About the project

A stormwater harvesting system designed into the public landscape

Opened in 2002, Birrarung Marr park sits on the Yarra River’s north bank next to Federation Square.

Set over eight hectares, it draws thousands of visitors to the events and festivals hosted there. What most visitors don’t know is that concealed under the renewed landscape is one of Melbourne’s largest stormwater harvesting systems – an underground tank equal to the size of an Olympic swimming pool.

Commencing in early 2013, the City of Melbourne commissioned a stormwater harvesting system based on Biofilta’s twin tank and recirculating bioretention design. The result is a triumph in design and a sublime example of integrating stormwater management into the fabric of an urban landscape.

This System is big on output and small on footprint. Capturing stormwater from 37 hectares of Melbourne’s CBD and railway runoff, it provides over 30 megalitres of fit for purpose irrigation water per annum for the Birrarung Marr landscape.

Benefits

• Water catchment and treatment
• Enhances habitat
• Beautification
• Fosters community connections

For more information on this and other City of Melbourne urban water projects visit: www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/urbanwater