Moreland's streetscape raingarden and tree pit design package

The purpose of the package

The purpose of the package is to improve the quality of streetscape raingardens and tree pits being designed and constructed within Merri-bek.

The package begins by setting out a design procedure for streetscape water sensitive urban design (WSUD) projects, and then focuses on the individual elements required to create functional and attractive designs. It defines options for each of the individual components that users can then choose between to create a final design and produce a full specification. As many of the principles of the package may be universally applied, distribution of the package will also assist other Victorian, Australian and worldwide WSUD projects.

Who can use the package

To assist improving the standard of WSUD streetscape raingarden and tree pit design across the entire WSUD industry, the document and its associated components are being made publically available for free, in full modifiable form.

We anticipate that the package will be most useful for other Councils, who can use the package 'as is' or who may want to tailor sections of the document for their specific WSUD situations.

Development of the document has greatly assisted Merri-bek Council in setting agreed internal standards and for engaging staff from departments all across Council in the WSUD program, and we are happy to assist other Councils along this journey.

We anticipate the package will be of great assistance to consultants working for Councils and other organisations who are implementing WSUD. We hope that this package helps to produce a better outcome on these projects.

Overview of the package

Water sensitive urban design is a key component of sustainable water management and improvement of water quality. Successful WSUD requires a holistic approach that combines these objectives with improvements to public open space and recreational and visual amenity for the community.

Moreland City Council’s WSUD Raingarden Standard Design Scenario 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. The package guides the user through the process of designing raingardens and, by providing key design elements, allows the user to produce a tailored raingarden or tree pit design.

The package provides a tool for assisting Merri-bek City Council in meeting stormwater pollutant load reduction targets through the efficient delivery of streetscape raingardens.