Mornington Peninsula Shire Council: Peninsula Avenue, Rye – Flood Mitigation Project

Mar 11, 2013 by     Comments Off    Posted under: Capital Works Projects Under $1M

Peninsula Avenue, Rye has been subject to flooding as long as anyone can remember. Stormwater would regularly block the road making access to businesses in the industrial estate ‘impossible’ at times.

The project was identified through the Shire’s award winning (IPWEA 2011 Asset Management Award) drainage strategy and given high priority for implementation.

The project includes redevelopment of a filtration basin, provision of sub-surface storage tank for irrigation of RJ Rowley Recreation Reserve and all associated infrastructure to facilitate flood mitigation of the road.

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

Climate change has raised the need to act expeditiously to plan to improve the performance of the Peninsula’s drainage infrastructure network and reduce the flooding of vulnerable areas.

Peninsula Avenue has been subject to flooding over many years with the existing stormwater system being connected to a drainage reserve located immediately behind Rattray and Walker timber yard. The reserve was designed to act as a large soak pit; however the presence of Limestone and a shallow ground water table, does not allow stormwater to effectively soak into the ground.

OBJECTIVES:

The following were the key objectives for this project:

  • Remove or minimise all flooding within private property
  • Remove or minimise all flooding within Peninsula Avenue road reserve
  • Reuse/recycle stormwater where possible
  • Low cost/Cost effective solution

OUTCOMES:

Development of the project scope throughout the design process enabled us to expand the potential outcomes for this project. The project began with enlarging the drainage reserve to act as a filtration/storage basin for the new pump station. A gravity main connects the basin to the pump station, which pumps water in a new rising main along Melbourne Rd to the new sub-surface storage tank in RJ Rowley Reserve with 350,000 litre capacity. If the tank is full, water is pumped to the existing drainage system at the intersection of Melbourne Rd and Dundas St that connects to Port Phillip Bay. Water in the tank is used for irrigation of RJ Rowley reserve during drier months and other purposes during wetter months, such as street sweeping. In addition we installed a Gross Pollutant Trap (GPT) on the gravity main immediately prior to the pump station.

INNOVATIVE / DISTINGUISHING FEATURES:

The project is innovative in that we put several different treatment devices in to maximise the potential to reuse/recycle the stormwater that enters the system. It begins with piping the water to an enlarged filtration/storage basin, where water can slowly infiltrate into the ground. The infiltration rate is reduced due to Limestone and a shallow ground water table. Once water fills the basin it back flows up the drainage pipe and over a weir wall where it flows to the GPT and enters the 40 litre per second pump station. The water is pumped to the sub-surface tank where it’s reused to irrigate the football/cricket ground. We also installed an up-stand so street sweepers, water cart’s etc can access the water. With all options exhausted, any surplus water is pumped to the existing drainage network that connects to the bay. During extended dry periods, water is pumped from an adjacent ground water bore into the sub-surface tank to cover all irrigation requirements. We also have plans install a ground water recharge well in the future.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT

The main benefit to the community is the removal of consistent flooding of Peninsula Avenue, which blocked access to businesses regularly. Recent rains have showed the project working very well; with no reports of water over the road since its inception.

An additional benefit of the new storage tank and connection to the drainage system removes the requirement to purchase potable water for irrigation of the recreation reserve, thus making savings for the council and community.

Stormwater is filtered and cleansed prior to entering the environment, through the filtration basin, irrigation of the oval before entering Port Phillip Bay. These features, combined with the proposal for a ground water recharge well, contribute to protecting the environment from stormwater pollution.

SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTION MADE BY THE TEAM

The project has been developed since 2007, with close consultation of infrastructure staff and the design consultant; with everyone taking an open view to maximise the potential benefits available; including protecting the environment, reuse/recycling of the stormwater and reducing the flood risks in Peninsula Avenue.

Ongoing dedication of council officers throughout the life of the project has enabled an outstanding project to be delivered, providing many benefits to the community.

 

 

 

 

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