New permeable paved footpaths make City of Marion cooler and greener

The City of Marion has built its first footpaths using locally-sourced permeable pavers as part of its efforts to keep the Council cooler and greener.

The footpaths have been constructed at Addison Road in Warradale and Moreland Avenue in Mitchell Park with Council now exploring more opportunities to install the pavers in future capital works projects.

Permeable pavers are made from specially-graded porous base materials and are designed to fit together to allow rainwater to infiltrate more easily into the soil below.

The footpath construction reduces flood risk and stormwater runoff while removing pollutants, helping to water street tree roots, and keeping urban environments cooler and greener.

Installing permeable paved footpaths is part of the City of Marion’s efforts as a member council of Resilient South to incorporate Water Sensitive Urban Design into future planning.

Resilient South is a partnership involving the neighbouring Cities of Marion, Holdfast Bay, Onkaparinga and Mitcham, and the State Government. It was set up 11 years ago to get on the front foot in addressing the localised impacts of climate change.

Besides permeable paving, the City of Marion has installed 200 tree inlets along roads across the Council to provide a source of water for street trees.

The inlets are installed in kerbside gutters and are specially designed to keep out debris and allow rainwater to be collected in underground reservoirs beneath the kerb.

Storing water under the road verge helps to keep street trees passively watered in dry periods, while also decreasing the pressure on the stormwater system during heavy rainfall events.

The City of Marion has also installed more than 130 rain gardens.

Rain gardens are planted features installed next to paved areas on public land that allow stormwater to be collected, filtered, and used by plants.

More information about permeable paving, tree inlets, rain gardens and other Water Sensitive Urban Design projects is available on the Resilient South website at www.resilientsouth.com/water