Sydney rain gardens clean up

Rain gardens are natural, underground stormwater treatment systems, designed to absorb pollutants that would otherwise end up in the Cooks River or Sydney Harbour.

They’re also aesthetically pleasing and can be incorporated into existing footpaths and other open space to collect water run-off which is then filtered and treated before being stored for reuse.

A study commissioned by the City of Sydney has identified 21,000sq m of space for new rain gardens, and their construction will coincide with street works and footpath upgrades to minimise costs and disruption.

Rain gardens are becoming an increasingly common part of urban design and development. In August last year work started on a $3 million rain garden at Parklea to collect and treat water at a major new housing project.

The gardens have also become increasingly common in private homes over the past 10 years.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the project will allow the treatment and harvesting of stormwater that has been carrying pollutants into our waterways.

“Rain gardens are difficult to build in highly urbanised areas, but the City of Sydney is proving it can be done,” Cr Moore said.

“Our rain gardens will help provide a cleaner environment, contribute to local sustainability, and build a stronger sense of community.” Rain gardens have recently been built in Buckland St, Meagher St and Myrtle St, Chippendale and others are operating successfully in Pirrama Park at Pyrmont, along the Glebe foreshore and at Joynton Ave in Zetland.

Redfern, Alexandria, Darlinghurst, Woolloomooloo and Newtown are among suburbs identified for new rain gardens as part of citywide footpath improvements.

The rain gardens are one of many water-saving and water-reuse projects being undertaken across the Sydney’s parks, ovals and community centres, to replace mains water use with alternative sources and reduce discharge to the ocean.

“The city’s efforts to reuse water and drought-proof our parks will see hundreds of millions of litres of water saved each year, positioning us as an environmental leader and building on current initiatives to plant more trees and reduce waste going to land fill,” Cr Moore said.

Source: http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/news/story/sydney-rain-gardens-clean-up/