Local government authorities in NSW require new developments above a specific scale to take measures to reduce stormwater pollutant runoff during rainfall events. While each Council across NSW has different requirements, the go-to tool for Councils to assess the suitability of your stormwater management plan is the MUSIC Model.
What is MUSIC for stormwater?
MUSIC (Model for Urban Stormwater Improvement Conceptualisation) is the industry standard tool for designing and sizing stormwater quality improvement devices and demonstrating the effectiveness of a stormwater quality improvement treatment.
MUSIC modelling is a crucial step to ensure that a development’s stormwater management plan is both environmentally sound and compliant with local planning regulations.
To achieve development approval, a proposal must demonstrate that stormwater quality treatment measures will be included and that these measures will achieve required pollutant reduction targets.
Why does your development need MUSIC modelling?
- Regulatory requirements
Local councils want to see proof that new developments will keep stormwater clean, and MUSIC is the go-to way to show you meet their criteria. - Sustainable design
Development usually means more hard surfaces and more dirty water run-off into the environment. MUSIC helps plan better ways to clean this water before it leaves your site. - Guide design decisions
MUSIC lets you test different options for cleaning up stormwater, helping you pick the best mix of solutions for your location and budget. - Streamlined approvals
Using MUSIC can make it easier and quicker to get council approval, since it creates reports that show your design meets local requirements.
How can GeoLINK help?
GeoLINK’s engineering team has more than 30 years of experience in stormwater design, including optimising stormwater quality improvement strategies. Our engineers can incorporate stormwater quality improvement modelling using MUSIC into a broader development design or they can apply this capability as a stand-alone service to designs by others.
GeoLINK has used our broad skillset and range of design tools, including MUSIC, to develop compliant, best practise and cost-effective stormwater treatment measures for residential and industrial development, infrastructure projects and agricultural facilities. For example, Ballina Shire Council requires a reduction in total suspended solids, gross pollutants and nutrients (total phosphorus and total nitrogen) to be achieved for new residential and industrial developments. Using MUSIC, we’ve helped clients ensure their submissions address and meet these criteria.
Typical designs have included a combination of rainwater harvesting, incorporation of gross pollutant traps, proprietary devices, combination stormwater detention/ bioretention basins and constructed wetlands.
Multi-disciplinary solutions
Our MUSIC modelling and stormwater quality improvement design capability perfectly complements our related services in civil design, erosion and sediment control and integrated water management. By engaging a single consultancy, like GeoLINK, for multiple facets of a project, developers benefit from streamlined communication and cohesive planning. When stormwater specialists have a comprehensive understanding of the overall project goals, the resulting stormwater outcomes can be significantly enhanced.
Get in touch with one of our Environmental Engineers to chat about your project.
