlands and other water sensitive urban design measures.
  • Purchase MUSIC from eWater (training courses also available).
  • Melbourne Water’s MUSIC Guidelines provides guidance on modelling approaches and input parameters for MUSIC models submitted to Melbourne Water
  • MUSIC Auditor Tool - as part of the assessment of the development application the assessor can use this tool to review the MUSIC file submitted
• STORM - The general public can use the STORM calculator to design small residential and commercial developments, ensuring they achieve the stormwater treatment objectives required by state and local government planning provisions.
• Insite Water - website toolkit designed for single lots on sites up to 1 ha. Guides you through every part of Best Practice StormwaterManagement design

Functional design considerations

• Clearwater Tool for Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - provides an overview of a selection of some of the best available WSUD guidelines
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (eBook, Melbourne Water) - Practical engineering solutions for those who need to implement WSUD
• Adoption guidelines for stormwater biofiltration systems (previously called the FAWB Adoption Guidelines) - have been prepared by the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities to assist in the development of biofiltration systems
• Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) - contains specific design standards for WSUD systems. Regional and rural councils have provided preferences for WSUD within their area
• Moreland City Council’s Streetscape raingarden and tree pit design package - provides a suite of design elements and standard drawings to assist in the efficient design and successful implementation of raingardens and tree pit projects
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands
• Trees for Cooler and Greener Streetscapes (DELWP) – Guidelines for streetscape planning and design
• MW Raingarden Fact Sheets - Raingarden designs and resources to build your own raingarden along with examples across Melbourne

Site management plan

• Reducing erosion and sedimentation risk: Guidelines for industry (EPA website) - presents a risk-based approach to preventing and minimising impacts from erosion and sedimentation
• Construction techniques for sediment pollution control (1991, EPA publication 275) – helps protect the environment while increasing construction efficiencies and reducing land development costs
• Keeping our stormwater clean - a builder's guide (2006, Melbourne Water) – suitable for lot scale developments
• Site Environmental Management Plan kit (Melbourne Water) - provides land developers, consultants and contractors with a step by step process for developing a comprehensive site specific Environmental Management Plan for subdivision construction sites
• Construction - Guide to preventing harm to people and the environment (2020, EPA publication 1820) - outlines how to manage the risks in construction, provides an outline of your legal obligations, what actions you can take to comply with the new laws and contains a list of common hazards and information about how to manage waste. The guide does not tell you about the controls to put in place to suit your circumstances.
• Civil construction, building and demolition guide (2020, EPA publication 1834) - supports industry to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm to human health and the environment through good environmental practice. It provides an overview of the duties under the new laws, outlines a risk based to approach for assessing and managing risks, and includes information on controls that you can put in place to manage your risks.

Asset maintenance program

• Stormwater Victoria WSUD Audit Guidelines - describes how to undertake audits of WSUD assets to determine their condition and identify maintenance and renewal requirements
• Maintenance Manual Rainwater Tank, (Port Phillip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic rainwater tank and the recommended frequency of each task
• Maintenance Manual Raingarden (Port Philip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic raingarden and the recommended frequency of each task
• WSUD Maintenance Guidelines (Melbourne Water) - these guidelines provide simple, standardised guidance for designing and implementing maintenance programmes for WSUD assets
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands

You can also access the full range of this Online Navigator Tool's resources here.

If you have any feedback on this tool or would like to contact the Clearwater team, please email us.

This is the final step in the Online Navigator Tool

The information contained on this page can be downloaded for future reference using the Print PDF button below.

Applicable stormwater planning provisions

The VPP clauses contain both objectives and standards. Objectives describe the desired outcome to be achieved and the standard contains the requirements to meet the objectives.

Statewide stormwater planning provisions applicable to the application include:

• Clause 53.18-5 - Stormwater management objectives for buildings and works and associated standards, and
• Clause 53.18-6 - Site Management objectives and associated standards

Note that, further to statewide stormwater planning provisions, there may be Council-specific planning requirements for stormwater management that also apply. It is recommended that this be confirmed directly with the relevant local council as part of pre-application discussions. It is also noted that there is a general planning requirement for applications to demonstrate how they have been designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site (Clause 65.01).

There are multiple benefits of implementing Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) on your site. WSUD systems such as raingardens, swales and rainwater tanks can allow you to more sustainably manage stormwater run-off on your site, provide water for reuse and urban greening, and reduce impacts from the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff on our urban waterways.

Visit the Additional Resources and FAQs page for a full range of best practice guidelines and reference material.

Clause 53.18-5 Stormwater Management Objectives For Buildings And Works

• To encourage stormwater management that maximises the retention and reuse of stormwater
• To encourage development that reduces the impact of stormwater on the drainage system and filters sediment and waste from stormwater prior to discharge from the site
• To encourage stormwater management that contributes to cooling, local habitat improvements and provision of attractive and enjoyable spaces
• To ensure that industrial and commercial chemical pollutants and other toxicants do not enter the stormwater system

Clause 53.18-6 Site Management Objectives

• Protection of drainage infrastructure and receiving waters from sedimentation and contamination
• Protection of the site and surrounding area from environmental degradation prior to and during construction

Under Clause 65.01, Council may consider how a proposed development is designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site. Council may specify permit conditions requiring submission and approval of a site management plan demonstrating how erosion and sediment run-off to drains is to be managed during construction to meet this requirement.

Preparing a Stormwater Report

1. Design considerations

The best choice of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) treatment system for the development depends on several criteria:

• Development size (i.e. the larger the impervious area of the development, the more stormwater it generates and therefore the larger the treatment system needs to be)
• Treatment efficiency (i.e. the ability of the system to meet current best practice performance objectives and any other relevant requirements).
• Constructability (i.e. available space, position, slope, soil type, interaction with other services)
• Ease of operation/maintenance (i.e. checking for blockages, cleaning, servicing pumps, weed control, removing sediment, safety)
• Costs (i.e. cost to construct, operate and maintain the treatment system)

Submitting a stormwater report (typically prepared by a qualified professional) with your planning application will assist council planners to assess compliance with the relevant planning provisions. A stormwater report should contain detailed information on:

• Your proposed development
• Site layout plan, catchment areas and water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatment systems
• Modelling to demonstrate compliance with current best practice performance objectives
• Functional design consideration
• Site management plan; and
• Asset maintenance program

Further resources for each of these points are listed below.

2. Planning permit considerations

When designing stormwater management systems we advise a pre-application discussion between the applicant and their local council, as other planning provisions and local planning policies may be relevant. Some councils may also provide an alternative option of paying a partial or full offset payment in lieu of on-site treatment.

Permit application requirements may vary for different development types and from council to council. Some councils may only request a site layout plan showing the WSUD treatment systems proposed and demonstration that there is space to accommodate such treatment and that it satisfies all VPP objectives and standards.

Applicants are strongly recommended to discuss requirements with their local council and referral authorities before preparing their Planning Permit Application.

Contact details for local councils in Victoria.

Resources to support development of a stormwater report

Stormwater site layout plan, catchment areas and WSUD treatment systems

• Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management (BPEM) Guidelines (CSIRO) - designed to meet the needs of people involved in the planning, design or management of urban land uses or stormwater drainage systems
• Options for treating stormwater using WSUD (Melbourne Water) - Find out more about water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatments and choose one or more that best suit your needs
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (CSIRO) - Practical engineering solutions to those who need to implement WSUD
• Hume City Council Industrial Stormwater Code of Practice - provides requirements and guidance for stormwater management on industrial sites. It applies to industrial and warehousing businesses, including businesses that are leasing properties
• Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - South Eastern Councils (Melbourne Water) - provides design and maintenance procedures, typical drawings, design checklists, landscape requirements, worked examples and case studies

Modelling to demonstrate compliance

• MUSIC is a computer model representing a project or catchment area, the drainage connections and a series of stormwater treatments. It simulates rainfall and runoff at six-minute intervals over at least one year, and then treatment by sediment basins, wetlands and other water sensitive urban design measures.
  • Purchase MUSIC from eWater (training courses also available).
  • Melbourne Water’s MUSIC Guidelines provides guidance on modelling approaches and input parameters for MUSIC models submitted to Melbourne Water
  • MUSIC Auditor Tool - as part of the assessment of the development application the assessor can use this tool to review the MUSIC file submitted
• STORM - The general public can use the STORM calculator to design small residential and commercial developments, ensuring they achieve the stormwater treatment objectives required by state and local government planning provisions.
• Insite Water - website toolkit designed for single lots on sites up to 1 ha. Guides you through every part of Best Practice StormwaterManagement design

Functional design considerations

• Clearwater Tool for Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - provides an overview of a selection of some of the best available WSUD guidelines
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (eBook, Melbourne Water) - Practical engineering solutions for those who need to implement WSUD
• Adoption guidelines for stormwater biofiltration systems (previously called the FAWB Adoption Guidelines) - have been prepared by the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities to assist in the development of biofiltration systems
• Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) - contains specific design standards for WSUD systems. Regional and rural councils have provided preferences for WSUD within their area
• Moreland City Council’s Streetscape raingarden and tree pit design package - provides a suite of design elements and standard drawings to assist in the efficient design and successful implementation of raingardens and tree pit projects
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands
• Trees for Cooler and Greener Streetscapes (DELWP) – Guidelines for streetscape planning and design
• MW Raingarden Fact Sheets - Raingarden designs and resources to build your own raingarden along with examples across Melbourne

Site management plan

• Reducing erosion and sedimentation risk: Guidelines for industry (EPA website) - presents a risk-based approach to preventing and minimising impacts from erosion and sedimentation
• Construction techniques for sediment pollution control (1991, EPA publication 275) – helps protect the environment while increasing construction efficiencies and reducing land development costs
• Keeping our stormwater clean - a builder's guide (2006, Melbourne Water) – suitable for lot scale developments
• Site Environmental Management Plan kit (Melbourne Water) - provides land developers, consultants and contractors with a step by step process for developing a comprehensive site specific Environmental Management Plan for subdivision construction sites
• Construction - Guide to preventing harm to people and the environment (2020, EPA publication 1820) - outlines how to manage the risks in construction, provides an outline of your legal obligations, what actions you can take to comply with the new laws and contains a list of common hazards and information about how to manage waste. The guide does not tell you about the controls to put in place to suit your circumstances.
• Civil construction, building and demolition guide (2020, EPA publication 1834) - supports industry to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm to human health and the environment through good environmental practice. It provides an overview of the duties under the new laws, outlines a risk based to approach for assessing and managing risks, and includes information on controls that you can put in place to manage your risks.

Asset maintenance program

• Stormwater Victoria WSUD Audit Guidelines - describes how to undertake audits of WSUD assets to determine their condition and identify maintenance and renewal requirements
• Maintenance Manual Rainwater Tank, (Port Phillip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic rainwater tank and the recommended frequency of each task
• Maintenance Manual Raingarden (Port Philip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic raingarden and the recommended frequency of each task
• WSUD Maintenance Guidelines (Melbourne Water) - these guidelines provide simple, standardised guidance for designing and implementing maintenance programmes for WSUD assets
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands

You can also access the full range of this Online Navigator Tool's resources here.

If you have any feedback on this tool or would like to contact the Clearwater team, please email us.

This is the final step in the Online Navigator Tool

The information contained on this page can be downloaded for future reference using the Print PDF button below.

Applicable stormwater planning provisions

The VPP clauses contain both objectives and standards. Objectives describe the desired outcome to be achieved and the standard contains the requirements to meet the objectives.

Statewide stormwater planning provisions applicable to the application include:

• Clause 53.18-5 - Stormwater management objectives for buildings and works and associated standards, and
• Clause 53.18-6 - Site Management objectives and associated standards

Note that, further to statewide stormwater planning provisions, there may be Council-specific planning requirements for stormwater management that also apply. It is recommended that this be confirmed directly with the relevant local council as part of pre-application discussions. It is also noted that there is a general planning requirement for applications to demonstrate how they have been designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site (Clause 65.01).

There are multiple benefits of implementing Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) on your site. WSUD systems such as raingardens, swales and rainwater tanks can allow you to more sustainably manage stormwater run-off on your site, provide water for reuse and urban greening, and reduce impacts from the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff on our urban waterways.

Visit the Additional Resources and FAQs page for a full range of best practice guidelines and reference material.

Clause 53.18-5 Stormwater Management Objectives For Buildings And Works

• To encourage stormwater management that maximises the retention and reuse of stormwater
• To encourage development that reduces the impact of stormwater on the drainage system and filters sediment and waste from stormwater prior to discharge from the site
• To encourage stormwater management that contributes to cooling, local habitat improvements and provision of attractive and enjoyable spaces
• To ensure that industrial and commercial chemical pollutants and other toxicants do not enter the stormwater system

Clause 53.18-6 Site Management Objectives

• Protection of drainage infrastructure and receiving waters from sedimentation and contamination
• Protection of the site and surrounding area from environmental degradation prior to and during construction

Under Clause 65.01, Council may consider how a proposed development is designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site. Council may specify permit conditions requiring submission and approval of a site management plan demonstrating how erosion and sediment run-off to drains is to be managed during construction to meet this requirement.

Preparing a Stormwater Report

1. Design considerations

The best choice of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) treatment system for the development depends on several criteria:

• Development size (i.e. the larger the impervious area of the development, the more stormwater it generates and therefore the larger the treatment system needs to be)
• Treatment efficiency (i.e. the ability of the system to meet current best practice performance objectives and any other relevant requirements).
• Constructability (i.e. available space, position, slope, soil type, interaction with other services)
• Ease of operation/maintenance (i.e. checking for blockages, cleaning, servicing pumps, weed control, removing sediment, safety)
• Costs (i.e. cost to construct, operate and maintain the treatment system)

Submitting a stormwater report (typically prepared by a qualified professional) with your planning application will assist council planners to assess compliance with the relevant planning provisions. A stormwater report should contain detailed information on:

• Your proposed development
• Site layout plan, catchment areas and water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatment systems
• Modelling to demonstrate compliance with current best practice performance objectives
• Functional design consideration
• Site management plan; and
• Asset maintenance program

Further resources for each of these points are listed below.

2. Planning permit considerations

When designing stormwater management systems we advise a pre-application discussion between the applicant and their local council, as other planning provisions and local planning policies may be relevant. Some councils may also provide an alternative option of paying a partial or full offset payment in lieu of on-site treatment.

Permit application requirements may vary for different development types and from council to council. Some councils may only request a site layout plan showing the WSUD treatment systems proposed and demonstration that there is space to accommodate such treatment and that it satisfies all VPP objectives and standards.

Applicants are strongly recommended to discuss requirements with their local council and referral authorities before preparing their Planning Permit Application.

Contact details for local councils in Victoria.

Resources to support development of a stormwater report

Stormwater site layout plan, catchment areas and WSUD treatment systems

• Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management (BPEM) Guidelines (CSIRO) - designed to meet the needs of people involved in the planning, design or management of urban land uses or stormwater drainage systems
• Options for treating stormwater using WSUD (Melbourne Water) - Find out more about water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatments and choose one or more that best suit your needs
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (CSIRO) - Practical engineering solutions to those who need to implement WSUD
• Hume City Council Industrial Stormwater Code of Practice - provides requirements and guidance for stormwater management on industrial sites. It applies to industrial and warehousing businesses, including businesses that are leasing properties
• Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - South Eastern Councils (Melbourne Water) - provides design and maintenance procedures, typical drawings, design checklists, landscape requirements, worked examples and case studies

Modelling to demonstrate compliance

• MUSIC is a computer model representing a project or catchment area, the drainage connections and a series of stormwater treatments. It simulates rainfall and runoff at six-minute intervals over at least one year, and then treatment by sediment basins, wetlands and other water sensitive urban design measures.
  • Purchase MUSIC from eWater (training courses also available).
  • Melbourne Water’s MUSIC Guidelines provides guidance on modelling approaches and input parameters for MUSIC models submitted to Melbourne Water
  • MUSIC Auditor Tool - as part of the assessment of the development application the assessor can use this tool to review the MUSIC file submitted
• STORM - The general public can use the STORM calculator to design small residential and commercial developments, ensuring they achieve the stormwater treatment objectives required by state and local government planning provisions.
• Insite Water - website toolkit designed for single lots on sites up to 1 ha. Guides you through every part of Best Practice StormwaterManagement design

Functional design considerations

• Clearwater Tool for Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - provides an overview of a selection of some of the best available WSUD guidelines
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (eBook, Melbourne Water) - Practical engineering solutions for those who need to implement WSUD
• Adoption guidelines for stormwater biofiltration systems (previously called the FAWB Adoption Guidelines) - have been prepared by the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities to assist in the development of biofiltration systems
• Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) - contains specific design standards for WSUD systems. Regional and rural councils have provided preferences for WSUD within their area
• Moreland City Council’s Streetscape raingarden and tree pit design package - provides a suite of design elements and standard drawings to assist in the efficient design and successful implementation of raingardens and tree pit projects
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands
• Trees for Cooler and Greener Streetscapes (DELWP) – Guidelines for streetscape planning and design
• MW Raingarden Fact Sheets - Raingarden designs and resources to build your own raingarden along with examples across Melbourne

Site management plan

• Reducing erosion and sedimentation risk: Guidelines for industry (EPA website) - presents a risk-based approach to preventing and minimising impacts from erosion and sedimentation
• Construction techniques for sediment pollution control (1991, EPA publication 275) – helps protect the environment while increasing construction efficiencies and reducing land development costs
• Keeping our stormwater clean - a builder's guide (2006, Melbourne Water) – suitable for lot scale developments
• Site Environmental Management Plan kit (Melbourne Water) - provides land developers, consultants and contractors with a step by step process for developing a comprehensive site specific Environmental Management Plan for subdivision construction sites
• Construction - Guide to preventing harm to people and the environment (2020, EPA publication 1820) - outlines how to manage the risks in construction, provides an outline of your legal obligations, what actions you can take to comply with the new laws and contains a list of common hazards and information about how to manage waste. The guide does not tell you about the controls to put in place to suit your circumstances.
• Civil construction, building and demolition guide (2020, EPA publication 1834) - supports industry to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm to human health and the environment through good environmental practice. It provides an overview of the duties under the new laws, outlines a risk based to approach for assessing and managing risks, and includes information on controls that you can put in place to manage your risks.

Asset maintenance program

• Stormwater Victoria WSUD Audit Guidelines - describes how to undertake audits of WSUD assets to determine their condition and identify maintenance and renewal requirements
• Maintenance Manual Rainwater Tank, (Port Phillip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic rainwater tank and the recommended frequency of each task
• Maintenance Manual Raingarden (Port Philip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic raingarden and the recommended frequency of each task
• WSUD Maintenance Guidelines (Melbourne Water) - these guidelines provide simple, standardised guidance for designing and implementing maintenance programmes for WSUD assets
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands

You can also access the full range of this Online Navigator Tool's resources here.

If you have any feedback on this tool or would like to contact the Clearwater team, please email us.

This is the final step in the Online Navigator Tool

The information contained on this page can be downloaded for future reference using the Print PDF button below.

Applicable stormwater planning provisions

The VPP clauses contain both objectives and standards. Objectives describe the desired outcome to be achieved and the standard contains the requirements to meet the objectives.

Statewide stormwater planning provisions applicable to the application include:

• Clause 53.18-5 - Stormwater management objectives for buildings and works and associated standards, and
• Clause 53.18-6 - Site Management objectives and associated standards

Note that, further to statewide stormwater planning provisions, there may be Council-specific planning requirements for stormwater management that also apply. It is recommended that this be confirmed directly with the relevant local council as part of pre-application discussions. It is also noted that there is a general planning requirement for applications to demonstrate how they have been designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site (Clause 65.01).

There are multiple benefits of implementing Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) on your site. WSUD systems such as raingardens, swales and rainwater tanks can allow you to more sustainably manage stormwater run-off on your site, provide water for reuse and urban greening, and reduce impacts from the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff on our urban waterways.

Visit the Additional Resources and FAQs page for a full range of best practice guidelines and reference material.

Clause 53.18-5 Stormwater Management Objectives For Buildings And Works

• To encourage stormwater management that maximises the retention and reuse of stormwater
• To encourage development that reduces the impact of stormwater on the drainage system and filters sediment and waste from stormwater prior to discharge from the site
• To encourage stormwater management that contributes to cooling, local habitat improvements and provision of attractive and enjoyable spaces
• To ensure that industrial and commercial chemical pollutants and other toxicants do not enter the stormwater system

Clause 53.18-6 Site Management Objectives

• Protection of drainage infrastructure and receiving waters from sedimentation and contamination
• Protection of the site and surrounding area from environmental degradation prior to and during construction

Under Clause 65.01, Council may consider how a proposed development is designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site. Council may specify permit conditions requiring submission and approval of a site management plan demonstrating how erosion and sediment run-off to drains is to be managed during construction to meet this requirement.

Preparing a Stormwater Report

1. Design considerations

The best choice of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) treatment system for the development depends on several criteria:

• Development size (i.e. the larger the impervious area of the development, the more stormwater it generates and therefore the larger the treatment system needs to be)
• Treatment efficiency (i.e. the ability of the system to meet current best practice performance objectives and any other relevant requirements).
• Constructability (i.e. available space, position, slope, soil type, interaction with other services)
• Ease of operation/maintenance (i.e. checking for blockages, cleaning, servicing pumps, weed control, removing sediment, safety)
• Costs (i.e. cost to construct, operate and maintain the treatment system)

Submitting a stormwater report (typically prepared by a qualified professional) with your planning application will assist council planners to assess compliance with the relevant planning provisions. A stormwater report should contain detailed information on:

• Your proposed development
• Site layout plan, catchment areas and water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatment systems
• Modelling to demonstrate compliance with current best practice performance objectives
• Functional design consideration
• Site management plan; and
• Asset maintenance program

Further resources for each of these points are listed below.

2. Planning permit considerations

When designing stormwater management systems we advise a pre-application discussion between the applicant and their local council, as other planning provisions and local planning policies may be relevant. Some councils may also provide an alternative option of paying a partial or full offset payment in lieu of on-site treatment.

Permit application requirements may vary for different development types and from council to council. Some councils may only request a site layout plan showing the WSUD treatment systems proposed and demonstration that there is space to accommodate such treatment and that it satisfies all VPP objectives and standards.

Applicants are strongly recommended to discuss requirements with their local council and referral authorities before preparing their Planning Permit Application.

Contact details for local councils in Victoria.

Resources to support development of a stormwater report

Stormwater site layout plan, catchment areas and WSUD treatment systems

• Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management (BPEM) Guidelines (CSIRO) - designed to meet the needs of people involved in the planning, design or management of urban land uses or stormwater drainage systems
• Options for treating stormwater using WSUD (Melbourne Water) - Find out more about water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatments and choose one or more that best suit your needs
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (CSIRO) - Practical engineering solutions to those who need to implement WSUD
• Hume City Council Industrial Stormwater Code of Practice - provides requirements and guidance for stormwater management on industrial sites. It applies to industrial and warehousing businesses, including businesses that are leasing properties
• Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - South Eastern Councils (Melbourne Water) - provides design and maintenance procedures, typical drawings, design checklists, landscape requirements, worked examples and case studies

Modelling to demonstrate compliance

• MUSIC is a computer model representing a project or catchment area, the drainage connections and a series of stormwater treatments. It simulates rainfall and runoff at six-minute intervals over at least one year, and then treatment by sediment basins, wetlands and other water sensitive urban design measures.
  • Purchase MUSIC from eWater (training courses also available).
  • Melbourne Water’s MUSIC Guidelines provides guidance on modelling approaches and input parameters for MUSIC models submitted to Melbourne Water
  • MUSIC Auditor Tool - as part of the assessment of the development application the assessor can use this tool to review the MUSIC file submitted
• STORM - The general public can use the STORM calculator to design small residential and commercial developments, ensuring they achieve the stormwater treatment objectives required by state and local government planning provisions.
• Insite Water - website toolkit designed for single lots on sites up to 1 ha. Guides you through every part of Best Practice StormwaterManagement design

Functional design considerations

• Clearwater Tool for Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - provides an overview of a selection of some of the best available WSUD guidelines
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (eBook, Melbourne Water) - Practical engineering solutions for those who need to implement WSUD
• Adoption guidelines for stormwater biofiltration systems (previously called the FAWB Adoption Guidelines) - have been prepared by the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities to assist in the development of biofiltration systems
• Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) - contains specific design standards for WSUD systems. Regional and rural councils have provided preferences for WSUD within their area
• Moreland City Council’s Streetscape raingarden and tree pit design package - provides a suite of design elements and standard drawings to assist in the efficient design and successful implementation of raingardens and tree pit projects
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands
• Trees for Cooler and Greener Streetscapes (DELWP) – Guidelines for streetscape planning and design
• MW Raingarden Fact Sheets - Raingarden designs and resources to build your own raingarden along with examples across Melbourne

Site management plan

• Reducing erosion and sedimentation risk: Guidelines for industry (EPA website) - presents a risk-based approach to preventing and minimising impacts from erosion and sedimentation
• Construction techniques for sediment pollution control (1991, EPA publication 275) – helps protect the environment while increasing construction efficiencies and reducing land development costs
• Keeping our stormwater clean - a builder's guide (2006, Melbourne Water) – suitable for lot scale developments
• Site Environmental Management Plan kit (Melbourne Water) - provides land developers, consultants and contractors with a step by step process for developing a comprehensive site specific Environmental Management Plan for subdivision construction sites
• Construction - Guide to preventing harm to people and the environment (2020, EPA publication 1820) - outlines how to manage the risks in construction, provides an outline of your legal obligations, what actions you can take to comply with the new laws and contains a list of common hazards and information about how to manage waste. The guide does not tell you about the controls to put in place to suit your circumstances.
• Civil construction, building and demolition guide (2020, EPA publication 1834) - supports industry to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm to human health and the environment through good environmental practice. It provides an overview of the duties under the new laws, outlines a risk based to approach for assessing and managing risks, and includes information on controls that you can put in place to manage your risks.

Asset maintenance program

• Stormwater Victoria WSUD Audit Guidelines - describes how to undertake audits of WSUD assets to determine their condition and identify maintenance and renewal requirements
• Maintenance Manual Rainwater Tank, (Port Phillip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic rainwater tank and the recommended frequency of each task
• Maintenance Manual Raingarden (Port Philip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic raingarden and the recommended frequency of each task
• WSUD Maintenance Guidelines (Melbourne Water) - these guidelines provide simple, standardised guidance for designing and implementing maintenance programmes for WSUD assets
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands

You can also access the full range of this Online Navigator Tool's resources here.

If you have any feedback on this tool or would like to contact the Clearwater team, please email us.

This is the final step in the Online Navigator Tool

The information contained on this page can be downloaded for future reference using the Print PDF button below.

Applicable stormwater planning provisions

The VPP clauses contain both objectives and standards. Objectives describe the desired outcome to be achieved and the standard contains the requirements to meet the objectives.

Statewide stormwater planning provisions applicable to the application include:

• Clause 58.03-8 - Integrated Water and Stormwater management objectives and associated standards

Note that, further to statewide stormwater planning provisions, there may be Council-specific planning requirements for stormwater management that also apply. It is recommended that this be confirmed directly with the relevant local council as part of pre-application discussions. It is also noted that there is a general planning requirement for applications to demonstrate how they have been designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site (Clause 65.01).

There are multiple benefits of implementing Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) on your site. WSUD systems such as raingardens, swales and rainwater tanks can allow you to more sustainably manage stormwater run-off on your site, provide water for reuse and urban greening, and reduce impacts from the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff on our urban waterways.

Visit the Additional Resources and FAQs page for a full range of best practice guidelines and reference material.

Clause 58.03-8 Integrated Water And Stormwater Management Objectives

• Buildings should be designed to collect rainwater for non-drinking purposes such as flushing toilets, laundry appliances and garden use
• Where available, buildings should be connected to a non-potable dual pipe reticulated water supply
• Stormwater management systems should be designed to :
  • meet the current best practice performance objectives for stormwater quality as contained in the Urban Stormwater - Best Practice Management Guidelines (Victorian Stormwater Committee) 1999
  • maximise infiltration of stormwater, water and drainage of residual flows into permeable surfaces, tree pits and treatment areas

Site management

The applicant needs to demonstrate to council that the proposed development is designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site (VPP Clause 65.01). Council may specify permit conditions which may require a site management plan.

Under Clause 65.01, Council may consider how a proposed development is designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site. Council may specify permit conditions requiring submission and approval of a site management plan demonstrating how erosion and sediment run-off to drains is to be managed during construction to meet this requirement.

Preparing a Stormwater Report

1. Design considerations

The best choice of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) treatment system for the development depends on several criteria:

• Development size (i.e. the larger the impervious area of the development, the more stormwater it generates and therefore the larger the treatment system needs to be)
• Treatment efficiency (i.e. the ability of the system to meet current best practice performance objectives and any other relevant requirements).
• Constructability (i.e. available space, position, slope, soil type, interaction with other services)
• Ease of operation/maintenance (i.e. checking for blockages, cleaning, servicing pumps, weed control, removing sediment, safety)
• Costs (i.e. cost to construct, operate and maintain the treatment system)

Submitting a stormwater report (typically prepared by a qualified professional) with your planning application will assist council planners to assess compliance with the relevant planning provisions. A stormwater report should contain detailed information on:

• Your proposed development
• Site layout plan, catchment areas and water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatment systems
• Modelling to demonstrate compliance with current best practice performance objectives
• Functional design consideration
• Site management plan; and
• Asset maintenance program

Further resources for each of these points are listed below.

2. Planning permit considerations

When designing stormwater management systems we advise a pre-application discussion between the applicant and their local council, as other planning provisions and local planning policies may be relevant. Some councils may also provide an alternative option of paying a partial or full offset payment in lieu of on-site treatment.

Permit application requirements may vary for different development types and from council to council. Some councils may only request a site layout plan showing the WSUD treatment systems proposed and demonstration that there is space to accommodate such treatment and that it satisfies all VPP objectives and standards.

Applicants are strongly recommended to discuss requirements with their local council and referral authorities before preparing their Planning Permit Application.

Contact details for local councils in Victoria.

Resources to support development of a stormwater report

Stormwater site layout plan, catchment areas and WSUD treatment systems

• Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management (BPEM) Guidelines (CSIRO) - designed to meet the needs of people involved in the planning, design or management of urban land uses or stormwater drainage systems
• Options for treating stormwater using WSUD (Melbourne Water) - Find out more about water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatments and choose one or more that best suit your needs
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (CSIRO) - Practical engineering solutions to those who need to implement WSUD
• Hume City Council Industrial Stormwater Code of Practice - provides requirements and guidance for stormwater management on industrial sites. It applies to industrial and warehousing businesses, including businesses that are leasing properties
• Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - South Eastern Councils (Melbourne Water) - provides design and maintenance procedures, typical drawings, design checklists, landscape requirements, worked examples and case studies

Modelling to demonstrate compliance

• MUSIC is a computer model representing a project or catchment area, the drainage connections and a series of stormwater treatments. It simulates rainfall and runoff at six-minute intervals over at least one year, and then treatment by sediment basins, wetlands and other water sensitive urban design measures.
  • Purchase MUSIC from eWater (training courses also available).
  • Melbourne Water’s MUSIC Guidelines provides guidance on modelling approaches and input parameters for MUSIC models submitted to Melbourne Water
  • MUSIC Auditor Tool - as part of the assessment of the development application the assessor can use this tool to review the MUSIC file submitted
• STORM - The general public can use the STORM calculator to design small residential and commercial developments, ensuring they achieve the stormwater treatment objectives required by state and local government planning provisions.
• Insite Water - website toolkit designed for single lots on sites up to 1 ha. Guides you through every part of Best Practice StormwaterManagement design

Functional design considerations

• Clearwater Tool for Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - provides an overview of a selection of some of the best available WSUD guidelines
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (eBook, Melbourne Water) - Practical engineering solutions for those who need to implement WSUD
• Adoption guidelines for stormwater biofiltration systems (previously called the FAWB Adoption Guidelines) - have been prepared by the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities to assist in the development of biofiltration systems
• Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) - contains specific design standards for WSUD systems. Regional and rural councils have provided preferences for WSUD within their area
• Moreland City Council’s Streetscape raingarden and tree pit design package - provides a suite of design elements and standard drawings to assist in the efficient design and successful implementation of raingardens and tree pit projects
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands
• Trees for Cooler and Greener Streetscapes (DELWP) – Guidelines for streetscape planning and design
• MW Raingarden Fact Sheets - Raingarden designs and resources to build your own raingarden along with examples across Melbourne

Site management plan

• Reducing erosion and sedimentation risk: Guidelines for industry (EPA website) - presents a risk-based approach to preventing and minimising impacts from erosion and sedimentation
• Construction techniques for sediment pollution control (1991, EPA publication 275) – helps protect the environment while increasing construction efficiencies and reducing land development costs
• Keeping our stormwater clean - a builder's guide (2006, Melbourne Water) – suitable for lot scale developments
• Site Environmental Management Plan kit (Melbourne Water) - provides land developers, consultants and contractors with a step by step process for developing a comprehensive site specific Environmental Management Plan for subdivision construction sites
• Construction - Guide to preventing harm to people and the environment (2020, EPA publication 1820) - outlines how to manage the risks in construction, provides an outline of your legal obligations, what actions you can take to comply with the new laws and contains a list of common hazards and information about how to manage waste. The guide does not tell you about the controls to put in place to suit your circumstances.
• Civil construction, building and demolition guide (2020, EPA publication 1834) - supports industry to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm to human health and the environment through good environmental practice. It provides an overview of the duties under the new laws, outlines a risk based to approach for assessing and managing risks, and includes information on controls that you can put in place to manage your risks.

Asset maintenance program

• Stormwater Victoria WSUD Audit Guidelines - describes how to undertake audits of WSUD assets to determine their condition and identify maintenance and renewal requirements
• Maintenance Manual Rainwater Tank, (Port Phillip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic rainwater tank and the recommended frequency of each task
• Maintenance Manual Raingarden (Port Philip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic raingarden and the recommended frequency of each task
• WSUD Maintenance Guidelines (Melbourne Water) - these guidelines provide simple, standardised guidance for designing and implementing maintenance programmes for WSUD assets
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands

You can also access the full range of this Online Navigator Tool's resources here.

If you have any feedback on this tool or would like to contact the Clearwater team, please email us.

This is the final step in the Online Navigator Tool

The information contained on this page can be downloaded for future reference using the Print PDF button below.

Applicable stormwater planning provisions

The VPP clauses contain both objectives and standards. Objectives describe the desired outcome to be achieved and the standard contains the requirements to meet the objectives.

Statewide stormwater planning provisions applicable to the application include:

• Clause 55.07-5 - Integrated water and stormwater management objectives and associated standards, and
• Clause 55.03-4 - Permeability and stormwater management objectives and associated standards

Note that, further to statewide stormwater planning provisions, there may be Council-specific planning requirements for stormwater management that also apply. It is recommended that this be confirmed directly with the relevant local council as part of pre-application discussions. It is also noted that there is a general planning requirement for applications to demonstrate how they have been designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site (Clause 65.01).

There are multiple benefits of implementing Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) on your site. WSUD systems such as raingardens, swales and rainwater tanks can allow you to more sustainably manage stormwater run-off on your site, provide water for reuse and urban greening, and reduce impacts from the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff on our urban waterways.

Visit the Additional Resources and FAQs page for a full range of best practice guidelines and reference material.

Clause 55.07-5 Integrated Water And Stormwater Management Objectives

• To encourage the use of alternative water sources such as rainwater, stormwater and recycled water
• To facilitate stormwater collection, utilisation and infiltration within the development
• To encourage development that reduces the impact of stormwater run-off on the drainage system and filters sediment and waste from stormwater prior to discharge from the site

Clause 55.03-4 Permeability and stormwater management objectives

• To reduce the impact of increased stormwater run-off on the drainage system
• To facilitate on-site stormwater infiltration
• To encourage stormwater management that maximises the retention and reuse of stormwater

Site management

The applicant needs to demonstrate to council that the proposed development is designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site (VPP Clause 65.01). Council may specify permit conditions which may require a site management plan.

Under Clause 65.01, Council may consider how a proposed development is designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site. Council may specify permit conditions requiring submission and approval of a site management plan demonstrating how erosion and sediment run-off to drains is to be managed during construction to meet this requirement.

Preparing a Stormwater Report

1. Design considerations

The best choice of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) treatment system for the development depends on several criteria:

• Development size (i.e. the larger the impervious area of the development, the more stormwater it generates and therefore the larger the treatment system needs to be)
• Treatment efficiency (i.e. the ability of the system to meet current best practice performance objectives and any other relevant requirements).
• Constructability (i.e. available space, position, slope, soil type, interaction with other services)
• Ease of operation/maintenance (i.e. checking for blockages, cleaning, servicing pumps, weed control, removing sediment, safety)
• Costs (i.e. cost to construct, operate and maintain the treatment system)

Submitting a stormwater report (typically prepared by a qualified professional) with your planning application will assist council planners to assess compliance with the relevant planning provisions. A stormwater report should contain detailed information on:

• Your proposed development
• Site layout plan, catchment areas and water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatment systems
• Modelling to demonstrate compliance with current best practice performance objectives
• Functional design consideration
• Site management plan; and
• Asset maintenance program

Further resources for each of these points are listed below.

2. Planning permit considerations

When designing stormwater management systems we advise a pre-application discussion between the applicant and their local council, as other planning provisions and local planning policies may be relevant. Some councils may also provide an alternative option of paying a partial or full offset payment in lieu of on-site treatment.

Permit application requirements may vary for different development types and from council to council. Some councils may only request a site layout plan showing the WSUD treatment systems proposed and demonstration that there is space to accommodate such treatment and that it satisfies all VPP objectives and standards.

Applicants are strongly recommended to discuss requirements with their local council and referral authorities before preparing their Planning Permit Application.

Contact details for local councils in Victoria.

Resources to support development of a stormwater report

Stormwater site layout plan, catchment areas and WSUD treatment systems

• Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management (BPEM) Guidelines (CSIRO) - designed to meet the needs of people involved in the planning, design or management of urban land uses or stormwater drainage systems
• Options for treating stormwater using WSUD (Melbourne Water) - Find out more about water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatments and choose one or more that best suit your needs
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (CSIRO) - Practical engineering solutions to those who need to implement WSUD
• Hume City Council Industrial Stormwater Code of Practice - provides requirements and guidance for stormwater management on industrial sites. It applies to industrial and warehousing businesses, including businesses that are leasing properties
• Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - South Eastern Councils (Melbourne Water) - provides design and maintenance procedures, typical drawings, design checklists, landscape requirements, worked examples and case studies

Modelling to demonstrate compliance

• MUSIC is a computer model representing a project or catchment area, the drainage connections and a series of stormwater treatments. It simulates rainfall and runoff at six-minute intervals over at least one year, and then treatment by sediment basins, wetlands and other water sensitive urban design measures.
  • Purchase MUSIC from eWater (training courses also available).
  • Melbourne Water’s MUSIC Guidelines provides guidance on modelling approaches and input parameters for MUSIC models submitted to Melbourne Water
  • MUSIC Auditor Tool - as part of the assessment of the development application the assessor can use this tool to review the MUSIC file submitted
• STORM - The general public can use the STORM calculator to design small residential and commercial developments, ensuring they achieve the stormwater treatment objectives required by state and local government planning provisions.
• Insite Water - website toolkit designed for single lots on sites up to 1 ha. Guides you through every part of Best Practice StormwaterManagement design

Functional design considerations

• Clearwater Tool for Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - provides an overview of a selection of some of the best available WSUD guidelines
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (eBook, Melbourne Water) - Practical engineering solutions for those who need to implement WSUD
• Adoption guidelines for stormwater biofiltration systems (previously called the FAWB Adoption Guidelines) - have been prepared by the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities to assist in the development of biofiltration systems
• Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) - contains specific design standards for WSUD systems. Regional and rural councils have provided preferences for WSUD within their area
• Moreland City Council’s Streetscape raingarden and tree pit design package - provides a suite of design elements and standard drawings to assist in the efficient design and successful implementation of raingardens and tree pit projects
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands
• Trees for Cooler and Greener Streetscapes (DELWP) – Guidelines for streetscape planning and design
• MW Raingarden Fact Sheets - Raingarden designs and resources to build your own raingarden along with examples across Melbourne

Site management plan

• Reducing erosion and sedimentation risk: Guidelines for industry (EPA website) - presents a risk-based approach to preventing and minimising impacts from erosion and sedimentation
• Construction techniques for sediment pollution control (1991, EPA publication 275) – helps protect the environment while increasing construction efficiencies and reducing land development costs
• Keeping our stormwater clean - a builder's guide (2006, Melbourne Water) – suitable for lot scale developments
• Site Environmental Management Plan kit (Melbourne Water) - provides land developers, consultants and contractors with a step by step process for developing a comprehensive site specific Environmental Management Plan for subdivision construction sites
• Construction - Guide to preventing harm to people and the environment (2020, EPA publication 1820) - outlines how to manage the risks in construction, provides an outline of your legal obligations, what actions you can take to comply with the new laws and contains a list of common hazards and information about how to manage waste. The guide does not tell you about the controls to put in place to suit your circumstances.
• Civil construction, building and demolition guide (2020, EPA publication 1834) - supports industry to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm to human health and the environment through good environmental practice. It provides an overview of the duties under the new laws, outlines a risk based to approach for assessing and managing risks, and includes information on controls that you can put in place to manage your risks.

Asset maintenance program

• Stormwater Victoria WSUD Audit Guidelines - describes how to undertake audits of WSUD assets to determine their condition and identify maintenance and renewal requirements
• Maintenance Manual Rainwater Tank, (Port Phillip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic rainwater tank and the recommended frequency of each task
• Maintenance Manual Raingarden (Port Philip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic raingarden and the recommended frequency of each task
• WSUD Maintenance Guidelines (Melbourne Water) - these guidelines provide simple, standardised guidance for designing and implementing maintenance programmes for WSUD assets
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands

You can also access the full range of this Online Navigator Tool's resources here.

If you have any feedback on this tool or would like to contact the Clearwater team, please email us.

This is the final step in the Online Navigator Tool

The information contained on this page can be downloaded for future reference using the Print PDF button below.

Applicable stormwater planning provisions

The VPP clauses contain both objectives and standards. Objectives describe the desired outcome to be achieved and the standard contains the requirements to meet the objectives.

Statewide stormwater planning provisions applicable to the application include:

• Clause 55.03-4 - Permeability and stormwater management objectives and associated standards

Clause 55.03-4 Permeability and stormwater management objectives

• To reduce the impact of increased stormwater run-off on the drainage system
• To facilitate on-site stormwater infiltration
• To encourage stormwater management that maximises the retention and reuse of stormwater

Site management

The applicant needs to demonstrate to council that the proposed development is designed to maintain or improve the quality of stormwater within and exiting the site (VPP Clause 65.01). Council may specify permit conditions which may require a site management plan.

Preparing a Stormwater Report

1. Design considerations

The best choice of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) treatment system for the development depends on several criteria:

• Development size (i.e. the larger the impervious area of the development, the more stormwater it generates and therefore the larger the treatment system needs to be)
• Treatment efficiency (i.e. the ability of the system to meet current best practice performance objectives and any other relevant requirements).
• Constructability (i.e. available space, position, slope, soil type, interaction with other services)
• Ease of operation/maintenance (i.e. checking for blockages, cleaning, servicing pumps, weed control, removing sediment, safety)
• Costs (i.e. cost to construct, operate and maintain the treatment system)

Submitting a stormwater report (typically prepared by a qualified professional) with your planning application will assist council planners to assess compliance with the relevant planning provisions. A stormwater report should contain detailed information on:

• Your proposed development
• Site layout plan, catchment areas and water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatment systems
• Modelling to demonstrate compliance with current best practice performance objectives
• Functional design consideration
• Site management plan; and
• Asset maintenance program

Further resources for each of these points are listed below.

2. Planning permit considerations

When designing stormwater management systems we advise a pre-application discussion between the applicant and their local council, as other planning provisions and local planning policies may be relevant. Some councils may also provide an alternative option of paying a partial or full offset payment in lieu of on-site treatment.

Permit application requirements may vary for different development types and from council to council. Some councils may only request a site layout plan showing the WSUD treatment systems proposed and demonstration that there is space to accommodate such treatment and that it satisfies all VPP objectives and standards.

Applicants are strongly recommended to discuss requirements with their local council and referral authorities before preparing their Planning Permit Application.

Contact details for local councils in Victoria.

Resources to support development of a stormwater report

Stormwater site layout plan, catchment areas and WSUD treatment systems

• Urban Stormwater Best Practice Environmental Management (BPEM) Guidelines (CSIRO) - designed to meet the needs of people involved in the planning, design or management of urban land uses or stormwater drainage systems
• Options for treating stormwater using WSUD (Melbourne Water) - Find out more about water sensitive urban design (WSUD) treatments and choose one or more that best suit your needs
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (CSIRO) - Practical engineering solutions to those who need to implement WSUD
• Hume City Council Industrial Stormwater Code of Practice - provides requirements and guidance for stormwater management on industrial sites. It applies to industrial and warehousing businesses, including businesses that are leasing properties
• Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - South Eastern Councils (Melbourne Water) - provides design and maintenance procedures, typical drawings, design checklists, landscape requirements, worked examples and case studies

Modelling to demonstrate compliance

• MUSIC is a computer model representing a project or catchment area, the drainage connections and a series of stormwater treatments. It simulates rainfall and runoff at six-minute intervals over at least one year, and then treatment by sediment basins, wetlands and other water sensitive urban design measures.
  • Purchase MUSIC from eWater (training courses also available).
  • Melbourne Water’s MUSIC Guidelines provides guidance on modelling approaches and input parameters for MUSIC models submitted to Melbourne Water
  • MUSIC Auditor Tool - as part of the assessment of the development application the assessor can use this tool to review the MUSIC file submitted
• STORM - The general public can use the STORM calculator to design small residential and commercial developments, ensuring they achieve the stormwater treatment objectives required by state and local government planning provisions.
• Insite Water - website toolkit designed for single lots on sites up to 1 ha. Guides you through every part of Best Practice StormwaterManagement design

Functional design considerations

• Clearwater Tool for Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines - provides an overview of a selection of some of the best available WSUD guidelines
• WSUD Engineering Procedures: Stormwater (eBook, Melbourne Water) - Practical engineering solutions for those who need to implement WSUD
• Adoption guidelines for stormwater biofiltration systems (previously called the FAWB Adoption Guidelines) - have been prepared by the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities to assist in the development of biofiltration systems
• Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) - contains specific design standards for WSUD systems. Regional and rural councils have provided preferences for WSUD within their area
• Moreland City Council’s Streetscape raingarden and tree pit design package - provides a suite of design elements and standard drawings to assist in the efficient design and successful implementation of raingardens and tree pit projects
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands
• Trees for Cooler and Greener Streetscapes (DELWP) – Guidelines for streetscape planning and design
• MW Raingarden Fact Sheets - Raingarden designs and resources to build your own raingarden along with examples across Melbourne

Site management plan

• Reducing erosion and sedimentation risk: Guidelines for industry (EPA website) - presents a risk-based approach to preventing and minimising impacts from erosion and sedimentation
• Construction techniques for sediment pollution control (1991, EPA publication 275) – helps protect the environment while increasing construction efficiencies and reducing land development costs
• Keeping our stormwater clean - a builder's guide (2006, Melbourne Water) – suitable for lot scale developments
• Site Environmental Management Plan kit (Melbourne Water) - provides land developers, consultants and contractors with a step by step process for developing a comprehensive site specific Environmental Management Plan for subdivision construction sites
• Construction - Guide to preventing harm to people and the environment (2020, EPA publication 1820) - outlines how to manage the risks in construction, provides an outline of your legal obligations, what actions you can take to comply with the new laws and contains a list of common hazards and information about how to manage waste. The guide does not tell you about the controls to put in place to suit your circumstances.
• Civil construction, building and demolition guide (2020, EPA publication 1834) - supports industry to eliminate or reduce the risk of harm to human health and the environment through good environmental practice. It provides an overview of the duties under the new laws, outlines a risk based to approach for assessing and managing risks, and includes information on controls that you can put in place to manage your risks.

Asset maintenance program

• Stormwater Victoria WSUD Audit Guidelines - describes how to undertake audits of WSUD assets to determine their condition and identify maintenance and renewal requirements
• Maintenance Manual Rainwater Tank, (Port Phillip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic rainwater tank and the recommended frequency of each task
• Maintenance Manual Raingarden (Port Philip) - lists the key tasks required to maintain a domestic raingarden and the recommended frequency of each task
• WSUD Maintenance Guidelines (Melbourne Water) - these guidelines provide simple, standardised guidance for designing and implementing maintenance programmes for WSUD assets
• Constructed Wetlands Design Manual (Melbourne Water) – to help the land development industry and professionals who design, construct and establish constructed wetlands

You can also access the full range of this Online Navigator Tool's resources here.

If you have any feedback on this tool or would like to contact the Clearwater team, please email us.

This tool cannot determine what clauses you need to apply to your application. Please contact info@clearwatervic.com.au for more details for your specific application.

A Stormwater Assessment may be required, based on the specific requirements of the zone and any schedules which may apply. It is recommended that you contact Council to confirm this directly.

A Stormwater Assessment may be required if an approved Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) applies.

The applicable stormwater planning provisions are determined by the future land use identified in the PSP for the site, and the ‘applied zone’ listed in the zone schedule for that land use.

To identify the relevant stormwater management requirements, the Victorian planning requirements for stormwater management - Online Navigator Tool may be run again using the applied zone for the site.