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Coastal and Marine Pollution
St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria
A $12m CSIRO study of the water quality in Port Phillip Bay revealed that stormwater is the primary threat to its biodiversity. An estimated 7,000 tonnes of waterborne and dissolved nitrogen compounds enter Port Phillip Bay in stormwater each year. At St Kilda, local Waterwatch groups have identified high levels of nitrates and low levels of oxygen in the stormwater inflow as a major threat to a local colony of fairy penguins.
First flush stormwater from a new housing development of 236 units ('The Inkerman Oasis') will be trapped, treated and reused for garden irrigation and toilet flushing. Garden beds, grassed areas and subsurface wetlands will remove nitrogen compounds and other micro and macro nutrients from stormwater, preventing their entry into urban waterways and Port Phillip Bay.
Compared to current building designs, the reuse of first flush stormwater will reduce the amount of potable water required by 'The Inkerman Oasis' by up to 45%. It is estimated that stormwater catchment, treatment and reuse will directly prevent 7 tonnes of nitrogen and 6.8 tonnes of phosphates entering Port Phillip Bay each year. The project results from an Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) partnership between the private sector, City of Port Phillip, applied research organisations and the community.
Garry Spivak
Private Bag 3, PO
ST KILDA VICTORIA 3182
(03) 9209 6752