A series of bio-filtration beds to be installed on the Hope Street side of hte bathurst Adventure Playground are designed to improve the quality of stormwater run off coming from Hope and Howick streets.
A SERIES of bio-filtration beds adjacent to the Adventure Playground in Victoria Park is on the agenda for Bathurst Regional Council as it heads into 2013.
The initiative is part of the drive to improve the aesthetics of the facility as well as improving the quality of stormwater runoff that finds its way back into the Macquarie River.
Council has received a $20,000 grant from the Central West Catchment Management Authority and Salinity and Water Quality Alliance (CMA) to undertake this Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) project.
A report to council by city engineer Doug Patterson says the funds for the project were secured in December 2012.
“The money was secured from the CMA to complete stage one of a proposed two-stage project to be undertaken along the Hope Street side of the Bathurst Adventure Playground,” the report states.
“Stage one would centre on the design and implementation of up to six individual bio-filtration beds which, at this stage, would be located between the existing mature street trees at the top end of Hope Street.
“The location of these bio-filtration beds would visually complement the existing street tree planting, not compromise the existing root structures of these established trees, and allow for access into the playground.”
Mr Patterson notes a key objective of the project is to enhance the park’s amenity.
“The purpose of the bio-filtration garden beds is to improve the quality of stormwater run off coming from Hope and Howick streets,” the report states.
“As significant amounts of water move over the grassed areas of the Adventure Playground during rainfall events, primary filtration of any stormwater run-off in this area will improve the quality of those flows eventually entering the Macquarie River.
“The amenity of park users has been considered and the minimisation of the potential impact on access or parking is a key design consideration.
“Under stage two of the project, council is proposing to design and construct a fully functioning bio-retention swale at the lower end of Hope Street.”
Stage two will also incorporate the installation of a water collection tank connected to the bio-retention swale enabling filtered stormwater to be harvested and stored for use in toilet flushing in the public amenity block located at the lower end of Hope Street.
Stage one of the project has been started by staff within council’s Technical Services Section.