Landscaping to Reduce Stormwater Damage We are learning better ways to manage the stormwater run-off from built areas by exploring strategies from other cultures and by observing existing natural systems. Landscaping to reduce stormwater runoff and damage from extreme wet weather events can include a combination of hard and soft Read more…
Stormwater Stormwater refers to the water resulting from rain draining into the stormwater system from roofs, roads, footpaths and other surfaces. Stormwater can include sewage from sewage overflows. By covering water absorbent soil with hard surfaces (houses, roads, footpaths), we’ve increased the amount of stormwater entering our bushland and streams. Read more…
Blackwater Reuse During long droughts there is an ongoing water source available in our sewer systems. At the Planetary Health Centre we are exploring ways we can emulate natural systems and reuse blackwater to minimise the impact of drought and fire. Managing waste water is important for the health and safety Read more…
Bushfire Sprinklers We have been working with Dr Alan Green from the Sustainable Building Research Centre at the University of Wollongong to create resources sharing the latest research on bushfire sprinkler systems. This includes building a bushfire sprinkler demonstration wall to compare different sprinklers (photo and video below). The wall of sprinklers compares performance Read more…
Community Water At the Planetary Health Centre we’re exploring options for Community Water Management to reduce the risk of future extreme weather events becoming disasters. In 2023, Blue Mountains City Council built an in-ground concrete community firefighting tank at Mount Tomah to ensure a Static Water Supply for the RFS Read more…
Hydrated Landscapes The catastrophic fires of 2019 came after many years of drought. Keeping soil hydrated may reduce the risk of fire, and maintaining canopy can assist in reducing evaporation. Impact sprinklers and drip irrigation can assist in keeping gardens hydrated. Read our sections on Stormwater and Landscaping to learn more about the important role of Read more…
Blackwater Reuse During long droughts there is an ongoing water source available in our sewer systems. At the Planetary Health Centre we are exploring ways we can emulate natural systems and reuse blackwater to minimise the impact of drought and fire. Managing waste water is important for the health and Read more…