Canberra’s ambitious plan to build more medium-density housing is hitting a snag—and it’s one that could leave the city underwater, literally. With aging stormwater systems struggling to keep up, the dream of accommodating a growing population might just turn into a flood-soaked nightmare.
The ACT government has set its sights on expanding medium-density housing in suburban areas, aiming to provide residents with more housing options while addressing population growth. But here’s where it gets controversial: as the climate becomes more unpredictable, many are questioning whether Canberra’s infrastructure—particularly its stormwater systems—can handle the strain.
The issue was thrust into the spotlight recently when severe thunderstorms and flash flooding wreaked havoc on Yarralumla Creek, a concrete floodway in the Curtin area. This event underscored a critical point raised by Julia Tresidder, vice president of the Curtin Residents Association, during an ACT Legislative Assembly inquiry into the need for more medium-density, or “missing middle,” housing.
“The stormwater infrastructure needs upgrading to keep pace with the increasing population,” Tresidder emphasized. She pointed out that upcoming housing developments, including build-to-rent projects, require careful planning to mitigate flooding risks. “We need at least 40% of blocks to be permeable to absorb runoff during sudden rainstorms,” she explained. “Take January, for example—we had almost no rain, and then two months’ worth poured down in a single evening. The damage was undeniable.”
The problem intensifies with higher-density housing, which introduces more hard surfaces into neighborhoods. These surfaces, unlike natural or permeable ones, cannot absorb stormwater runoff, increasing the risk of flooding. Peter Coombes, an Engineers Australia Fellow and expert from Urban Water Cycle Solutions, warns that while densification has long been a go-to strategy for managing population growth, its feasibility hinges on infrastructure readiness.
“Densification has been treated like a magic solution, but the real question is: can we densify without upgrading the existing infrastructure?” Coombes challenged. He highlighted that stormwater systems—pipes, pits, and the like—have historically been neglected, receiving inadequate maintenance and upgrades. “In many parts of Canberra, the stormwater system is already at or beyond capacity,” he noted. His decade-old analysis revealed that some areas couldn’t support further densification without localized solutions, emphasizing the need to integrate stormwater management into planning policies.
“Relying on outdated approaches, like managing runoff at the bottom of the catchment, simply won’t cut it anymore,” Coombes added.
James Bennett from the ACT City and Environment Directorate assured that the government is taking steps to address these concerns. New planning requirements mandate that developers incorporate stormwater management into their designs, including permeable surfaces and planting areas to retain water on-site. “For runoff that does enter the stormwater network, we’re implementing ongoing infrastructure studies, capacity upgrades, and targeted interventions to manage impacts across the network,” Bennett explained.
But here’s the part most people miss: while these measures are a step in the right direction, they may not be enough to future-proof Canberra against increasingly extreme weather events. And this raises a thought-provoking question: Can we truly balance housing growth with environmental resilience, or are we setting ourselves up for a flood-prone future?
What do you think? Is Canberra’s approach to stormwater management sufficient, or does more need to be done? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that could shape the city’s future.
