History

The Cities of Adelaide, Burnside, Mitcham, Unley and West Torrens have worked collaboratively over several years to develop a Stormwater Management Plan aimed at mitigating flood risk within the catchment.

Joint Arrangement Phase

From its inception in 2007 until February 2018, the project was conducted as a joint arrangement between the Constituent Councils in accordance with a Memorandum of Agreement dated December 2008.

The Memorandum of Agreement included the following principal objectives and provisions:

• The Councils would establish a regional subsidiary in terms consistent with principles for stormwater management including implementation of works and services of the Plan.
• The Councils would work collaboratively through a steering group, comprising chief executives or their delegate, with the power to employ a Project Director, engage expert advice and establish a technical support group (along with other provisions).
• The City of Unley (as ‘host’ Council) would provide for the administrative functions of the project, including entering into agreements with third parties, holding moneys, keeping financial and other records, and employing support staff.

The Stormwater Management Authority is a statutory corporation that acts as a state-wide planning and prioritisation body for stormwater management and implements the Stormwater Management Agreement.

The Stormwater Management Agreement promotes the management of stormwater in a way that delivers multiple benefits including flood protection, public amenity, healthy waterways and healthy coastal environments. 

During the joint arrangement phase, the Plan was developed as a collaborative effort leading to its subsequent approval by the Stormwater Management Authority (SMA) and gazettal of its adoption in February 2017. Certain investigations and works of the Plan were also delivered during the joint arrangement phase.

Regional Subsidiary

A condition of the Stormwater Management Authority approving the Stormwater Management Plan was that a Regional Subsidiary be established within 12 months to implement the Plan and manage its works and other measures on behalf of the Constituent Councils. The Regional Subsidiary, known as ‘The Brown Hill and Keswick Creeks Stormwater Board’ (the ‘Board’) was established in February 2018 pursuant to Section 43 of and Schedule 2 to the Local Government Act 1999. The Board is governed by a Charter prepared by the five Constituent Councils and subsequently approved by the Minister for Local Government.

The Charter governs the affairs of the Board by setting out its purpose, function and powers, including governance provisions. It also provides the Constituent Councils with a legally enforceable agreement specifying their rights and obligations in achieving common interests.