Emergence of decentralised water and sanitation systems in Melbourne, Australia. (1st January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fam, Dena; Mitchell, Cynthia; Abeysuriya, Kumi; Lopes, Abby Mellick
• Is Part Of: International journal of water. Volume 8:Number 2(2014)
• Page Start: 149
• Page End: 165
• Publication Date: 2014-01-01
• Subjects: multi-level perspective -- decentralised systems -- emergence -- transition management -- visioning -- sustainable development -- futures planning strategy -- Melbourne Sustainable Sewerage Strategy -- cross disciplinary collaboration; Water -- Periodicals; Water resources development -- Periodicals; 553.705
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-6620

Abstract

In Melbourne, Australia, a shift is occurring in the approach to wastewater management. With increased pressure from landscape drivers such as population growth, urbanisation, and over a decade of extended drought conditions, a new model of wastewater management is being explored by Melbourne's metropolitan water utilities in the development of their latest Metropolitan Sewerage Strategy (MSS). With input from key industry leaders and a broad range of stakeholders a collaborative 'vision' of sustainable sewerage services to Melbourne over a 50 year timeframe was developed with decentralised systems emerging as a key, long-term component of service delivery. Drawing on the multi-level perspective (MLP), we investigate the interrelated and reinforcing factors that have driven this shift in perception toward decentralised systems and serious consideration of alternative socio-technical configurations of wastewater management in Melbourne's future planning strategy. We then explore the process in which cross disciplinary participants from industry, government and civil society articulated their vision of a long term sustainable sanitation future for Melbourne.