The new age of water sensitive urban design will be showcased in the Sustainable Water Challenge commencing on Wednesday 17th August at the Bankstown Town Hall. The Challenge is sponsored by the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust, Stormwater Industry Association and Australian Water Association.

Practitioners from councils and universities in New South Wales and interstate will present innovative solutions at a seminar and on a field trip to project sites around Sydney.

In the Challenge, awards have been given to councils for planning/policy, landscaping, infill, greenfields, commercial and industrial, community engagement and retrofit projects. Winners will receive a certificate as well as the opportunity to present their project at the industry seminar.

Both regional and metropolitan councils have won Awards. The winners are:

Lismore City Council Effluent reuse at East Lismore Waste Water Treatment Works
Kogarah Rainwater Tanks in Schools Project
Hornsby Development and Embellishment of Brickpit Park at Thornleigh
Hornsby De-channelisation and Riparian Re-instatement at Epping
Queanbeyan Waterwise Program, to reduce water usage in Queanbeyan
Newcastle Eco-star, a program to reduce water and energy usage in council facilities

Stephen Lees, the Executive Officer of the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust, said:

"A sustainable future depends on how smart we are with the way we use water resources. The winners of the Sustainable Water Challenge show how water sensitive urban design principles can be incorporated into building projects in an urban environment."

Some of the winners at this years Sustainable Water Challenge