A Balcatta urban drain to be transformed into vibrant living stream

• 1.5 million election commitment to improve drainage in Balcatta and Stirling underway

• Project will improve water quality downstream, including the lakes in both the Princeton and Roselea estates in Stirling

The McGowan Government is progressing an election commitment to improve drainage in Balcatta and Stirling by transforming a tired urban drain into a vibrant living stream, to the benefit of lakes downstream.

The Water Corporation and the City of Stirling are working together to improve the drainage system in the Roselea Estate, which is expected to reduce damage to road surfaces and help improve water quality.

The agency and council will work together to transform the drain into a living stream, to provide the community with a more attractive and environmentally valuable asset.

The Water Corporation will also carry out a hydrological study, including ground and surface water monitoring, to determine a strategy to improve water quality in the drainage system and the downstream Roselea Estate lake and the Princeton Estate lake system. 

The alignment of a drain, which runs along Veronica Parkway, Honeymyrtle Turn and Grindleford Drive, will be modified to reduce impacts on nearby roads, which have experienced surface cracking over several years.

A hydrological study of the drainage system will begin in July. The results from this study will be used to plan the development of the drain into a living stream in 2019, subject to land availability.

The Water Corporation and City of Stirling are also working on a new management plan for the lake system that will better outline their responsibilities in managing the lake system in the Princeton and Roselea estates.

Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:

"This project is a great example of how we can use nature to help us manage water quality in our urban waterways.

"Living streams play an important role in cleaning up stormwater as it moves through the city landscape and provides new ways of improving the amenity of our public open spaces.

"Water quality within the drainage system is a shared responsibility and we all have a role to play.

"Communities can help improve water quality by ensuring they do not use excessive fertiliser on gardens and ensuring rubbish is placed in bins, particularly at public parks, to keep our drains and waterways free of litter."

Comments attributed to Balcatta MLA David Michael:

"As a local councillor for over a decade, I've seen a lot of resident frustration over the regular issues that occur in the Roselea and Princeton lake system.

"This project will do so much to reduce the severity of, and occurrences of some of these issues like algae and weed growth, road subsidence and rubbish accumulation.

"I congratulate Minister Dave Kelly, Water Corporation and City of Stirling on the collaborative approach to resolving some of the design issues of the lake system, and for their work on a new management plan."