Understanding the Impact of Water Sensitive Urban Design Principle in Blacktown City Council and the City of Sydney

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) in improving urban water quality and environmental outcomes through two Australian case studies: the Sydney Park Water Re-use Project and the Angus Creek Stormwater Harvesting and Re-use Scheme. Using document analysis, geospatial analysis, and MUSIC X hydrological modelling, the research assesses stormwater flow and pollutant removal performance for total suspended solids, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. Results show that both WSUD treatment trains reduce pollutant loads and improve stormwater quality compared to pre-development conditions. Sydney Park demonstrates increasing efficiency along its wetland sequence, while Angus Creek achieves notable pollutant reduction despite diverting only 10% of runoff. Although performance is limited by pump capacity and diversion constraints, the findings confirm that well-designed WSUD infrastructure enhances environmental health, supports water reuse, and reduces downstream impacts in urban catchments.