Stormwater Maintenance & Safety
Maintenance Manual Working Group.
We are modernising the industry’s leading stormwater maintenance guide from a static manual into a practical, web-based resource for the people who inspect, clean, maintain and manage stormwater assets.
The project will establish clearer minimum safety expectations, updated maintenance guidance, digital reporting templates and a pathway toward nationally consistent training and provider capability.
Key Deliverables:
Updated safety standards
-
Digital reporting templates
-
Nationally consistent maintenance practice
Project Overview
Modernising Stormwater Maintenance Standards.
The Challenge
The current “Yellow Book” remains the industry’s leading maintenance guide, but its last update was in January 2022. Since then, it has not kept pace with modern safety expectations, digital reporting, asset data requirements or the practical realities faced by maintenance crews in the field.
Our Action
Stormwater 2030 is coordinating a technical working group to update the guide, incorporate new safety standards and KPIs, and transform the manual into a mobile-friendly, web-based resource that can be used on site.
The Impact
Once complete, the updated maintenance standard will help councils, asset owners and service providers maintain stormwater assets more consistently, improve field safety, support better reporting and extend the life of critical infrastructure nationwide.
Project Deliverables
What We Are Building.
01
Updated Maintenance
Guidance
A modernised technical guide that reflects current maintenance requirements, asset types, safety expectations and field realities.
02
Minimum Safety
Standards
Clearer safety standards for inspecting and maintaining stormwater assets, including high-risk and confined-space environments.
03
Digital Reporting
Templates
Practical reporting templates that support consistent maintenance records, asset condition data, photos, defects and follow-up actions.
04
Mobile-Friendly
Access
A dynamic web-based portal that allows operators, councils and asset managers to access guidance and templates in the field.
05
National Training
Alignment
A pathway to align the manual with a national training framework and support a more consistent standard of maintenance capability.
WORKING GROUP STRUCTURE
How We Are Delivering the Project.
A collaborative, multil-displinary working group structure ensure the updated manual is practical, credible and ready for national adoption.
Governance Committee
Provides strategic oversight, manages project direction and supports the transition and long-term ownership of the updated manual.
Technical Committee
Brings together manufacturers, maintenance operators, asset managers, councils, engineers and academics to review content and develop practical standards.
Industry Review & Testing
Tests the updated guidance, templates and reporting processes with real operators and asset owners before broader release.
Execution Strategy
Core Targets & Timeline.
Phase 1
Technical
Review
Conduct a comprehensive technical update of the existing maintenance manual, incorporating modern safety expectations, operational risks, asset types and maintenance KPIs.
Phase 2
Digital
Transformation
Convert the manual from a static PDF into a dynamic, web-based portal with mobile access, practical templates and field-ready guidance.
Phase 3
Training & Provider
Alignment
Align the updated manual with a national training framework and explore a formal panel or recognition pathway for maintenance providers.
End Goal
End Goal National
Transition
Legally transfer the intellectual property to Stormwater Australia over a proposed three-year transition period, ensuring long-term industry ownership and adoption.
Technical Alignment
SQID Taskforce Recommendations
This initiative directly supports SQID Taskforce Stage 1 recommendations relating to maintenance standards, provider capability, safety, training and asset management.
Be Part of the Change
Join the Maintenance Working Group.
We are seeking industry experts, councils, asset owners, manufacturers, maintenance operators and sponsors to help modernise Australia’s stormwater maintenance standards.
Join the Governance Committee
Help guide the project, oversee the transition and support long-term industry adoption.
- Provide strategic oversight and governance.
- Support the national rollout and long-term sustainability.
- Help guide the transition of the updated manual.
Join the Technical Committee
Contribute practical expertise on maintenance, safety, inspections, asset performance and field reporting.
- Review maintenance, safety and reporting content.
- Share real-world field and operational experience.
- Help ensure the standards are practical, achievable and effective.
Sponsor the Project
Support the development of the updated manual, digital portal and national rollout.
- Fund the updated manual and digital resources.
- Demonstrate leadership in safer, more consistent maintenance.
- Gain recognition as a project supporter.
Stronger maintenance standards. Safer systems. Better outcomes.
Help build a national standard that improves stormwater maintenance, protects workers, supports councils and keeps critical infrastructure performing over the long term.
