Springwood resident Phillip Birtles believes that there is an essential connection between people and water. Through his work at Sydney Water, he taps into that connection, strengthening it and contributing to healthier, happier communities while simultaneously improving waterway health.
Key Points:
How we use and manage water is crucial to healthy waterways and happy communities, especially in the face of challenges like climate change and urbanisation.
Built form can have negative impacts on the natural water cycle, leading to stormwater runoff, pollution, erosion, and sedimentation of waterways.
Integrated Water Cycle Management takes a holistic approach to managing water for healthier environments, minimal waste, and better public amenity.
Available at the turn of a tap, mindlessly consumed, flushed and forgotten. Water is essential to life, and yet so often taken for granted. Springwood resident and Integrated Water Cycle Manager at Sydney Water, Phillip Birtles, is working hard to change how people understand the water cycle and to create better systems of water management.
“How we use water is so important because there’s only so much of it,” he said. “Truth is, there is enough water in Sydney, but we have to work harder to set up better systems in urban areas. We need to have a more mature view of water and the water cycle. So much water is being flushed and so much storm water is running off because of all the hard surfaces – we need to get better at capturing that, especially with climate change and urbanisation. But that’s exciting. It requires different thinking. My job is to move the dial on those things.”
Happy kids enjoying Blue Mountains waterways. (Photo: Belle Butler)
Phillip became interested in rivers and waterway health while studying environmental science at university. He developed a particular interest in urban waterway restoration and later worked at the Department of Land and Water Conservation, promoting Water Sensitive Urban Design concepts and best practice around managing stormwater. “I was trying to protect tiny little streams from development, and I realised the biggest impact was stormwater.”
Water Sensitive Urban Design accepts that conventional urban development can have negative impacts on the natural water cycle. Built-form is full of impervious surfaces that prevent water from doing its natural thing and soaking into the soil. Instead, the water runs off into stormwater drains and watercourses, causing erosion of natural waterways, sedimentation of creeks and rivers, and carrying pollutants with it along the way. Not only is this causing damage to the environment, but it is also enabling the large-scale wasting of water.
Water Sensitive Urban Design aims to integrate the water cycle into urban design, thereby minimising the damage to natural waterways while harnessing, treating and re-using stormwater.
Rock-lined flow paths as part of the Glenbrook Raingardens Project (Photo: Julie Nance)
Sydney Water and Blue Mountains City Council’s jointly funded ‘Glenbrook Raingardens Project’ is an example of this approach. The project involves constructing raingardens and a naturalised stormwater channel with embedded biofilters to remove nutrients from stormwater flows that enter the Hawkesbury Nepean River via Knapsack Creek, thus improving waterway health, creating habitat and improving biodiversity.
At Sydney Water, Phillip’s job has two major focal points: Setting up Integrated Water Cycle Systems in the new development areas around the Western Sydney Airport; and improving water management systems in Parramatta as part of the Make Parramatta River Swimmable Again project.
Integrated Water Cycle Management of Western Sydney Parkland City. (Click to enlarge. Image supplied by Sydney Water)
“Integrated Water Cycle Management is about considering the balance of water sources and sinks in the urban contexts at the same time to provide efficiencies and reduce waste. In this way extra benefits can also be identified and considered,” Phillip said.
He explained that Wianamatta (‘The Mother Place’ in Dharug), or South Creek as it’s commonly known, is the most significant waterway that runs through Western Sydney. Already degraded from past and present land-use practices since European settlement, it is also a catchment area that is experiencing rapid urban development. Phillip’s aim is to set up Integrated Water Cycle Systems that improve and protect the health of the natural waterways, manage and utilise water efficiently, and vastly improve the liveability of the area.
“The biggest risk to freshwater streams like Wianamatta is stormwater, causing erosion and then sedimentation,” he said. “One solution is to hold stormwater, harvest as much as possible and put it into a distribution system as a recycled product, mainly used for irrigation and by industry. This reduces the draw down on the dam and protects the system, creating almost unlimited water supply in the urbanised areas of Western Sydney, which are getting hotter and hotter.”
Artist impression of treatment wetlands and trunk drainage channels and creeks (Photo supplied by Sydney Water)
While the science and tech are all there to create and implement these systems, the task is not so simple. “A truly integrated approach to something as complex as the water system is really difficult,” Phillip said. “It requires a holistic approach, and change, which can be hard because people resist change, even when we can see the benefits of it. A lot of what I do is getting different people to talk about it – connecting people and helping them understand. So it’s a people game.”
Connecting people with water is a driving force of Phillip’s work. “Human connection to water is really important,” he said. “It seems that people are drawn to it – real estate value near water is an indicator of that. There are lots of studies that show significant mental health improvements from connection with water, so it’s really important communities have access to clean waterways that aren’t sanitised.”
1938 swimmers at Lake Parramatta. (Photo State Library of NSW)
In line with his passion for bringing water and people together, one of the highlights of Phillip’s career has been his involvement in the Parramatta River Masterplan and Make Parramatta River Swimmable Again. “This was the first time we really connected catchment management with a swimming outcome,” he said, “and it was an example of effective community engagement.”
The process involved engaging a PR firm that asked the local community what resonated with them and the Parramatta River. The answer was swimming, and so ensued the Parramatta River Catchment Group’s project, Make Parramatta River Swimmable Again. “We started by asking the people a question, then looked at the data to see if it was possible. We were able to create a management program focussing on an outcome that the community wanted – rather than the usual way of looking at data first, then moving the dial on it to loosely match community outcomes last.”
The project involves rigorous modelling to find out which sites on the Parramatta River are possible to improve and make safe for swimming, the implementation of stronger requirements on stormwater management and sewer system upgrades, auditing major construction sites, and water quality testing as well as real time monitoring at the designated swim sites. “This changed the conversation in Sydney around waterway management,” Phillip said. “It legitimised that you can have a stormwater management outcome and swimming in urban areas.”
Concept impression of a potential future swimming site. (Image Studio Octopi, supplied by Sydney Water)
In this project, and at the heart of Phillip’s work, is the simple equation that a positive outcome for waterways equals a positive outcome for people. “Improving water quality for swimming means improving waterway health in general. It creates a positive feedback loop – if people care about swimming in water, then people care about clean waterways.”
Take Action:
Individuals can make changes at home to better manage water. Some small actions can make a difference, including:
Installing a rain water tank.
Building a raingarden. Find tips on how to do it yourself here: Building a raingarden
When embarking on building work, being conscious of sediment runoff and install a temporary silt fence.
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
Our marquee is up and we`re excited about our Expo and Family Day tomorrow (Sat 22 Nov). There`s something for everyone from a free sausage sizzle, plants from Santa and drumming and pollinator workshops, to sessions on keeping you and our community safe from extreme weather events and hazardous substances like mould and asbestos. Learn how intumescent paints can slow the spread of fire and pick up a sample pot; check out all our emergency service organisations; learn how to dispose of hazardous materials; paint a native orchid, make some seed balls or sew a boomerang bag to give as plastic-free Christmas presents this year; enjoy coffee and locally made sweets; and get tips on how to retrofit your home safely and beautifully to be prepared for future extreme weather events. View the full program and register here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
There are so many new and innovative ways of doing things, like the new cooking techniques being explored by Michael from Good Fat Pastry, and the new fire protection methods being launched at the Planetary Health Centre`s Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 Nov. Check out Michael’s recent presentation at the Food Security Fair in our video here: https://bit.ly/4pnXbIg (link in profile) and come along to taste his delicious carrot cake and pastries at the Expo on Saturday. Check out the program and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
In 2006 Peter Joseph’s son Michael suicided after a 14-year episodic battle with mental illness. Peter is now the Chair of the Black Dog Institute which is working to achieve better outcomes for all those struggling with mental health issues. Journalist Emma Rossi will engage Peter in an intimate and moving conversation about a life of purpose and mental health advocacy. As a Rotary scholar Peter will also reflect on how Rotary helped shape his values and sense of purpose as a young man - and how those early lessons continue to guide his work today. This free event is being hosted by the Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary Club and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative on Saturday 29 November from 2-4pm at the Planetary Health Centre at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Learn about intumescent fire retardant paint and a range of other strategies to prepare for extreme weather events, and to manage hazardous materials, at the upcoming Expo and Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre on Sat 22 Nov. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J We checked out how intumescent paint works in this video.
When temperatures reach a certain point the intumescent paint begins to swell and expand, often up to 50 times its original thickness. It forms a thick, carbonaceous "char" that acts as an insulating barrier. This layer slows the rate at which heat reaches the structural elements and buys valuable time for people to safely exit a building during a fire. It makes the structure safer for firefighters and rescue teams. #intumescentpaint #fireretardant #bushfire @firecoat_au...
Mould, lead paint, asbestos, silica dust from engineered stone bench tops and a wide range of chemicals, are amongst some of the many hazardous substances entering our environment and negatively impacting our health. Asbestos is found in over 3000 products including textured paints, moulded garden pots, brake pads and clutch linings in older cars, floor and ceiling tiles, lino, fibro, roofing, pipes and gutters, hot water systems, backing for switchboards and insulation boards in air-conditioning ducts, insulation, sealants, fillers, caulking and adhesives, gaskets for industrial and lab equipment and more. We’ll have information to take away and Blue Mountains City Council and the Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Consultants Association (AHCA) will be running free workshops on how to identify and manage these hazardous substances at the Planetary Health Centre`s Disaster Risk Awareness Expo in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. Find out more and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Are you ready for the next bushfire, heatwave or flood? Why not take steps to prepare at the Planetary Health Centre`s Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 Nov. Award-winning Hempcrete designer Kirstie Wulf from @shelter.building.design will share 10 steps to build or renovate for sustainability and resilience; engineer Mark Liebman will share how you can build a green roof to reduce stormwater runoff and cool your building; Dr Agnieszka Wujeska-Klause will share research results on the most appropriate actions to lower heat in summer and help you use a thermal imaging camera to identify which surfaces retain the most heat; Frank Inzitari will introduce you to the @firehalo.au which can help reduce ember attack; and a team from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) will work with you to use the Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit to design your own personal bushfire plan. We`ll also be launching Firecoat`s new Bushfire Home Protection Kit. Learn more and register to attend here: https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
There are so many extraordinary volunteers keeping us and wildlife safe all year round! Come along and meet them at the Expo and Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba on Saturday 22nd Nov. Learn what you can do to be ready for emergencies, and how you can volunteer or help in some other way. Together we can be more prepared and reduce the risk of disaster. There`ll be a free sausage sizzle so help give us an idea of numbers by registering here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Thank you Blue Mountains community for the generous donation of 11 sewing machines which we`ll be using for our free sewing workshop with Boomerang Bags at the Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 November at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. It`s an opportunity for the whole family to make free Christmas presents that `don`t cost the earth`! Register here if you`d like to attend (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J (and you`ll get a free fire retardant plant from Santa while you`re there!)
Did you know that Australia has the world`s highest incidence of asbestos-related diseases per capita in the world, killing more than 4,000 Australians every year - three times more than the annual road toll; and that asbestos-related deaths are predicted to rise! Asbestos isn’t just in fibro homes and sheds - it was used in the manufacture of more than 3000 asbestos containing products with many of these products remaining in any brick, fibro, weatherboard, clad home or apartment built or renovated before 1990. Asbestos was used everywhere in homes - lurking under floor coverings including carpets, linoleum and vinyl tiles, behind wall and floor tiles, in cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings and ceiling space (insulation), eaves, garages, roofs, around hot water pipes, fences, home extensions, garages, outdoor toilets, backyard and farm structures, chook sheds and even in dog kennels. Exposure to asbestos fibres during home renovations has been linked to 51% of mesothelioma deaths. There is no cure for mesothelioma. The average survival time following diagnosis is just 10-12 months. Homeowners, renovators and tradies are most at risk of exposure if they disturb asbestos containing materials. On Saturday 22 November, “Betty – The Asbestos Education House” will be a prominent feature of the Blue Mountains City Council’s Disaster Risk Awareness Expo to help educate local homeowners and tradies about the dangers of asbestos that remains lurking in 1-in-3 Aussie homes including many throughout the Blue Mountains region as part of National Asbestos Awareness Month (November). There will also be workshops and stalls on asbestos and a range of other hazardous materials and how you can manage them to protect youreself, your family and your community. Find out more and register here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Emily from @handsheartfeet will be leading a free drumming workshop at the Planetary Health Centre Expo and Family Day in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. It`s suitable for all ages and so much fun! Places are limited so reserve your spot here: https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J (link in profile)
The Planetary Health newsletter is now out! Read it here: https://bit.ly/4o1FflK (link in profile)
It includes: • Expo and Family Day on Nov 22 • A Story of Purpose & Mental Health with Rotarian Peter Joseph AM from the Black Dog Institute on Nov 29 • How to Use a Sewing Machine Workshop on Nov 29 • Qigong, Upper Mountains Seed Saving & Gardening Group and Planetary Health Bushcare on Dec 6 • Legalising human composting as a sustainable death care option in NSW • The Climate Risk and Adaptation Plan for the Blue Mountains
We are so excited to be launching revolutionary new fire protection coatings that can stop your home burning down and slow the spread of fire. Learn more and pick up a sample pot at the Planetary Health Expo on Sat 22 Nov at 10am. FIRECOAT interior and exterior undercoat has been developed by scientists at UNSW and is already available for this fire season but new products will also be shared at the Expo, including a flexible fire-protective covering designed for temporary use on windows, doors, poles, fences, vehicles, equipment and other small assets. There is even a product that can create a fire-protective barrier around your home and these assets. FIRECOAT is waterproof, non toxic and game changing. Register here to attend the launch (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J and PLEASE SHARE. This breakthrough technology can help make our communities safer.
Belle Butler is a writer, musician and occasional photographer. She likes mix-and-matching these artforms and often explores the same themes through each of them. Her short fiction has been published in numerous Australian literary journals and she recently received a WestWords Fellowship and Mentorship with Delia Falconer for her novel manuscript, ‘River.’ Hopefully it will be published one day.
The concept of planetary health is rapidly gaining attention globally, as the world increasingly confronts the interconnected challenges of environmental degradation, climate change, and public health crises. But what does the term 'planetary health' really mean, and why does it matter?
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