Integrated Water Management Plan – Merrimu PSP Area
Stamoulis Property Group, Bacchus Marsh Developments
Pullerbopulloke / Bacchus Marsh, Victoria
2023
Ongoing
The Merrimu precinct is located approximately 46 km north-west of Melbourne, to the northeast of Bacchus Marsh and covers an area of around 1,016 hectares.
Rain Consulting developed an Integrated Water Management Plan (IWMP) for the Merrimu Future Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) Area. The client sought clarity on which of the Integrated Water Management (IWM) options recommended in the Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) Merrimu IWM Opportunities Report are appropriate under the local site conditions.
Above & Beyond Strategies
The project aimed to assess whether the expected rainfall and catchment area at the development site were sufficient to supply reliable alternative water sources to meet water-use demand. The IWM Plan investigated (and will continue to investigate) the applicability of various IWM measures in finer detail.
Rain delivered the following services.
- Analysis of the local and regional IWM measures, such as the use of rainwater tanks, passive irrigation of street trees, stormwater harvesting for the irrigation of active open spaces, proposed urban farm and local gardens, among others.
- The analysis included technical water balance and quality modelling using ‘MUSIC’ software. We determined the reliability of alternative water supplies, conducted a seasonal analysis, and assessed the scale at which IWM measures are required to be effective in the local context.
- Recommendations of the IWM measures that the developer should consider as the development progresses into mature stages.
Explored options to optimise performance, meeting best practice standards while looking for opportunities to provide multiple benefits to the site location.
Rain assisted the developers in the decision-making process to determine which Integrated Water Management measures should be investigated and adopted as the development progresses into its later stages.
Rain recommended continual updating of the IWM plan to reflect changes in functional and detailed design through to delivery.
