The redevelopment of the under-utilised and central Arden-Macaulay precinct in Melbourne aims to transform the precinct into one of the best examples of urban regeneration internationally. Addressing drainage and flooding is crucial to the long-term viability of the development precinct, thus the City of Melbourne seeks innovative approaches to drainage and flood management that incorporates liveability and useable spaces.
Melbourne’s climate solutions were focused on flood management and liveability. The CSP process was valuable and unique to the City due to early, pre-tender engagement with businesses, academic institutions and other key stakeholders. Melbourne were very happy with the outcomes and the ability of solution providers to co-create solutions together, as well as with the city.
A number of design solutions that came from the CSP activity were taken forward by the city. The levee design solution has helped to inform a strategic opportunity plan for the creek and large scale flood storage. Having both attended the CSP workshop, the City of Melbourne developed a commercial partnership with Rambøll, resulting in a high-level cloudburst masterplan focussed on innovative flood management solutions for the Arden-Macaulay precinct. Rambøll won the $65,000 tender for this work as it was released only to the solution providers who attended the CSP workshop, thereby allowing Rambøll to apply with a competitive bid. Based on this work, the City are now looking to develop and fund a next stage Arden Climate Response plan with a range of stakeholders. This will be integrated into future city planning: the Arden Vision.
The CSP has helped to change attitudes towards climate change adaptation in Melbourne; water is now being celebrated as a public aspect rather than being completely drained from the precinct.
