PLACEnews June 2010 Issue 7
South Bank Corporation, Brisbane – Urban Stormwater Harvesters
South Bank Corporation is augmenting its sustainability agenda with a new urban Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse Centre (SHARC) currently under construction in the Parklands, South Bank in the heart of Brisbane. With a vision to becoming a national leader in water conservation and environmental sustainability, SHARC will improve water efficiency and reduce reliance on potable water across the Parklands.
Stormwater harvesting is relatively rare in urban settings due to lack of underground space for reservoirs, however during Brisbane’s recent drought years, South Bank Corporation reconfigured its development plans to maximise place management for environmental gain.
SHARC will feature three key components:
• a Stormwater Harvesting and Interception Pit (SHIP), constructed on an existing large diameter underground stormwater drain;
• an underground reinforced concrete storage tank (SHARC) and a plant room into which the intercepted water will be pumped, stored and treated for re-use;
• and underground reticulation throughout the Parklands for water to be pumped where needed.
Construction is well underway, with the SHARC tank being dug between the Brisbane Wheel and South Bank Parklands’ Rainforest. The system will divert stormwater runoff into the tank from a 30 hectare West End catchment. Collected stormwater will be pre-treated prior to storage, then filtered and disinfected for reuse before distribution through new water pipelines.
An estimated 77 mega-litres of stormwater per annum will be harvested, stored and treated – the equivalent of 30 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Once up and running, it is estimated that SHARC will provide up to 85 per cent of the Parklands' estimated irrigation demand as well as progressively supplementing water features and the flushing of toilets when surplus is available.
SHARC is being developed below a 900m2 area off Russell Street and once construction is completed, the above ground area will be converted into green space and landscaping that will be sensitively merged with South Bank’s iconic rainforest. Landscape specialists have been engaged to ensure the completed site meets the aesthetic needs of the Parklands and local community.
SHARC is the latest jewel in South Bank Corporation’s comprehensive water conservation strategy. Water saving initiatives already in place across the Parklands include everything from spring loaded taps to waterless urinals, and the collection and reuse of excess water from pools and lagoons. Further innovations will continue to be added by South Bank Corporation’s dedicated water technicians and horticulturalists who continually seek to improve the environmental integrity of all our places.
The finished plant will include a state-of-the-art underground display area with a viewing deck, enabling visitors and locals to view the treatment process as it happens. Touch screen technology will enable visitors to view the stormwater story, vital statistics and flow rates; providing year-round educational opportunities for visitors to learn about water conservation.
The project has been made possible through a combined package of $3.3 million funding from the Australian Government’s Water for the Future program and $4.65 million from the Queensland Government, combined with South Bank Corporation’s own contribution. The system is expected to be completed by January 2011.
