WSUD Showcase
A WSUD showcase project has been identified as a key component of implementing the
WSUD Strategy for Darwin Harbour. An iconic project acts as a demonstration site for
all stakeholders including practitioners, community groups and government. The showcase
provides key learning experiences to inform the development of WSUD policy and guidelines
and provides an excellent education and capacity building opportunity.
The Bellamack land release zone in Palmerston has been selected as the key WSUD showcase
project for the Darwin Region.
Bellamack
The City of Palmerston contains the major urban growth area of the Darwin Region, and
Bellamack is the next suburb to be developed within Palmerston. The planning for the
Bellamack site is currently being undertaken by the Northern Territory Government –
Department of Planning & Infrastructure (DPI). DPI has identified the overarching
philosophy associated with the design of Bellamack as that of sustainability.
Sustainability in the context of Bellamack is directed towards achieving a standard of
development which is informed by the environment of the place, its topography, vegetation,
soils and distinctive drainage regime. Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) provides a key
set of design principles underpinning the planning and design for Bellamack. WSUD
principles for Bellamack support two overarching goals:
- to minimise the potential impact of stormwater pollution and wastewater discharges on Darwin Harbour; and
- to conserve mains water and reduce potential demands on water supplies in the Darwin Region.
A site-specific WSUD Strategy has been developed for the Bellamack development site. The
WSUD Strategy aims to deliver these goals through the following initiatives:
- Three constructed ephemeral wetlands for the treatment of stormwater
- A non-potable water supply reticulation network within the development will supply water for outdoor uses, including irrigation of public and private landscapes
- Initially, groundwater will supply the non-potable reticulation network
- Ultimately, recycled wastewater from Palmerston WSP will be supplied to the Bellamack non-potable water supply reticulation network
- Additional water conservation will be pursued by adopting demand management measures within all public buildings and public open space, and the active promotion of demand management within private dwellings and private open space
The full strategy for Bellamack is outlined in the Bellamack WSUD Strategy (insert link to strategy doc on publications page).
The strategy will be developed and refined throughout the design process for Bellamack,
in consultation with the urban design, landscape architecture and wider project teams.
