The Water by Design initiative team recently delivered two Brisbane-based workshops in Oxley and Windsor, just as the storms rolled in at each location! The interactive 2-hour workshop sessions were designed to equip residents with the skills and know-how to implement smart stormwater management practices at home to better prepare their property for the coming storm season.

Participants were taken through a set of activities to better understand how different landscaping choices and infrastructure affect how stormwater moves around their property and consider how their choices can impact their neighbours too.

By sketching their homes and nearby infrastructure, participants were able to identify common drainage issues, determine potential causes, and, with the help of the team, pinpoint opportunities for intervention to reduce the impact of stormwater runoff around their homes and neighbourhoods.

Hands-on, family-friendly, and packed with take-home tips, the events were very well received by the residents who attended. With the support of current and future partners, we hope to be able to continue to extend our reach in future and empower more local communities to get water sensitive and take collective action to tackle stormwater runoff at its source.

This workshop series was supported by Insurance Council Australia, delivered with the Flood Community of Practice.