community

Why is community participation important for sustainable urban water management?
In the past only technical experts have been involved in planning related to urban water management. Community involvement has often been absent, minimal or non-collaborative in its approach. Recent research has shown that increased community involvement is more likely to result in water management solutions that reflect real situations and that represent local ideas, knowledge and values. For these reasons OurRiver is working in partnership with local residents, businesses and other stakeholders throughout the planning process for the six OurRiver subcatchments (see more details below).

How will the community be involved in the OurRiver project?

Community Water Survey
By the end of the project OurRiver will have sent a water survey to every resident and business within the six study subcatchments (Ashbury, Eastern Channel East, Munni St, Rookwood Road, Strathfield South and Upper Wolli Creek). The survey looks at knowledge, values and attitudes related to water and the environment as well as current water use and conservation measures (for survey results so far see Community Water Survey Results section below).

Community Vision Sessions
In October 2008 residents from Ashbury and Strathfield South Subcatchments attended vision sessions to develop a future vision for sustainable water management in their area. Vision sessions for the EC East, Munni Street, Rookwood Road and Upper Wolli Creek subcatchments will be completed by the end May 2009 – check the home page for upcoming dates.

Community Planning Forums
The planning forum enables attendees to collaboratively develop specific goals and actions to assist in achieving the community vision. Following the planning forum the community vision, goals and actions will be compiled into a subcatchment management plan. Planning forums have already been completed in Ashbury and Strathfield South Subcatchments. Forums will be held in the remaining subcatchments in May 2009.
Following the planning forums residents and other members of the community will be consulted and kept up to date regarding the implementation of the subcatchment management plans including setting priorities for action.

Community Water Survey Results
Thank you to the 2,465 residents that responded to the community water survey undertaken last year in the Ashbury, Eastern Channel East, Munni Street, Rookwood Road, Strathfield South and Upper Wolli Creek Subcatchments.
The survey contained questions under four themes; knowledge, attitudes, current water use and receptivity to water reuse. The results showed that the majority of respondents had an understanding of urban water systems with 62% aware that rainwater in street drains goes to the nearest waterway. However, the vast majority of respondents (80%) underestimated the average amount of water used each day by households in their area. The survey showed a high receptivity to the reuse of water with 79-94% of respondents indicating they would consider using recycled rainwater for toilet flushing, washing the car and watering the garden, and 66-89% indicating that they would consider using greywater for the same purposes.
The survey also showed that the majority of respondents consider education, rather than law enforcement, as the key to improving our waterways and believe that their daily activities have an impact on the Cooks River.
These results will be used to inform future water planning. Results for individual subcatchments and a summary report on the combined data for all six subcatchments can be viewed using the links below.

Ashbury

Eastern Channel East

Munni St

Rookwood Road

Strathfield South

Upper Wolli Creek

All Subcatchments Summary Report