Organisational Change in Urban Stormwater Quality Management Programs

Transdisciplinarity has recently gained favour as an effective strategic approach when dealing with complex environmental issues. The following discussion will show by example how the Urban Stormwater Quality Management (USQM) industry, dealing with a specific aspect of waterway health, has adopted transdisciplinary theory and is moving towards securing a paradigm shift in the way water quality for waterway health is managed. Melbourne Water is seeking to work with local government in a different way from the multidisciplinary relationship that has traditionally divided the public realm. The work is being undertaken as part of the Yarra River Action Plan which has set aside $20 million aimed at water quality improvement throughout Melbourne Water's region of jurisdiction. Melbourne Water's Stormwater Quality Programs work in partnership with thirty eight local governments in and around Melbourne. These programs aim to change the way local governments manage urban stormwater runoff. Each of these thirty eight organisations is at a different stage of change, examples of which will be drawn upon to demonstrate a transdisciplinary process of change towards sustainability in USQM.