Stormwater amenity improvements
In 2024, Hunter Water completed a series of amenity upgrades across four open stormwater channels, transforming them into greener, more inviting community spaces.
Two years on and still going strong
We carried out works along our stormwater channels at Winding, Throsby, Dark, and Bellbird Creeks.
These works were shaped directly by what our customers told us in 2018 during engagement on the types of services we provide and the prices our customers pay - they valued more liveable environments and were willing to support beautification of open stormwater channels as part of the 2020–25 pricing period.
To select the most suitable locations, we worked closely with Lake Macquarie City Council, City of Newcastle and Cessnock City Council. Together, we prioritised recreational areas where lush landscaping, vibrant murals and revitalised public spaces would help communities reconnect with their local waterways in Cardiff, Mayfield, Jesmond and Cessnock.
Frequently asked questions
What is ‘amenity’ and what does it mean for this project?
The word amenity has two meanings: not only is it about how attractive or beautiful a place is, it also refers to desirable or useful features of a place.
These works made sections of our stormwater channels more beautiful – but this project was more than that.
Several desirable features that came out of the finished work. By making sections of our stormwater channels feel more inviting, we aimed to:
- enhance the natural environment
- create revitalised spaces for the community to enjoy
- reconnect the community with their local waterways, which will – hopefully – help to change community behaviours to deter graffiti and littering
How did the project originate?
In 2018 Hunter Water engaged with our customers to help inform the services we provide, the activities we perform and the prices our customers pay.
We discovered that our customers are willing to pay slightly more on their bills so we can deliver services that create more liveable communities and environments, specifically for the beautification of some of our open stormwater channels.
We proposed this as part of our 2020-25 IPART pricing period, which was finalised by IPART in June 2020.
What was the overall aim of this project?
To protect and enhance the natural environment, improve the look and feel of our urban spaces, reconnect the community with their local waterways, and change community behaviours to deter graffiti and littering.
Will the work have any flood impacts?
Each site was been designed so the works will not have an impact on flooding in the catchment.
Why did we install murals at some locations?
Installing murals at our stormwater channels was a great opportunity for Hunter Water to transform previously unloved or unattractive assets into beautiful works of art and create a sense of community.
For each mural we were able to engage more meaningfully with our community by involving them in the process and supporting important messages such as the value of water or our Indigenous history.
Our stormwater channels have also previously attracted vandalism and murals can act as a great graffiti deterrent.
More information