ongoing educational and research collaborations with the Georges Riverkeeper examine cultural considerations in WSUD technologies . These include assessing historic interactions with the Georges River and producing policy recommendations to consolidate council approaches to WSUDs .
She has partnered with Riverwood Community Centre and Georges Riverkeeper to develop a community engagement model to improve community water knowledge and promote meaningful long-term connections with water . The model shares with communities how local stormwater management systems work to promote greater community ownership . The team is testing wetland water quality with people from the Riverwood area , supported by the Riverwood Community Centre , to help establish these systems as part of their lives .
The project has also delivered community education sessions and community participation activities in connection with the community garden . Its methodology has been developed with the Georges Riverkeeper , Canterbury-Bankstown Council and Sydney Water to promote broader community engagement , water literacy and advocacy .
Our collaboration
Marilu Melo Zurita partnered on the project , funded by Sydney Water , with :
> Dr Veljko Prodanovic from the UNSW Water Research Centre > UNSW undergraduate students : Max Kwok , Nabila Namira > UNSW HDR students : Taylor Coyne , Hang Cui and Wenhui Wu > Riverwood Community Centre , Canterbury Bankstown > And Georges Riverkeeper through the Georges River
Combined Councils ’ Committee .
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UNSW staff water testing onsite . Photo : Nabila Namira .
Wetlands , such as the Salt Pan Creek Wetlands in Riverwood , are often central to community engagement and recreational activities for families , yet we are often unaware of the functions these WSUDs perform in the urban space . This research addresses some of the disconnections between communities , water authorities and local water infrastructure by engaging communities with their management , Marilu Melo Zurita says .
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Creating Impact @ UNSW Arts , Design & Architecture 73 .