Drainage: a neglected issue

In the late 1800s, Melbourne faced severe challenges in managing the city’s waste. This growing public health issue led to the formation of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) in 1891. The predecessor to Melbourne Water, the MMBW established a sewerage system, with the first homes connected in 1897.

Despite this progress, drainage remained a neglected issue. Melbourne continued to expand, encroaching on low-lying areas and wetlands while altering waterways for urban development. It wasn’t until 1924, when the Metropolitan Drainage and Rivers Act was enacted, that serious attention was given to the city’s drainage needs.

An evolving approach

With Melbourne’s expansion came new challenges. Unchecked drainage infrastructure was insufficient to handle major storms, underscoring the need for a more effective drainage system.

In 1927, Melbourne’s councils and the MMBW adopted the 60-hectare convention. This split their responsibilities: the MMBW managed larger catchments, while local councils oversaw smaller ones. This shared management approach remains critical to this day.

As urbanisation accelerated throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s, many waterways were lined with concrete to better manage flooding. But by the 1970s, growing public concern over the environment ushered in an era of restoration and better drainage integration with Melbourne’s landscape.

A turning point came in 1976 with the enactment of the Drainage of Land Act. This introduced the 100-year Average Recurrence Interval (ARI) standard to better protect Melbourne’s growing urban areas from extreme floods. By then, drainage standards had improved significantly, incorporating overland flow paths, designed street layouts and enhanced underground drainage capacity.

Future challenges

While early drainage solutions focused solely on flood prevention, today’s management aims to enhance waterway health, improve environmental sustainability and uphold Melbourne’s liveability.