Urbanisation results in changes to runoff behaviour which, if not addressed, inevitably degrade receiving waters. To date, most stormwater management has focussed on the streetscape and public open space. Given that much of the catchment imperviousness is located on private land, we developed and tested a novel economic instrument (a uniform price auction) for encouraging allotment-scale stormwater retention. We evaluated bids using an integrated environmental benefit index (EBI), based on the ability of the proposed works to reduce runoff frequency, pollutant loads and to reduce potable water demand. The uniform price auction resulted in 1.4 ha of impervious areas being effectively ‘disconnected’ from the stormwater system. The EBI provided an objective and transparent method of comparing bids, which varied in the type of works proposed (e.g. rainwater tank, rain-garden), the cost and the resulting environmental benefit. Whilst the pilot auction was a success, the public subsidy of works undertaken was around 85%, meaning that property owners a relatively small private benefit in the works. Future auction rounds will be revised to (i) test an EBI which is more focussed on the protection of streams (assessing changes to runoff frequency, baseflow volumes and water quality) and (ii) provide an auction process which is simpler to understand, and provides greater practical support for landholders who wish to undertake works.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Research Article|
July 01 2011
Restoration of stormwater retention capacity at the allotment-scale through a novel economic instrument
Tim D. Fletcher;
1Department of Civil Engineering and Centre for Water Sensitive Cities Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:
Chistopher J. Walsh;
Chistopher J. Walsh
2Department of Resource Management and Geography, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
Darren Bos;
Darren Bos
2Department of Resource Management and Geography, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
Veronika Nemes;
Veronika Nemes
3Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
Sharyn RossRakesh;
Sharyn RossRakesh
4Melbourne Water Corporation, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
Toby Prosser;
Toby Prosser
4Melbourne Water Corporation, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
Belinda Hatt;
Belinda Hatt
1Department of Civil Engineering and Centre for Water Sensitive Cities Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
Rhiannon Birch
Rhiannon Birch
2Department of Resource Management and Geography, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
Water Sci Technol (2011) 64 (2): 494–502.
Article history
Received:
July 01 2010
Accepted:
September 03 2010
Citation
Tim D. Fletcher, Chistopher J. Walsh, Darren Bos, Veronika Nemes, Sharyn RossRakesh, Toby Prosser, Belinda Hatt, Rhiannon Birch; Restoration of stormwater retention capacity at the allotment-scale through a novel economic instrument. Water Sci Technol 1 July 2011; 64 (2): 494–502. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2011.184
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
eBook
Pay-Per-View Access
$38.00