Managing stormwater across the Shire

Stormwater is water that runs off surfaces such as roads and footpaths into drains. As it flows into our drains, it gets contaminated by pollutants such as litter, sediment and oil, all of which ultimately end up in our creeks, rivers and lakes.

To mitigate this in some urban areas in the Shire, we have adopted Water Sensitive Urban Design principles to capture, manage and store runoff via constructed wetlands. These wetlands act as stormwater treatment sites, but in time also become thriving ecosystems providing habitat for native plants and wildlife, and beautiful passive recreation spaces in which to spend time.

There are currently twelve established stormwater treatment sites around the Shire, with more planned for the future. Information for two of these sites can be found below, with more site summaries to be added soon.

To find out more about Integrated Water Management (IWM) visit: https://www.water.vic.gov.au/our-programs/integrated-water-management

Elgin Road Stormwater Treatment Wetlands, Beechworth

The Elgin Road Stormwater Treatment Wetlands were created in 2008/09, as part of a project to manage and treat stormwater runoff from three nearby residential developments.

Stormwater is initially collected in a stormwater retention basin at nearby Havelock Road. From here, some of the water is used to supplement the irrigation of Baarmutha Park oval, and the remainder is piped down to the Elgin Road wetlands.

The wetlands are comprised of a series of four interconnecting ponds, which have been designed to give stormwater laden with nutrients and any residual sediment a long, slow path through a densely planted treatment environment before being discharged into Silver Creek (a tributary of Ovens River). Water flows via a series of culverts through the wetland ponds. Pollutants are removed by native wetland plants and microorganisms within the shallow ponds.

The wetland and its associated walking tracks and interpretive signage is a beautiful destination for the local community and visitors to connect with natural values, and experience what a healthy water system looks like. The wetlands create habitat for a range of native species, including plants, frogs, birds and aquatic macroinvertebrates. The site acts as a corridor with other remnant patches of habitat, which enables migration of species through the area. The wetland site also has connectivity with other trails in the area, including a walkway along Silver Creek with signage highlighting the Aboriginal cultural values associated with the creek.

Aerial view of stormwater harvesting and retention basin at Havelock Road (2023)

Stormwater treatment wetlands design

Elgin Road stormwater treatment wetlands, Beechworth (2023)

Interpretive signage at Elgin Road stormwater treatment wetlands (2024)

Bells Flat Road Wetland, Yackandandah

This wetland was created in 2014 as part of a planning permit condition, to manage stormwater from a residential development (and the entire upstream catchment) at Connel Street in Yackandandah. The project also presented an opportunity to re-establish some of the Yackandandah Creek's fringing wetlands that were destroyed by gold mining, and thus provide wider amenity and habitat value.

The site experienced some initial setbacks after construction, but subsequent enhancements of the site by Council in 2020 (including new plantings of native vegetation to further treat stormwater, walking tracks and interpretive signage) have transformed it into a haven for wildlife, a safe and engaging place for visitors to explore, and a natural filter to protect the Yackandandah Creek’s environment from stormwater pollution. It will also provide a source of water for irrigating nearby Yackandandah Sports Park in the future.