Resilient Flood Planning Project
Project status – In progress
What is this project and why are we doing it?
The City of Adelaide is undertaking data surveying and modelling of its stormwater drainage system to develop a Stormwater Management Plan for the improvement of the city’s flood resilience.
A Stormwater Management Plan allows us to renew and upgrade the aged stormwater assets to mitigate disaster risk, impacts and potential consequences associated with large-scale flooding across our city.
To develop the Stormwater Management Plan, the City of Adelaide has received grant funding from the Australian Government to:
Stage 1
Undertake a survey of City of Adelaide existing stormwater drainage network to better understand the current condition of the system and identify the non-recorded stormwater assets to be registered in the asset register.
Stage 2
Develop flood modelling for the City of Adelaide based on existing infrastructure, including identification of any gaps between the existing service level and defined service standard to improve our flood resilience and water quality. Stormwater modelling is expected to commence by the end of 2023.
Stage 3
Develop the Stormwater Management Plan. Community feedback will be sought on the draft Stormwater Management Plan.
As part of our commitment to climate change, the City of Adelaide has been undertaking action to address climate change for over two decades.
Cities are especially vulnerable to climate change impacts, particularly flooding and extreme heat. In the City of Adelaide, it is projected that we will see a decrease in rainfall overall but an increase in extreme rainfall and flooding events.
To ensure we are managing the effects of climate change, the City of Adelaide undertook a Climate Change Risk Assessment in 2019/20 and is implementing a Climate Change Risk Adaptation Action Plan 2021-2026 to address and mitigate risks.
Some of the key high risks identified are in relation to the City of Adelaide stormwater drainage network which is approaching its end of useful life.
To address these risks, the City of Adelaide has adaptation actions including surveying, modelling and planning for a stormwater system in a climate change scenario, as part of the Resilient Flood Planning project.
What are we doing?
The Resilient Flood Planning Project will deliver:
- Reliable, verified survey and condition data pertaining to our stormwater assets that have an approximate average age of 100 years.
- Stormwater and flood modelling using up to date climate change rainfall scenarios.
- A Stormwater Management Plan which allows the City of Adelaide to renew and upgrade the aged stormwater assets to mitigate the disaster risk, impacts and potential consequences associated with large-scale flooding across our city.
When is this happening?
Work began in December 2023 and will be in stages:
- Stage 1: Stormwater Data Survey, Visual Inspection and Condition Assessment – (North Adelaide will be completed by the first week of July 2024, the CBD is in progress)
- The City of Adelaide undertook a survey of existing stormwater drainage network to identify and resolve any data to understand the current condition of the system.
- Stage 2: Stormwater Modelling
- Expected to start in July 2024.
- Stage 3: Develop Stormwater Management Plan (SMP)
- Commences on completion of stage 2. We will be seeking feedback from stakeholders and the community to inform the development of the SMP.
Frequently asked questions
Stormwater is the water that accumulates during and after rainfall events. Stormwater can collect on surfaces such as streets, parking lots, and rooftops; and can flow into storm drains, streams, and rivers. In urban areas, where there are a lot of hard surface areas, stormwater runoff can cause flooding and erosion, and can carry pollutants such as oil, chemicals, and trash into waterways, which can have negative impacts on aquatic life and public safety and health. Managing stormwater is an important aspect of urban and suburban development and environmental management.
A Stormwater Management Plan (SMP) is a strategic planning documents that aims to address stormwater problems and guide investments for reducing flood risk and maximising stormwater reuse, environmental protection, and public amenity. Local councils prepare SMPs with multi-objective planning, considering flood risk, water quality, and stormwater reuse.
The Stormwater Management Plan (SMP) plays a crucial role in providing a strategic framework for integrated stormwater management in a catchment area. The SMP provides supports for catchment-scale stormwater planning, ensuring the consideration of adequate flood mitigation, water quality, and reuse opportunities.
The City of Adelaide will work with a consultant to develop the Stormwater Management Plan to comply with the Stormwater Management Authority (SMA) Guidelines. The Stormwater Management Plan will be assessed as complying with the Guidelines on Stormwater Management Planning and will be approved by the SMA.
Do you have an issue with stormwater in the City of Adelaide that you need to report? Please let us know:
- Submit an online report here
- By email to [email protected]
- By phone on 8203 7203 (Customer Centre opening hours are 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday)
Need more information?
Contact Project Manager, Infrastructure Delivery, Rene Basse, for enquiries: