Managing the Water Cycle for Rural Subdivisions
Abstract
Rural subdivisions are becoming more popular as people who work in the city during the week seek a rural existence for the weekend or simply have made a conscious decision to live in a rural setting and to compute to the city for work. Rural areas are being subdivided into lots of around 0.4 to 10 hectares to accommodate this market niche. The trend appears to be a worldwide phenomenon, particularly for higher income earning professionals who do not necessarily want more than a couple of acres.
The water cycle for any development consists of water, wastewater and stormwater. Wastewater and stormwater in rural subdivisions can contribute to significant degradation of the surrounding catchment and environs if the development has not planned for and utilised best management practices. Developers and Councils alike should be aware of water cycle issues, both practical and regulatory, when a rural development is proposed or being assessed. This becomes particularly acute when the development application incorporates what could be considered "environmental sensitive" areas. These areas are often the most desirable for people to live, for instance near a creek or river or in areas abundant in wildlife.
When writing or considering development applications for environmentally sensitive areas, "Best Management Practices" or BMPs have to, by necessity, be applied to ensure the best possible environmental outcomes. All phases of the water cycle should be considered such as the management of stormwater, potable water, greywater and blackwater as well as issues such as erosion, vegetation management, the need for buffer zones, land compatibility, surface and ground water. This paper gives a brief overview of some the issues associated with rural subdivisions.