A Case Study of 45 Shand Road Reservoir

In the heart of Reservoir, Victoria, a new type of revolution is quietly unfolding. It's not political or technological, but rather, hydrological. This is the story of 45 Shand Road, a development project that's rewriting the guidebook on rainwater management in urban housing.

Harnessing Rain: A Resource, Not a Threat

Imagine a development where the rain that falls from the sky isn't seen as a flooding threat, but as a resource to be harnessed and used. Where the concept of stormwater runoff is turned on its head, no longer viewed as an inconvenience but rather as an opportunity for thriving gardens, lower utility bills, and mitigating the urban heat island effect - a challenging phenomenon where urban areas become significantly warmer than their rural surroundings, as their surfaces absorb and hold the heat.

Shift from Grey to Green

Brought to life by Ys Housing in collaboration with the CRC for Water Sensitive Cities, Monash University, E2Design and Ipsum Structures, this project represents a radical departure from traditional approaches to managing water in urban settings. 

Here, “grey infrastructure” like concrete pits, tanks, and pipes, are replaced with water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) elements that blend seamlessly with the landscape, enhancing local biodiversity.

Rainwater Tanks, Swales, and Rain Gardens

Each of the four townhouses is equipped with a rainwater tank. Alongside, a vegetated swale runs the length of the driveway, and a rain garden graces the front boundary of the property, designed to support tree growth. These elements serve a greater purpose beyond their visual appeal; they actively contribute to the intricate dance of:

1. Water infiltration, 

2. Evaporation, and 

3. Transpiration.

Symphony of Infiltration, Evaporation and Transpiration

Water infiltration - refers to the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil. In the context of the 45 Shand Road development, the presence of rain gardens and swales helps facilitate water infiltration. When it rains, the rainwater is captured by these features and slowly percolates into the soil, recharging groundwater and replenishing local water resources. By promoting water infiltration, the development reduces stormwater runoff and mitigates flooding.

Evaporation - is the process by which water is converted from a liquid to a vapour and released into the atmosphere. In the context of 45 Shand Road, evaporation occurs naturally from the surfaces of rain gardens, swales, and other water bodies present in the landscape. The heat from the sun causes the water to evaporate, contributing to the water cycle and the redistribution of moisture in the atmosphere. Evaporation plays a role in regulating temperature and humidity, helping to cool the surrounding environment.

Transpiration - is the process by which water vapour is released into the atmosphere from plant leaves through tiny openings called stomata, which also play a key role in photosynthesis. In the context of the 45 Shand Road development, the presence of vegetation in the rain gardens and swales promotes transpiration. As plants absorb water from the soil through their roots, the water is transported to the leaves and released as water vapour through transpiration. This process helps regulate the water balance within plants, supports their growth, and contributes to the cooling of the surrounding environment.

By incorporating features that enhance water infiltration, evaporation, and transpiration, the 45 Shand Road development:

1. improves hydrological processes, 

2. reduces stormwater runoff, 

3. promotes the natural water cycle, and 

4. contributes to a more sustainable and resilient urban environment.

Innovative Flood Management

The rainwater tanks, swales, and rain garden collectively form an innovative flood management system that reduces the need for on-site stormwater detention. Instead of directing stormwater into the street drains, the system captures and slows down the water, allowing it to be used onsite or drained slowly into the stormwater system during large rain events. This approach reduces runoff and the risk of flooding and erosion.

However, innovation doesn't come without challenges. This approach requires strong collaboration and coordination between the council, landscape design and drainage engineering teams, as well as the need for extra time and considerations, which can push against project budgets and timelines.

Yet, the implications of this project go beyond water management. 45 Shand Road is creating a blueprint for how housing can be affordable, sustainable, and water sensitive at a suburban scale. It's demonstrating how we can reduce costs by replacing conventional underground concrete stormwater detention systems with water-sensitive alternatives. It's showing us that net-zero, water-sensitive housing can be made accessible and affordable.

The 45 Shand Road development is more than a series of townhouses. It's a proof-of-concept for a new way of thinking about urban development and water management.