Brisbane City Council (BCC) has been implementing Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) approaches in various forms for two decades. Like every other form of infrastructure, the stormwater treatment assets constructed as a part of water sensitive urban design (WSUD) require management and maintenance if they are to function as intended. Within BCC, stormwater treatment assets are known as WaterSmart assets. Fully functioning WaterSmart assets help to protect and enhance waterways, as well as contributing to amenity and urban greening.

In recent years, BCC has worked hard to ensure that its WaterSmart assets are managed and maintained appropriately. This work has included developing and updating its WaterSmart Asset Register, undertaking condition assessments of WaterSmart assets and developing a prioritisation method for maintenance and planning purposes. Collectively, these activities have provided a basis from which to quantify and prioritise the future operation, maintenance and rehabilitation needs of the assets.

As a result of this auditing process, Council is currently in the process of rectifying the WaterSmart Assets that require extensive redesign/ maintenance to become functional. This paper will present results of the work undertaken so far, with lessons and case studies to assist other local governments and private asset owners to sustainably manage their stormwater treatment assets.

Please note – should this abstract be accepted into the conference program, the author’s acceptance of the offer to present will be contingent on further Council approval.