VUDM Framework
PDF · 2.0 MB · Updated Jun 2026
Introduction to the Victoria Urban Drainage Manual, scope, and guiding principles.
Stormwater Victoria Initiative
Victoria Urban
Drainage Manual
A consolidated, prescriptive drainage design manual for civil infrastructure professionals across Victoria - unifying fragmented guidelines into a single authoritative resource.
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Manuals Consolidated
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Working Group Bodies
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Chapters Planned
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01 - Overview
The Problem
We're Solving
Stormwater drainage is critical to all civil development across Victoria. Every road, subdivision, and urban precinct depends on its design to manage water responsibly and protect communities.
While the underlying standards are largely consistent, the methodology for demonstrating compliance is fragmented across many competing manuals - each with overlapping scope, varied terminology, and divergent worked examples.
Stormwater Victoria has identified the clear need for a single consolidated manual: an authoritative reference that practitioners, reviewers, and authorities can rely on with confidence.
Current Landscape
Current Fragmented Landscape
- Australian Rainfall and Runoff (ARR) 2019 - Geoscience Australia
- Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) - LGIDA
- Engineering Design & Construction Manual (EDCM) - VPA
- Guide to Road Design Part 5B - Austroads
- Melbourne Water Corporation Documents (Waterways, Wetlands, Bioretention, Flood Safety)
- Various Local Council Manuals
- Numerous CMA Documents
The Vision
A centralised set of processes for the design and review of drainage assets.
Unlike ARR 2019, the VUDM will be prescriptive - here is the problem, here are the recommended solutions, with worked examples. Modelled on Queensland's QUDM, it will provide drainage professionals with the clarity and consistency the industry has long required.
02 - About Us
Roles &
Responsibilities
A structured working group ensures the manual is technically rigorous, operationally practical, and broadly endorsed across Victoria's drainage and infrastructure community.
01
Steering Committee
- Oversees decision-making and funding allocation
- Ensures alignment with industry best practices
- Facilitates engagement with local councils, Melbourne Water, CMAs, and key stakeholders
02
Technical Working Group
- Provides subject-matter expertise on hydrology, hydraulics, and stormwater quality management
- Reviews and refines technical content in the manual
- Engages with external consultants for research and content development
03
Development & Publishing Partners
- Drafts and structures the manual content
- Reviews feedback from industry consultations
04
Stormwater Victoria
- Owns the document and oversees its long-term custodianship
- Leads maintenance, training, distribution, and ongoing updates
- Manages the website and digital platform hosting the manual
Oversight
Our Steering Committee
Independent oversight, chapter review and strategic direction.
Michael Yule
Chair • Principal, Integrated Water
Spiire
Anthony Stevens
Enterprise Program Manager
Melbourne Water
Quok Ho
Principal Consultant • ALDE
Precinct Land
Ronak Rahimi
Surface Water Management Leader
Aurecon
IL
Ian Leopando
Stormwater & Drainage
Wyndham City Council
Tim Fletcher
Professor
University of Melbourne
Authority, academia, council and industry — together at the table.
People
Our Working Group
Authors and reviewers driving chapter development.
Alice Lisitsa
President, Stormwater Victoria
BG&E
Jamie Tainton
Vice President, SV • ALDE
Director, Water Studio
Jon Griffin
President, LGIDA
Greater Shepparton CC
Chris Beardshaw
Principal
Afflux
Karl Velasco
Working Group
SMEC
David Moret
Working Group
DPM Consulting Group
Cross-industry: councils, consultants, and association leadership.
03 - Milestones
Project
Timeline
2016Completed
Need Identified
- Industry-wide need for a unified Victorian drainage manual conceived and identified
- Early conversations across councils, consultants, and water authorities
2020Completed
Work Commenced
- Stormwater Victoria began work on the manual
- Scoping of structure, governance, and stakeholder engagement model
2022Completed
Framework Seed Funding
- Seed funding provided by Stormwater Victoria to develop the framework document
- Needs assessment completed across industry
- Literature review of existing Victorian and interstate guidance
2024Completed
Funding & Foundation
- Funding secured for governance setup
- Website development commenced
- Drafting of Chapter 4: Stormwater Management Planning and Investigations
- Drafting of Chapter 5: On-Site Detention and Hydrology
2025In Progress
Initial Release
- Completion of the initial version of the manual
- Iterative updates based on industry feedback
- Broad stakeholder consultation across Victoria
BeyondPlanned
Ongoing Development
- Continuous refinement and expansion of chapters
- Integration with state and local government frameworks
- Digital platform hosting the live manual
04 - Industry Engagement
Who We
Consult
The VUDM is shaped by broad stakeholder consultation across Victoria - drawing on the experience of regulators, designers, planners, and environmental experts to ensure the manual is both rigorous and practically applicable in the field.
Local Councils & CMAs
Ensuring applicability across all Victorian jurisdictions
Consulting Engineers
Integrating practical design approaches from daily practitioners
Urban Planners
Aligning drainage design with land use planning and PSPs
Environmental Organisations
Aligning with WSUD and climate resilience strategies
Government Agencies
Coordinating with state and federal bodies for regulatory alignment
Melbourne Water
Incorporating waterways, wetlands, and flood safety design standards
Industry Associations
Coordinating with ALDE, EDCM, LGIDA and other peak bodies for sector-wide alignment
06 / Documents
Project documents and resources
Reference documents, working drafts, and supporting material published by Stormwater Victoria and the Technical Working Group.
SV2026 Conference Update
PDF · 2.6 MB · Updated Jun 2026
Latest industry engagement presentation delivered at the Stormwater Victoria 2026 Conference.
07 - News
Latest
Updates
Announcements, working group progress, and engagement updates from the VUDM project team.
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Funding Drive
Help us
finish the manual
We're raising $350,000 to complete the Victoria Urban Drainage Manual — covering the remaining technical chapters, peer review, and the digital publishing platform. Industry contributions take us across the line.
Raised
$0
Target
$350,000
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
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Funding level
Key Funding Partner
DEECA · Dept. of Energy, Environment & Climate Action
A heartfelt thank you to DEECA for their ongoing support of the Victoria Urban Drainage Manual. Their commitment to stormwater and integrated water management is helping deliver a modern, statewide technical reference for the industry.
05 - Get Involved
Join the
Technical Panel
Stormwater Victoria invites drainage professionals, engineers, urban planners, and researchers to contribute to the development of the VUDM. Your expertise will shape a manual that serves the industry for decades to come.
Whether you'd like to join the Technical Working Group, provide review feedback, or simply stay informed, register your interest using the form opposite.
Primary Contact
Alice Lisitsa
Chair of Technical Working Group
President, Stormwater Victoria
Contact
Michael Yule
Chair of Steering Committee