Sustainable water solutions for Albany’s parks and waterfront
At a glance
The irrigation of green spaces is vital for increasing the amenity of public places, but with a drying climate along the South Coast of Western Australia, the City of Albany has faced a persistent shortage of harvested water (from surface ponds) and an increased reliance on town scheme water (at a high cost).
We were able to find a cost-effective, sustainable water supply solution to meet the irrigation needs of Albany’s waterfront precinct while enhancing the amenity and aesthetics of the community’s green spaces for locals and visitors.
The challenge
The Albany Waterfront, comprising the WA Museum precinct, ANZAC Peace Park and Entertainment Centre precinct, Foundation Park, and Lawley Park are highly visible and valued parts of the City of Albany’s landscape. The aesthetics and amenity of these areas are important for residents and visitors alike.
However, with the increasing influence of a drying climate along the South Coast, there has been a persistent shortage of available surface water for irrigation in these areas in recent years. This has led to reduced amenities for some parks and, in some cases, an increased reliance on costly scheme water supplies.
The City of Albany looked to our team to help them find alternative, cost-effective and sustainable water supply options for irrigating green spaces along the Albany Waterfront.
Our response
Our team undertook a theoretical and actual water demand analysis to inform the seasonal irrigation water demands of the Albany Waterfront Precinct, which was divided into five separate areas. We then investigated alternative water supply options including groundwater, sewer mining, harbour seawater desalination, rainwater harvesting and stormwater harvesting.
Our water supply analysis included the applicability to the current project objectives and specific contamination risks to the source water with a final assessment summary based on complexity, cost, approvals and yield.
After a thorough review, we recommended intercepting stormwater infrastructure which, in addition to the harvesting of stormwater following rainfall events, also intercepts a baseflow of groundwater yielded from springs within the upper catchments of Mt Melville and Mt Clarence. This water previously flowed out to the harbour.
By capturing a continuous freshwater spring, supplemented by stormwater flows, we could offer a low-cost, sustainable solution that meets the irrigation needs of the ANZAC Peace Park precinct and the Lawley Park precinct, while also promoting sustainability by recycling a reliable and low-contamination water source. After 12 months of water quality testing, flow monitoring and stakeholder consultation, the water source was determined to be fresh and reliable.
Three separate irrigation schemes were proposed for the City and our team developed concept design for the agreed water supply and storage options to allow for high-level capital and operating cost estimates. The concepts developed included:
1. Albany Entertainment Centre, Marina, Museum, ANZAC Peace Park – to be supplied by interception of stormwater/baseflow at the base of York St (west).
2. Foundation Park – to be supplied by existing surface water harvesting sources by re-routing delivery to a tank at the park.
3. Lawley Park - to be supplied by interception of stormwater/baseflow at the base of York St (east).
We’re now using a water supply that would have otherwise gone straight to sea! This smart and sustainable solution means our beloved parks stay green and thriving while making the most of our natural resources.”
The impact
In 2023, the first part of the scheme recommendation was implemented for the highest priority area which was the ANZAC Peace Park precinct. The City of Albany commented that the system worked extremely well over the “extended” summer period in 2023-24. The City has also completed the connections to Foundation Park in time for the 2024-25 summer. They are also proceeding with the Lawley Park concept design put forward in our report, aiming for it to be operational by the summer of 2025-26.
This project has supported the City of Albany in finding alternative, cost-effective and sustainable water supply options for the irrigation of Albany’s green spaces. It means parks and waterfront areas remain green and thriving, even during periods of water scarcity without the need for water carting or supplying tanks with scheme water.
With the increasing influence of a drying climate along the South Coast, this project provides a resilient solution to the persistent shortage of harvested water for irrigation. By recycling a reliable and low-contamination water source, the City of Albany can conserve natural resources and reduce the environmental impact of their water usage.
Enhancing the amenity and aesthetics of Albany’s green spaces also has a positive impact on the economic vitality of the area, supporting tourism and local businesses while also improving public spaces for the local community and visitors, both now and into the future.