Environmental Investigation

Overview 

As part of the work towards developing the integrated planning for a sustainable 21st Century City Centre, an environmental and water investigation program is proceeding. GHD has been appointed as the consultant to conduct this environmental and water study, and you may notice GHD staff in the study area.  

This work is a key milestone for the Stirling City Centre Alliance, and reflects our commitment to environmental health and sustainability as an integral step in our planning.


Map of the Stirling City Centre study area 

The yellow area highlighted in the map to the right defines the study area for this project. 

Download full size map of the study area with descriptive information.


What's happening? (September - October 2011) 

  • The District Water Management Strategy document has been completed.
  • GHD has been appointed to conduct a major water modelling and environmental analysis program, over the next 2 years.
  • A baseline water quality and water flow/ level study has been completed, for the Osborne Park Main Drain, together with existing bores in the Study Area.
  • Initial Indigenous Heritage consultations are complete for the drilling program, with further follow up planned.
  • An idependent Department of Environment and Conservation  (DEC) auditor (Coffey Environments) has been appointed to review the GHD Study.
  • A substantial bore drilling program will commence on Monday 19 September 2011 in the Study Area, to assess water quality in bores, together with groundwater levels.  These bores will sample for  acid sulphate soils and groundwater contamination.
  • Preparations are underway for a major land survey over the Study Area, to provide data for the hydraulic design of water pipework and urban stream systems, together with information on earthworks requirements in road design.  A cadastral survey will be completed.
  • Preparations are underway for advertising major tenders, including the Utility Infrastructure Strategy and Urban Design and Landscaping Strategies. A review of potential remediation issues is occurring.

Environmental Health Program 

These studies will be integrated into an Environmental Master Strategy and Plan.  This Plan will be integrated into other aspects of the City Centre development vision, including Accessibility and Urban Form, and Community Wellbeing.

1. District Water Management Strategy

This aims to deliver an innovative urban design that ensures an enduring, natural water management system, and encourages a new relationship with water, that achieves wellbeing for all.  This includes:

  • Restoration, remediation and enhancement of ecosystems in an urban context.
  • Maximising water harvesting, capture and re-use to provide fit-for-purpose water for all users within the Stirling City Centre area.
  • Conservation of all forms of water through improved water demand management and gains in efficiency of use.
  • Delivery of an urban stream environment that provides attractive urban amenity, and provides protection from flooding.
  • Achieving water sensitive landscapes (both public and private realm) which reflect the Western Australian climate.

2. Water Modelling and Environmental Analysis

GHD has been appointed to conduct a major investigation, to help better understand the environmental and water issues, and to provide information to support detailed planning and design of the development.  This is broken up into 4 stages:

Stage 1:  Further Site Characterisation:

  • Investigation soil and groundwater contamination, and acid sulphate soils.
  • Investigation of surface water flow, level and quality in the Osborne Park Branch Drain, and their relationship to rainfall and runoff in the site catchment.  This includes groundwater levels, quality and seepage to surface water systems.

This stage is underway and includes the substantial bore drilling program.  The investigation involves substantial groundwater and surface water sampling over an 18 month period - two winters and one summer - providing information for the water modelling program.

Stage 2:  Modelling of surface and groundwater flows and levels in the Study Area:

  • Modelling of current conditions
  • Modelling of current and future conditions, also considering various climate change scenarios
  • Development of total water cycle options for the Structure Plan Area.

This modelling will be conceptually planned in early 2012, with updated data configuration by October 2012, capturing the 2011 and 2012 winter peak water levels.

Stages 3 & 4:  Preparation of an Environmental Master Plan:

  • This will be the initial stage of integrating the environmental and water issues with the wider design aspects of the City Centre development.
  • It will integrate the Water Cycle Plan and Urban Stream design into the city centre development.

This workshop is planned for October 2012, after completion of the water modelling.

3. Utility Infrastructure Strategy

This will explore the provision of key services infrastructure for the City Centre, including water, energy and waste management.  It will examine the conventional approach, through to best international practice in innovative technologies, to address emerging trends in peak oil consumption and climate change issues.  Key aspects to be examined are below:

  • Green building design
  • Water sensitive urban design
  • Renewable energy generation and storage
  • Conventional and distributed water and wastewater infrastructure
  • Possible geothermal and heat exchange technologies, and solar thermal energy
  • Smart transport options
  • Innovative waste management systems
  • Associated governance structures and contracting arrangements

The tender will soon be advertised, with an aim of a consultant commencing work in late 2011.

4. Remediation Strategies

There are some existing environmental issues which need to be addressed, to provide a high level of environmental amenity in the City Centre.  These include:

  • The existing Hertha Road Tip site
  • Substantial areas of peat soil, which could give rise to acid sulphate soils, if groundwater levels drop substantially below the peat level
  • Osborne Park industrial area (unsewered).

A review will occur, in conjunction with Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) Guidelines, to enable the development of an urban stream with high public amenity. It will consider management and infrastructure issues associated with remediation of the Hertha Road Tip site, and management of acid sulphate soils issues. An independent DEC Auditor has been appointed, to assist in this process.

5. Urban Design and Landscaping Strategy

Urban design and landscaping strategies will examine the following areas:

  • Managing stormwater on a sustainable basis, integrated with public open space, urban design, and green spaces.
  • Design of road reserves, including tree species, pavement surfaces, water sensitive design, heat island effects.
  • Opportunities for active and passive recreation, integrated with different transport modes, including walking and bicycles, and provision for the aged/disabled.
  • Producing vibrancy and visual beauty in the urban environment.
  • Integration with other aspects of the City Centre design.

The tender will soon be advertised, with an aim of a consultant commencing work in late 2011.

Find out more 

  • More information will be made available on our website as it becomes available.
  • Any queries may be directed to Bernie O’Leary (Stirling City Centre Alliance Environmental Project Manager) on 08 9204 7601. See Contact us for more details.
  • See Environment section of our publications page to read the District Water Management Strategy and other related reports.