Integrated water management

Vision

Working together to create a water sensitive Mornington Peninsula that is liveable, resilient and environmentally healthy for current and future generations.

The Mornington Peninsula is renowned for its unique natural environment, with more than 190 kilometres of coastline, extensive Green Wedge landscapes, valued waterways and internationally recognised wetlands.

Managing water wisely is essential to protecting these places and supporting a healthy, thriving community. As our climate changes and the Peninsula continues to grow, we face increasing challenges including water security, stormwater pollution, flooding, drought, and the health of our natural environment.

Integrated Water Management (IWM) is a collaborative approach to planning and managing all parts of the water cycle, including:

• Drinking water
• Stormwater
• Wastewater
• Recycled water
• Groundwater
• Waterways and wetlands

Rather than managing these areas separately, Integrated Water Management brings together Council, water authorities, government agencies, Traditional Owners, land managers and the community to find smarter, more sustainable solutions.

Through Integrated Water Management, the Shire aims to:

• Improve water security and resilience
• Protect and enhance waterways, wetlands and coastal environments
• Reduce stormwater pollution entering Port Phillip and Western Port
• Support climate change adaptation
• Increase opportunities to use alternative water sources
• Improve public open spaces and neighbourhood amenity
• Strengthen community wellbeing and environmental health

The Mornington Peninsula Shire Integrated Water Management Plan 2021 provides a long-term framework for addressing current and future water challenges across the Peninsula.

The Plan was developed in partnership with key stakeholders, including the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Melbourne Water, South East Water, Southern Rural Water and the community.

By taking an integrated approach to water planning and management, we can help ensure the Mornington Peninsula remains healthy, resilient and sustainable for future generations.

To learn more about Integrated Water Management in Victoria, watch the video below or visit DEECA’s IWM website - Integrated Water Management

“Watch – Integrated Water Management”

Water Sensitive Urban Design

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is an approach to managing stormwater that works with nature to create healthier waterways, greener neighbourhoods and more resilient communities.

When rain falls on roofs, roads, driveways and other hard surfaces, it can carry litter, sediment, nutrients and other pollutants into local waterways and eventually into Port Phillip and Western Port. WSUD helps slow, capture, treat and reuse stormwater before it reaches the environment.

By integrating water management into the design of streets, parks, public spaces and developments, WSUD helps protect the Peninsula's natural environment while improving the liveability of our communities.

Examples of WSUD Features

WSUD can be incorporated into developments, streetscapes, parks and public spaces through features such as:

• Rainwater tanks
• Rain gardens
• Vegetated swales
• Infiltration systems
• Sediment basins
• Constructed wetlands
• Retention and detention ponds
• Tree pits and passive irrigation systems
• Vegetated filter strips and buffer zones

Want to Contribute? Build a Rain Garden at Home

Rain gardens are a simple and effective way to capture and treat stormwater from around your home while supporting local biodiversity.

For information on designing and building a rain garden, visit Melbourne Water's Rain Garden website.

Stormwater Quality In-Lieu Contribution Scheme

Improving and protecting water quality is a key objective of the Shire's Integrated Water Management approach.

The Mornington Peninsula Shire Stormwater Quality In-Lieu Contribution Scheme provides an opportunity to invest in larger-scale Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) projects that improve stormwater quality and deliver broader environmental benefits across the Peninsula.

The scheme allows eligible developments to make a financial contribution towards Council-delivered stormwater treatment projects where stormwater quality requirements cannot be fully achieved on-site. Funds collected through the scheme are reinvested into projects that help improve water quality, protect waterways and bays, and support a more water sensitive Mornington Peninsula.

The scheme supports the Shire's commitment to:

• Protecting and enhancing waterways, wetlands and coastal environments
• Reducing stormwater pollution entering Port Phillip and Western Port
• Delivering Water Sensitive Urban Design outcomes at a broader catchment scale
• Supporting integrated and sustainable water management
• Improving the resilience and health of local ecosystems
• Creating long-term environmental benefits for the community

By delivering strategically located stormwater treatment assets, the scheme enables Council to achieve water quality outcomes that complement on-site treatment measures and contribute to the health of the Peninsula's natural environment.

Current and Future Projects

Stormwater Quality In-Lieu Contribution Scheme funds are being used to plan and deliver priority stormwater treatment projects across the Mornington Peninsula.

Projects in the pipeline as concept designs moving into detail design as of 2026:

• Olympic Park Bioretention
• Murrowong Reserve Bioretention
• Dromana Parade Reserve Bioswale

Examples may include constructed wetlands, raingardens, bioretention systems, drainage upgrades with water quality treatment, and other Water Sensitive Urban Design projects that improve stormwater management and environmental outcomes.

As the Scheme matures, the Shire will investigate opportunities to enhance the visibility of our projects and outcomes on this or a separate website.

Feature Project: Rye Bio infiltration Basin

The Rye Coastal Wetland is an award-winning example of how Integrated Water Management and Water Sensitive Urban Design can be used to improve water quality while enhancing public spaces and the natural environment.

Located on the Rye foreshore, the project captures and treats stormwater before it enters Port Phillip Bay. As the largest coastal stormwater treatment asset on the Mornington Peninsula, it demonstrates how innovative, nature-based solutions can be successfully integrated into challenging coastal environments.

Designed to work with the surrounding landscape, the project carefully responds to local conditions including sand movement, coastal winds, high groundwater levels, tides and storm surges. The wetland uses natural filtration processes to improve stormwater quality while protecting the surrounding dune system and coastal environment.

The project has delivered a range of benefits for the community and environment, including:

• Improved stormwater quality entering Port Phillip Bay
• Enhanced biodiversity and habitat values
• More than 10,000 indigenous plants established across the site
• Improved visual amenity and landscape character
• Better pedestrian access to the beach through a new boardwalk connection
• Opportunities for community education and environmental awareness
• Increased resilience of local coastal infrastructure and ecosystems

The Rye Coastal Wetland demonstrates how strategically planned stormwater infrastructure can deliver multiple benefits beyond water treatment, supporting healthier waterways, stronger ecosystems and more liveable public spaces.

Mechelle Cheers (Rye Community Action Group) holding the Stormwater Victoria Award 2022 with Cr Race, Cr Bissinger and council officers Christopher Lyne and Brenda Lee.

The project received the Stormwater Victoria Infrastructure Excellence Award (2022) in recognition of its contribution to improving water quality, enhancing public amenity and demonstrating best practice integration of stormwater management and placemaking.

Delivering Future Outcomes

The Rye Coastal Wetland is an example of the type of Water Sensitive Urban Design project supported through the Shire's broader Integrated Water Management program. Future projects will continue to focus on improving water quality, protecting our bays and waterways, enhancing biodiversity and creating more resilient communities across the Mornington Peninsula.

Council is currently investigating and developing additional stormwater treatment and Water Sensitive Urban Design projects across the Peninsula via the delivery of the Stormwater Quality In-Lieu Contribution Scheme.