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Final Draft – October 2018 IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE

State Planning Policy State Interest Water Quality 2017 Policy 5 (b)––Off-site stormwater quality management

NOT GOVERNMENT POLICY

Prepared by: Environmental Policy and Planning Division, Department of Environment and Science.

© State of Queensland, 2018.

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Citation

Final Draft October 2018, Implementation Guidance – off-site stormwater quality management to support achieving the outcomes of the State Planning Policy State Interest Water Quality 2017. DES 2018.

October 2018

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Foreword The purpose of the State Planning Policy (SPP), and its state interest statements and policies, is to “secure a liveable, sustainable and prosperous Queensland”. It requires that the various state interests are reflected in local planning instruments, regional plans and development decisions that:

strengthen our economy;

promote strong communities;

protect our environment;

wisely manage our resources; and

inform and respond to investment in infrastructure.

The SPP state interest statement for water quality is that “The environmental values and quality of Queensland waters are protected and enhanced.” State interest policies are expressed as performance outcomes that encourage innovative solutions and provide for flexibility of implementation, thus enabling local governments to adopt locally appropriate solutions (off-site solutions) that meet community needs and expectations. The water quality state interest includes Policy 5 (policy) that requires development meet post-construction stormwater management design objectives. The policy can be achieved either by stormwater quality and quantity management on-site, or off-site through an alternative and locally appropriate solution (off-site solutions) that achieves an equivalent or improved water quality outcome to the stormwater management design objectives of the SPP (Appendix 2,Table B). Off-site solutions provide flexible options to achieve the SPP State Interest Water Quality for the post-construction phase stormwater management design objectives, in-lieu of on-site compliance for stormwater quality. This Implementation Guidance document provides information for local governments and industry considering the adoption of off-site solutions in accordance with the policy. Application is limited to the post-construction phase of development. Off-site solutions do not remove the developer responsibility for achieving on-site construction phase requirements. The department gratefully acknowledges the provision of case studies by the Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd, Mackay Regional Council and Ipswich City Council.

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Contents 1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. vi 2. State Planning Policy .............................................................................................................................................. vii 3. Planning for off-site Solutions ................................................................................................................................. vii

3.1 Enabling local government policy/planning instruments and developer considerations .................................. viii 3.2 Planning for off-site solutions must demonstrate compliance and address other relevant matters .................. ix 3.3 Off-site Solutions informed by the Living Waterways or other Frameworks ....................................................... x

3.3.1 Quantitative Assessment using the Living Waterways Framework 2.0 ....................................................... x 4. Local government plans and planning scheme policies ........................................................................................ xiii 5. Developer adoption of off-site solutions ................................................................................................................ xiv 6. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting ..................................................................................................................... xiv 7. Case studies ........................................................................................................................................................... xv

Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd .......................................................................................................................................... xv Mackay Regional Council ....................................................................................................................................... xix Ipswich City Council ................................................................................................................................................ xx Ipswich Planning Scheme Implementation Guideline No. 24 https://www.ipswichplanning.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/2041/ips_implementation_guide_24.pdf ......... xx

1. Introduction Alternative locally appropriate solutions (off-site solutions) in accordance with Policy 5 (b) of the State Planning Policy State Interest Water Quality July 2017 (SPP), provide flexible options to achieve the relevant post-construction phase stormwater quality management design objectives, in-lieu of on-site compliance. Off-site solutions referred to in this implementation guidance are a voluntary option whereby local governments collect a fee from developers in lieu of on-site stormwater quality management (‘in-lieu fee’) to achieve SPP compliance with the post-construction phase stormwater management design objectives. The local government then has the responsibility to deliver the stormwater quality treatment solutions that achieve an equivalent or improved water quality outcome to the relevant stormwater management design objectives at an off-site location; the latter consistent with any relevant catchment / total water cycle management plan. The off-site location should preferably be within the same catchment as the development site, but must impact on the same receiving waters.

Off-site solutions should only be considered where it can be demonstrated, through appropriate modelling or other approaches, that an equivalent or an improved water quality outcome to the relevant stormwater management design objectives can be achieved—noting that residual on-site requirements must continue to be addressed.

Off-site solutions are intended to be voluntary for both a local government and developer, with neither being able to require that an off-site solution must be adopted. The in-lieu fee collected by a local government must be used to implement identified off-site solutions that meet the development compliance requirements, i.e. achieves an equivalent or an improved water quality outcome to the relevant stormwater management design objectives at an alternative location. Because these fees are in-lieu of on-site non-trunk infrastructure, this fee is separate, and in addition, to any trunk infrastructure charges levied by a local government under an adopted charges resolution. Off-site solutions may:

achieve greater environmental outcomes than what could be delivered through on-site solutions alone, e.g. wetlands restoration, riparian revegetation and regional bio-retentions basins;

reduce the maintenance burden from multiple small-scale stormwater treatment facilities managed by local government or private landowners;

provide an option for development to achieve the State Interest on highly constrained sites; and

provide multiple benefits to the community (enhanced liveability and lifestyles) and the environment.

Off-site solutions may include, for example, the design approaches stated under the Living Waterways Framework 2.0 (Healthy Land and Water 2018) - involving well-designed urban green infrastructure that provides multiple benefits including the protection and enhancement of natural water systems while enhancing the livability and the resilience of drinking water supplies. Other approaches adopted by a local government based on similar considerations are equally acceptable. The adoption of off-site solutions does not permit non-compliance with, or in any way diminish the achievement of the regulatory requirements under the SPP State Interest Water Quality Policy 5 (b). In adopting off-site solutions, residual on-site development requirements must also be addressed; including, for example, flooding, hydrologic management (to protect receiving waterways geomorphic stability and aquatic ecosystems), landscaping and litter control. The Planning Act 2016, published on the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning’s website, provisions state relevant legislative requirements applicable to

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off-site solutions including, for example, permitted and prohibited development conditions, agreements about development conditions and non-trunk infrastructure/infrastructure agreements/agreement for infrastructure partnerships.

2. State Planning Policy The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to local governments and industry when implementing the SPP State Interest Water Quality Policy 5 (b), that states: “At the post-construction phase, development: a) achieves the applicable post-construction phase stormwater management design objectives on-site, as identified in Table B (Appendix 2); or b) achieves an alternative locally appropriate solution off-site that achieves an equivalent or improved water quality outcome to the relevant stormwater management design objectives in Table B (Appendix 2).

In considering the implementation of off-site solutions, the following matters must be addressed in accordance with the SPP:

Application is limited to the post-construction phase of development. Off-site solutions do not remove the developer responsibility for achieving construction phase requirements, and

Off-site solutions must demonstrate the achievement of equivalent or improved water quality outcomes, to the relevant SPP post construction phase stormwater management design objectives for water quality (percentage reduction in pollution loads) at Table B (Appendix 2), and

Off-site solutions do not remove other post-construction phase stormwater management responsibilities at the development site; including for example flooding, achieving hydrologic objectives, landscaping requirements and litter control.

3. Planning for off-site Solutions In accordance with the State Planning Policy 2017 state interest policies are expressed as performance outcomes aiming to encourage innovative solutions and provide for flexibility of implementation, thus enabling local governments to adopt locally appropriate solutions that meet community needs and expectations.

In considering off-site solutions under the SPP State Interest Water Quality, under Policy 5(b) a local government must ensure compliance through the demonstration of an equivalent or improved water quality outcome to the relevant on-site stormwater management design objectives.

Planning matters for off-site solutions include:

Enabling local government policy and planning instruments and developer considerations,

Demonstrating compliance of the off-site solutions identified in assessment benchmarks in the SPP or the local government planning scheme, and

Solutions may informed by the Living Waterways Framework 2.0, or similar approaches adopted by a Local government.

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Figure 1. Post construction phase development options under SPP Policy 5(b)

3.1 Enabling local government policy/planning instruments and developer considerations

A local government may consider the development of a number of alternative policy/planning instruments, e.g. Planning Scheme Policy, Council Policy or local stormwater management plans under planning schemes that detail information and parameters relating to the planning and financial contributions required from a developer in-lieu of on-site compliance. The local government policy/planning instruments may also state where local catchment planning has identified the location and type of off-site solutions that will deliver modelled equivalent or improved water quality outcomes to the SPP stormwater management design objectives.

To ensure the State interest is achieved, for larger scale developments (e.g. greater than say 12,500m2) a local government may require on-site compliance to achieve the stormwater management design objectives.

Local government total water cycle management plans, local catchment plans or local government infrastructure plans (LGIPs) for stormwater – quality and or quantity-- may inform the potential locations for implementation of off-site solutions. Developers considering the adoption of post-construction phase off-site solutions should seek pre-application advice from the relevant local government. Developer considerations include:

Whether an off-site solution would be supported by the local government;

What stormwater treatment needs to be managed on-site and off-site (e.g. type and quantity of pollutants to be offset, landscaping and on-site stormwater quantity management);

The size and location of stormwater treatment, both on-site and off-site

On-site • Development achieves

stormwater quality management design objectives on-site.

Partial on-site, balance

off-site

• Development achieves stormwater quality management design objectives partially on-site prior to adopting Off-site Solutions for the balance of treatment.

Full off-site •

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In-lieu developer contributions required to achieve off-site solutions; and

Supporting evidence that the proposed Off-site Solution demonstrates compliance (i.e. achieves an equivalent or improved water quality outcome to the relevant stormwater management design objectives.)

3.2 Planning for off-site solutions must demonstrate compliance and address other relevant matters

Planning for offsite solutions must address regulatory compliance and should consider spatial, temporal, sustainability, receiving waters aquatic ecosystems protection, public consultation requirements and other matters, including;

Compliance—demonstrate the achievement of equivalent or improved water quality outcomes to the relevant SPP stormwater management design objectives in Appendix 2, Table B, through either:

the best available science, including modelling, to provide the supporting technical calculations—where relevant to the type of off-site solution being considered, refer to the Point Source Water Quality Offsets Policy 2018 published by the Department; or

consideration of waterway health, stormwater quality and contributions to place making and community well-being under the Living Waterways Framework, or similar approaches for Off-site solutions for waterways in public open space that may be decided by a local government; or

as determined by a local government, in accordance with the State planning Policy State Interest Water Quality 2017.

Where relevant to the type of offset being considered, compliance assessment should use the technical measures, including off-site calculations and offset ratios, listed in the Department’s (DES) Point Source Water Quality Offsets Policy 2018 and Guideline 2018 under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. (See the Department website for further details.)

Spatial location—off-site solutions should preferably be in the same catchment as the development site, but must impact on the same receiving waters.

Temporal—the implementation of off-site solutions should preferably offset the impact of development from commencement and continue for the period the impact occurs. Where onset time is delayed, offsets should be calculated to balance any initial shortfall over the life cycle (i.e. demonstrate compliance for the duration of the impact.)

Assessment of future off-site delivery sites—technical assessment of potential off-site delivery locations, and priorities, for future application is necessary to provide assurance for Council, e.g. via local catchment plans, total water cycle management plans etc.

Sustainability—off-site solutions should be designed for whole of life cycle, including design to withstand or bypass inundation from major flood events (1 in 100 year ARI, 1% AEP), to remain durable and to continue to deliver the off-site reductions in sediment and nutrient loads required to achieve SPP compliance. Where maintenance is required to restore design function after major flood events, the work must be completed as soon as possible. Where relevant, off-site solutions design and construction should be approved by a Registered Professional Engineer Queensland.

Off-site solutions must not be considered for development sites impacting on receiving waterways that are identified as high ecological value under the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009.

Off-site solutions must address the stormwater management design objectives contaminants, i.e. the same contaminants (sediments and nutrients).

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting—requirements must be addressed in accordance with the Planning Act 2016 development approval conditions.

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Consultation/reporting—in considering the need for transparent decision-making, in the planning and implementation for off-site solutions a local government may consider public consultation with, and reporting to their local communities—as part of the regular corporate reporting by local governments on a wide range of relevant issue.

3.3 Off-site Solutions informed by the Living Waterways or other Frameworks

The Living Waterways Framework 2.0 (Framework) developed by Healthy Land and Water may inform local governments, industry and consultants when considering the type of off-site solution that may be relevant to local waterways in public open spaces. Note: this Framework is included as an example of the type of off-site solutions that may be considered by a local government. Adoption is voluntary and other planning frameworks may be more relevant to the type of off-site solution being considered by a local government, industry or consultant. The Framework incorporates community liveability benefits and provides flexibility within a quantitative framework that a local government may consider as an Off-site Solution in compliance with the SPP stormwater management design objectives.-see 3.3.1 below. The Framework recognises and credits the multiple benefits associated with avoidance techniques (including minimising impervious surfaces) that are not usually accounted for in MUSIC modelling. For details see the Healthy Land and Water website-- www.hlw.org.au.

A summary of the Living Waterways Framework 2.0 follows.

Well-designed urban green infrastructure provides multiple benefits of protecting and enhancing natural water systems, while also building liveable cities and towns and resilient water supplies. A known success factor for achieving these outcomes is a collaborative design approach, where planners, landscape architects, engineers and other disciplines contribute equally to the process. Living Waterways is a framework and scoring system that incentivises collaboration and integrated planning and design of urban water systems. Designs are developed and assessed against simple and measurable targets that provide flexibility to consider innovative and synergistic solutions that not only respond to site-specific conditions but also broader community expectations. Getting the design right means that costs can be minimised at all stages of development. Living Waterways also provides assessment authorities with the opportunity to set different minimum standards for development projects that align with the diverse values of their communities. Standards should be set at a level which finds an appropriate balance between achieving the desired stormwater quality outcomes off-site that are affordable to local governments and their communities, as well as the development industry by ensuring the off-site solutions do not require a financial contribution by a development greater than the cost would have been of providing an on-site solution.

3.3.1 Quantitative Assessment using the Living Waterways Framework 2.0 Design proposals address a range of outcomes within the following elements:

Living Water

Living Environment

Living Communities

Living Local Economies.

As a quantitative example for planning consideration, off-site solutions design elements address run-off pollution, waterway health, community well-being and economic benefit from waterways.

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In the Living Waterways Framework 2.0 context, achieving at least the minimum quantitative score related to the key design elements achieves a high proportion of the stormwater quality requirements, in addition to significant and quantifiable contributions to waterway health, place-making and community well-being as shown in Table 1. Such a design score outcome may be considered by a local government to be equivalent to complying with the SPP stormwater management design objectives (at Appendix 2 Table B). However, other planning and design approaches may equally address or improve the consideration of key matters related to public open space planning; including stormwater and waterway health matters within innovative place design concepts; approaches that are equivalent to complying with the SPP stormwater management design objectives (at Appendix 2 Table B.) For example refer to the approaches by Ipswich City Council and Mackay Regional Council outlined in the Case Studies at section 7.

Element WATERWAY CONDITION ASSESSMENT Determined by

Living Water

Stormwater Quality, Erosion and sediment control, Natural hydrology maintained, Stormwater source management

RUN-OFF POLLUTION IS MINIMISED

Achieve at least 80% of the stormwater management design objectives, maintain natural hydrology, adopt best practice erosion and sediment control, and design to ensure impervious surfaces minimised and disconnected.

Local government

Living Environment

PROTECT AND RESTORE WATERWAY HEALTH—

PRESERVATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF WATERWAYS AND NATURAL AREAS

Achieve outcomes that contribute to waterway health—including protecting riparian and aquatic habitat and sustainable landscaped areas.

Local government

Living Community

Living local Economies

ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE/WELL-BEING

Create versatile and attractive places that enable, safe, healthy, inclusive and resilient communities.

PROVIDE AFFORDABLE, ENDURING SOLUTIONS THAT ARE VIABLE TO BUILD, USE AND MAINTAIN

Local government

Table 1. Key elements to be addressed under the Living Waterways Framework 2.0

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Figure 2. Living Waterways Framework—Off-site Solution example

Photo courtesy Healthy Land & Water

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4. Local government plans and planning scheme policies Local governments have incorporated policies for off-site solutions into planning schemes e.g. local stormwater management plans under planning schemes and planning scheme policies or council policy re voluntary off-site solutions in accordance with the State Planning Policy. All such local government policy/planning instruments that state the requirements for compliance with SPPState Interest Water Quality July 2017 policy 5(b) are acceptable in managing the implementation of off-site solutions within their local government area.

For example, if off-site solutions to be adopted by a local government should are given effect through the planning scheme it should include code provisions that allow development to achieve post construction SPP stormwater management design objectives off-site, subject to conditions, such as development being located in an area that council supports off-site solutions. The planning scheme provisions should link to a planning scheme policy (PSP) as the document containing the policy elements to achieve the code in order for the PSP to be considered in assessment.

Local government policy/planning instruments must address elements to achieve SPP policy 5(b) compliance and should address:

the planning matters stated in section 3 above, including forward assessment of the availability of offsite delivery sites, and

criteria stating where off-site solutions will be considered, consistent with the local government total water cycle management planning or local catchment planning or stormwater quality infrastructure planning, and

the metric (in-lieu financial calculator and contribution amounts) that define the basis of developer contributions to reflect the transfer of responsibility from developer to a local government, to give effect to the Off-site Solution; based on costing off-site implementation, through in-lieu fees that reflect:

o cost recovery to achieve compliance consistent with the on-site solution it replaces—in accordance with SPP policy element 5(b), and

supporting technical information, and

best practice governance matters that nay include— for example:

regular reporting of in-lieu fees for off-site solutions, and

the use of In-lieu fees should only be for the purpose of addressing SPP State Interest Water Quality Policy 5 (b)—if the regulatory responsibility transfers from a developer to a Local government. In-lieu fees should not be allocated to general revenue and should not be applied where the forecast supply of off-site solutions exceeds that available within the local government area, and

Off-site Solutions proposals should be supported by an implementation plan which addresses all relevant matters; including for example planning, compliance demonstration, scheduling and timing for constructing off-site solution relative to receiving in-lieu fees, monitoring and evaluation, and the management of constructed assets, and

monitoring, evaluation and annual reporting.

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5. Developer adoption of off-site solutions As approved by a local government, developer adoption of off-site solutions should be in

accordance with this guidance document and in accordance with a local government planning

scheme policy or Council policy.

6. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting Implemented off-site solutions should be monitored and evaluated to demonstrate compliance as required by the local government development approval conditions in accordance with the Planning Act 2016. The results of monitoring and evaluation will inform future management. To ensure transparency, annual reporting to council and the community could consider summarising:

location, size, type of development and–in-lieu fees collected to implement off-site solutions,

location and type of off-site solutions delivered,

assessments to determine if the scheme has met council's strategic intent, and

any additional benefits achieved as part of the implementation of off-site solutions.

.

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7. Case studies

Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd The Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd is undertaking a pilot project to offset impacts to stormwater from low impact development activities on the Port site. The project involves remediating degraded creek banks in the catchments upstream of the Brisbane River, to reduce sediments and nutrients entering Laidley Creek and making their way down to the Port and Moreton Bay. The first stage of the pilot project was completed in June 2016 and involved:

stabilising a 750 metre section of badly eroded creek bank at Laidley Creek (100km upstream);

installing two cross stream bed erosion control structures including an additional 200m of bank

stabilisation; and

re-planting more than 4,000 native trees and grasses.

The pilot project is preventing 4 800 tonnes per year of sediment (and contained nutrients) entering Laidley Creek. Over time and as the vegetation matures the bank’s resilience to erosion will also continue to increase. The project has resulted in other benefits including reduced soil erosion, improved flora and fauna habitats, reducing weeds and providing flood mitigation for adjacent horticultural lands. The results of this pilot will be used to inform and improve off-site stormwater solutions.

Figure 3. Top: site before works; Bottom: bank contouring;

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Figure 4: Top: Mulgowie Off-site Stormwater Treatment Pilot on Laidley Creek clearly showing the result of earthworks to rehabilitate Bottom: The site immediately prior to the March 2017 flood showing high vegetation cover on rehabilitated bank. The work demonstrated a high degree of resilience to the Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie Notes 1. A link to a video summarising the Laidley Creek off-site works is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it1Y7pbCUlQ&feature=youtu.be 2 Compliance information: 2.1 On-site treatment for the initial PBPL development included:

Large trapezoidal drain (over 2 metres deep at points), geo-fabric lining, use of existing

treatments and vegetation planting – 4 km

Humeceptors (sediment and litter) and spill capture devices

Grass swale only (39%)

Grass swale & existing ponds (27%),

Grass swale & existing grass basin (22%),

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Extended existing tidal drain only (12%),

Litter baskets (100%) and spill capture devices

2.2 Off-site treatment –Laidley Creek streambank stabilisation

Stage 1: Determination of sediment erosion avoided through restoration (Alluvium Consulting using hydraulic and bank erosion modelling)

Sediment erosion avoided = 4,800 tonne/year (including contained nutrients); and

Stage 2: Determination of benefit of sediment erosion avoided in Laidley Creek at Mt Cosby Water Treatment Plant and at the Port (WBM BMT Source and Receiving Water Quality Modelling) -

Enhancement in receiving water quality equivalent to a sediment reduction of 105 tonne/year at Mt Cosby Water Treatment Plant, which over a six month period translates into -

i. 25 tonne reduction in sediments retained in the Estuary, ii. 7 tonne reduction in sediments retained in the Port Dredge Zone, and iii. 70 tonne reduction in sediments entering inner Moreton Bay.

This equates to a modelled 77 tonne/year (including contained nutrients) enhancement in water quality in the receiving water quality at the Port (compared with MUSIC modelling of unmitigated sediment loss from the Port Development Lands of 28 tonnes/yr.

3. General information--the impact of sediments on Moreton Bay is depicted in the imagery at 3 May 2015. Port of Brisbane is shown in the foreground

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Mackay Regional Council MRC have established a voluntary mechanism for stormwater quality management (the mechanism). The previous, on-site stormwater quality management approach to achieve water quality targets was proving to be unfeasible and prompted Council to look at an alternative. The mechanism has been developed to improve the efficiencies of a development's stormwater management requirements through cost effective solutions. The mechanism is viewed as a locally appropriate and innovative approach that reflects the objectives of the State Planning Policy. Mackay Regional Council (MRC) endorsed the 'Voluntary Mechanism for Stormwater Quality Management' policy in August 2014. Key drivers for the policy were poor design, construction, establishment and maintenance of on-site WSUD treatment devices, and changes in State policy regarding mandatory rainwater tanks. The policy gives developers the option to make a payment to MRC in lieu of providing on-site stormwater quality treatment. Payments made to MRC fund the delivery of regional stormwater quality and waterway improvement projects including rehabilitating waterways, constructing regional wetlands and water quality monitoring. The three scenarios available to development range from off-site stormwater treatment not being an option – due to high social or ecosystem values of the receiving waterways – to all stormwater being able to be treated off-site. Industrial and commercial developments must still treat litter and coarse sediment on-site. Waterway condition mapping undertaken by MRC identifies where off-site options can be considered. MRC has identified five regional pilot projects which developer stormwater contributions will fund and are in the process of developing these projects, including one at Little McCready's Creek.

Little McCreadys Creek Little McCreadys Creek at Rural View has been chosen as a site suitable for developing and showcasing best practice methods for improving stormwater quality, rehabilitating waterways, enhancing aquatic habitat, improving ecological corridors and improving visual amenity and community benefit. Little McCreadys Creek and the adjoining open space has been substantially altered, but has retained many environmental values including native fauna, fish, frogs and native vegetation. A Catchment Management Plan has been developed for McCreadys Creek which identifies priorities for improving water quality through stormwater management measures and an ongoing process of maintaining and improving riparian vegetation. Design planning for the creek identifies stormwater and water quality improvement treatments such as rock pools and bed and bank controls, fish passage ways, benched wetlands and revegetation. Contributions from MRC’s voluntary stormwater program go towards funding this project.

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Figure 5. Site location (above) and finished works (right).

Ipswich City Council Ipswich City Council (ICC) has developed an Implementation guideline (no. 24) that guides development on addressing stormwater management requirements of the planning scheme. The Implementation Guideline provides a standard approach for development implementing the relevant stormwater management aspects of the Ipswich Planning Scheme. The Implementation Guideline includes an option for voluntary offset payments in lieu of providing on-site stormwater treatment for nutrients. On-site stormwater treatment is still required for all other pollutants in stormwater as well as hydrological requirements. A map identifies areas which are eligible and potentially eligible for applying off-site solutions. To inform the Implementation Guideline No 24 Council developed a Stormwater Quality Offsets Implementation Plan Ipswich City Council is delivering off-site solutions projects including:

Jim Donald Parklands stormwater harvesting project

Small Creek redevelopment that involved direct community engagement through

“Design your Creek Week”. More information is available at

:www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/smallcreek

Note Ipswich City Council Implementation Guideline is available at:

Ipswich Planning Scheme Implementation Guideline No. 24 https://www.ipswichplanning.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/2041/ips_implementation_guide_24.pdf Note 3.2 under the Guideline states:

(1) Voluntary payment in lieu of on-site provision of stormwater quality treatment devices are intended to provide cost savings for development, including forgoing construction costs, reduced impact on the development footprint and reduced costs for on-going maintenance.

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(2) Where a voluntary payment is elected to be made, developments must achieve the following outcomes on-site in accordance with this guideline and relevant legislation and other statutory guidance:

a) stormwater quantity management requirements; (b) construction phase pollutants management and best practice erosion and sediment control; (c) management of gross pollutants; and (d) other stormwater quality requirements (e.g. hydrocarbons, metals, pathogens) as required by the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

Disclaimer The above examples demonstrate the outcomes that can be achieved through off-site solutions. The examples do not represent model approaches for embedding off-site solutions into local government policy/planning instruments as expressed by this implementation guidance.

8. Definitions Environmental values means the environmental values for a body of water stated under Schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection Policy (Water) 2009. Queensland waters means the waters that are within the limits of the State, including coastal/marine waters to 3 nautical miles from the coastline. SPP Stormwater management design objectives means the post construction phase stormwater management design objectives, for a climatic region, as stated in the State Planning Policy State Interest Water Quality 2017 Appendix 2. Water Quality Objectives means the water quality objectives for a body of water stated under Schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection Policy (Water) 2009.