INITIATIVES

SQID

HELPING SQIDS BE BETTER SQIDS

NSW SQID Taskforce

The NSW SQID Taskforce is a collaborative initiative aimed at improving the approval process for Stormwater Quality Improvement Devices (SQIDs) in New South Wales. This review is based on aligning with the current national Stormwater Quality Improvement Device Evaluation Protocol. The taskforce establishment has been led by Stormwater NSW and Blacktown City Council.

This Taskforce brings together industry experts, government representatives, and key stakeholders to address existing challenges and ensure a more efficient, consistent, and robust framework for SQID assessment and implementation.

Why the Review?

Current practices surrounding SQID approval in NSW face several key challenges:

Inefficiency and inconsistency

Identify failures and opportunities within the stormwater sector to improve community outcomes.

Limited scope of assessment

Existing evaluation processes primarily focus on water quality performance, neglecting crucial aspects like lifecycle costs, maintainability, safety, and sustainability.

Lack of clear guidance

A lack of endorsed guidelines from peak bodies and government departments creates confusion and uncertainty for both applicants and approval authorities.

This review seeks to address these issues by developing clear recommendations and a framework for a
more comprehensive and effective SQID approval process.

What’s the Approach?

The NSW SQID Taskforce is undertaking a 12 month, multi-stage approach:

1. Identifying key issues and gaps
The Taskforce is actively gathering input from stakeholders to identify the most pressing challenges and areas for improvement in the current SQID approval process. 

2. Developing recommendations
Based on this input, the Taskforce will develop a set of recommendations for a revised approval framework in NSW. This will include considerations for:

Expanding the scope of assessment beyond water quality to include lifecycle costs, maintainability, safety, and sustainability.
Establishing a clear and consistent approval process.
Defining appropriate governance structures.
Identifying funding requirements.

3.Collaboration and influence
The Taskforce will work with Stormwater Australia to influence improvements to the national SQIDEP standard and advocate for the adoption of the recommended framework in NSW.