Wharf Street Basin – Western Australia’s first smart park

Introduction

The City of Canning has transformed a fenced off stormwater basin into a new community smart park.

The park’s new approach to stormwater management provides real-time information on water quality and educational opportunities.

Challenge

Stormwater basins in Canning capture surface water after rainfall. On its way to the stormwater basin, rainwater picks up contamination from grass clippings, oil and detergents from roads.

The polluted water then flows into major waterways like the Canning River. This reduces water quality impacting on biodiversity and local wildlife.

In addition, as Perth’s population grows there is a need to develop quality green space and maximise access to publicly held land that is traditionally inaccessible − like stormwater basins.

Solution

The City of Canning recognised an opportunity to make areas around stormwater basins more accessible. This allowed the council to also generate new public space and improve water quality and biodiversity.

The fenced-off Wharf Street stormwater basin was transformed into a recreational space with a new approach to stormwater management that utilises the role of biodiversity in increasing water quality. The park has been landscaped to enhance the natural environment and new bridges and boardwalks support public access.

Smart technologies support great outcomes in the park, including:

sensor technology to provide real-time environmental conditions such as water quality and quantity
interactive augmented reality education stations

Easily accessible real-time information is available to researchers, local government, and the community.

The data generated is used to track water quantity and quality. Healthier waterways can be maintained by using this data to manage water quality and algae production.

The project was developed with funding partners from the Australian Government’s Smart Cities and Suburbs Program, Water Corporation and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.