Effective stormwater management and drainage design underpin safe, resilient and sustainable development across Victoria. From small urban infill projects to Precinct Structure Plans and major infrastructure. Drainage systems play a critical role in managing flows, protecting waterways and minimising flood risk. Yet practitioners currently operate within a fragmented landscape of standards and guidelines, including Australian Rainfall and Runoff, the IDM, EDCM, Melbourne Water's LDM and numerous local council standards. While each document has merit, the absence of a single, consolidated statewide manual has resulted in inconsistency, uncertainty and inefficiency in drainage decision making most of which is based on outdated methods.
In response, Stormwater Victoria, in partnership with the Association of Land Development Engineers, is leading the development of the Victorian Urban Drainage Manual. VUDM is being designed as a practical, prescriptive how to manual spanning stormwater planning, investigations, design, construction and operation. Supported by worked examples and guided solutions, it aims to provide a defensible and consistent framework for designers and approving authorities across Victoria.
This keynote outlines the intent, structure and scope of VUDM, its alignment with existing guidance, and emerging directions informed by statewide consultation. The session invites practitioner and asset owner input to support a adopted, best practice approach to urban drainage in Victoria.