Design Update

The West Lakes Stormwater Management Plan (WLSMP) endorsed by Council designates Gleneagles Reserve as a prime spot to tackle flooding problems in Seaton. In addition to recent studies, flooding issues (especially in 2016 and 2022) emphasise the urgent need to address flooding in Seaton as the top priority. Gleneagles Reserve's expansive open space makes it an ideal location.

Consultation to Date

From December 2022 to February 2023, we consulted with the Seaton community about a proposed new stormwater detention in the Gleneagles Reserve. On Saturday 21 January 2023, a community session was held with over 45 people in attendance to provide feedback on the proposal. We also received 16 submissions online.

From the feedback it showed:

  • 74% of respondents used the reserve a few times a week or more.
  • Majority of the respondents used the reserve to exercise or walk (73%), socialise and relax (53%), walk the dog (46%), or to play on the playground (40%).
  • 74% of respondents were either aware of flooding issue in Seaton or flooding in their street.
  • 93% of respondents understood the need for stormwater detention in the reserve.

Many respondents supported the management of stormwater in the area based on personal flooding experiences (12 households have flooded in the last 5 years). The location of the detention (Gleneagles Reserve) was also supported, as long as people who use the park could still continue to utilise the space, as they do now for dog walking and other activities.

Play Equipment

We also asked for ideas from the community on what they want in the reserve. When developing the design for stormwater management in 2021, we thought the existing playground may be impacted. We have now determined, the stormwater design that has been endorsed by Council doesn't impact the play equipment within the reserve. Feedback and suggestions made through this community consultation will now be considered separately as part of a future budget proposal to Council.

A full summary of consultation received is available in the Community Engagement Report.

Since consultation, we have been working closely with a technical consultant along with our internal arborist and landscape architects to develop a design that would address our stormwater management needs, the needs of the community and reserve users.

The design shows:

- 165 trees are proposed to be removed.

- 200 or more trees of suitable species will be planted in the basin or surrounding area, a net gain of 35 or more trees.

- Realigning the car park entrance at Ailsa Avenue, removal of the dirt mound between the existing carpark entrance and Leven Avenue to gain additional stormwater detention volume.

- Removal of an old basketball ring behind the club as it is redundant (due to a relatively new one already at the existing playground) which will help to gain additional detention volume.

- Vertical 'gabion walls' along the carpark and clubroom building to increase detention.

- A large stormwater pit and weir in Dumfries Avenue to divert stormwater high flows from Dumfries Avenue main drain to the detention basin.

- A new stormwater pump station to pump water from the basin back in the Dumfries Avenue main drain. The pump station is designed to empty the basin within 24 hours after a rain event has ceased in the sub catchment.

Expected Outcomes of Gleneagles Reserve Stormwater Detention

In a rain event that occurs on an average of every 5 years, flooding in 23 properties will be prevented. In a more severe rain event that occurs once in every 100 years, flooding in 8 properties will be prevented.

The plan along with a report was recently presented to the Asset Management Committee on 20 November 2023 and to Council on 27 November 2023. At these meetings, the elected endorsed the plan for consultation.

The Asset Management Committee Report and Minutes are now available to view.

  • Earlier Consultation

    We initially consulted in December 2022 to February 2023 about Gleneagles Reserve Stormwater Managment. View the previous information.

    View Here 

Examples of Stormwater Detention Basins

Frequently Asked Questions

The Meakin Terrace sub catchment covers a large area and extends from the suburb of Beverley in the East to Grange in the West. The underground stormwater system drains via a network of pipes to the Grange Lakes channel near Nash Street, Grange.

Take a look at the map and zoom in to view area

The map below provides a snapshot of the location that will benefit because of the proposed works and includes Leven Avenue, Tapleys Hill Road, Wilford and Prior Avenues in Seaton.



A stormwater detention basin is a temporary stormwater storage structure that helps to reduce and slow down the flow of stormwater downstream.

Stormwater detention basins are widely used as flood management infrastructure in urbanised areas. A portion of Gleneagles Reserve is already a surface level detention basin.

Detention basin/swale

  • Relatively economical to build
  • Good for the environment and biodiversity as it can be planted out
  • Remains wet and full during a rain event and soggy for a few days after the rain.
  • Relatively low construction carbon footprint

Underground detention system

  • Constructed with concrete and cost is significantly higher
  • Cannot plant trees or landscaping over it. Will be mostly grassed.
  • Surface (grass) will dry quicker after a rain event.
  • Very high construction carbon footprint

By increasing the stormwater detention storage, it will reduce the frequency of water entering properties within the catchment.

The area in dark blue below shows the estimated reduction in flooding after a significant rain event.

We cannot guarantee properties will be protected from flooding during all rain events. The aim of the project is to improve flood mitigation during minor and moderate rain events as identified in the stormwater management plan.

*20% AEP (annual exceedance probability) or a storm event that is likely to occur in approximately once in every 5 years.

Most of the open recreational areas around the rugby oval will become useable a few days after a rain event.

The number of days the detention basin will be soggy after a rain event will depend on various factors including the:

  • Amount of rain
  • Duration between rain events
  • Season (Summer or Winter)
  • Dover Street, Blair Athol (Port Adelaide Enfield)
  • Sunningdale Reserve, Fulham Gardens
  • Kenneth Reserve, Findon
  • Princes Street Reserve, Croydon
  • Naval Reserve, Birkenhead, Port Adelaide Enfield
  • Glenside Park, Glenside
  • Patta Avenue, Lightsview

At this stage, the existing playground may remain or may be renewed and moved to a more suitable location if we require this area for stormwater detention.

There are no plans to reduce or move the bitumen car park. But some minor changes to the alignment of the access road may be required to maximise stormwater detention options.

The extent of the works is unknown at this stage however all car park infrastructure will be reinstated.

We are aiming to develop an integrated plan to improve and potentially extend the amenities in the reserve.

This consultation will help us to understand how the community uses Gleneagles Reserve and consider future improvements as part of the stormwater detention work.

Community feedback on this initiative will be reviewed and presented in a report to Council in 2023, which will inform the design of the stormwater detention infrastructure, future recreation improvements and future budget approvals by Council.