title: Restoration of stormwater retention capacity at the allotment-scale through a novel economic instrument.
abstract: Urbanisation results in changes to runoff behaviour which, if not addressed, inevitably degrade receiving waters. To date, most stormwater management has focussed on the streetscape and public open space. Given that much of the catchment imperviousness is located on private land, we developed and tested a novel economic instrument (a uniform price auction) for encouraging allotment-scale stormwater retention. We evaluated bids using an integrated environmental benefit index (EBI), based on the ability of the proposed works to reduce runoff frequency, pollutant loads and to reduce potable water demand. The uniform price auction resulted in 1.4 ha of impervious areas being effectively 'disconnected' from the stormwater system. The EBI provided an objective and transparent method of comparing bids, which varied in the type of works proposed (e.g. rainwater tank, rain-garden), the cost and the resulting environmental benefit. Whilst the pilot auction was a success, the public subsidy of works undertaken was around 85%, meaning that property owners a relatively small private benefit in the works. Future auction rounds will be revised to (i) test an EBI which is more focussed on the protection of streams (assessing changes to runoff frequency, baseflow volumes and water quality) and (ii) provide an auction process which is simpler to understand, and provides greater practical support for landholders who wish to undertake works.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering and Centre for Water Sensitive Cities Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. tim.fletcher@monash.edu
authors.forename: Tim D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: Chistopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Darren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.forename: Veronika
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nemes
authors.forename: Sharyn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: RossRakesh
authors.forename: Toby
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Prosser
authors.forename: Belinda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hatt
authors.forename: Rhiannon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Birch
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D001364:Awareness; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water