News

There is a lot happening within the stormwater industry, and a lot that Ocean Protect is doing. Find below a range of news articles that provide you insight into the latest events, activities and work occurring in the stormwater space.

Ocean Protect Sydney office moving

Big News: Our Sydney Office is Moving in 13 Days!

Ocean Protect is thrilled to announce that our Sydney office is moving to a brand-new location on 28th January 2025. Our Sydney team will continue our vital work from a new address: Warehouse 2, 273 Edgar Street Condell Park NSW This move brings us to the same location as our Sydney precast manufacturing facility, which develops key components for some of our cutting-edge technologies like UrbanPond™ and  OceanSave®. By having all our NSW teams at the one site, we are

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Tasmanian Stormwater Symposium hosted by Derwent Estuary Program & Ocean Protect

In November, the Derwent Estuary Program and Ocean Protect proudly hosted the Tasmanian Stormwater Symposium. The symposium brought together over 70 professionals, including engineers, consultants, councils, regulators, and industry leaders, from across Tasmania to discuss and learn about stormwater management in Tasmania. Attendees were treated to an engaging program featuring a diverse range of speakers, both local and interstate, who presented on topics such as plastic pollution, erosion & sediment control, bioretention, what the law says, and the latest updates

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Vortechs® Gross Pollutant Trap INSTALLATION AT BONDI BEACH

Installation of a Vortechs® Gross Pollutant Trap at Bondi Beach in Sydney

These pictures perfectly encapsulate our company mission and the essence of our name – Ocean Protect! In September 2024, we had the privilege of installing a Vortechs® VX2000 Gross Pollutant Trap at one of the most famous beaches in Australia, Bondi in Sydney. Ocean Protect worked with Contractor Urban Renew and Consulting Engineers Civille, along with Waverley Council on the South Bondi Water Quality Improvement Project. Waverley Council are undertaking works to upgrade and expand the capacity of the existing

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Aerial View Installation Regal Plumbing

Aerial Video of StormFilter® Installation at Austral in Western Sydney

Take a look at this stunning birds-eye view of a Stormwater Management StormFilter® installation from our client Regal Plumbing. The project was part of the ongoing expansion of Catholic College, St Anthony of Padua, in Sydney’s Western suburb of Austral. Ocean Protect also supplied 35 OceanGuard® filters to help eliminate pollution from entering the local Kemp’s creek waterway system from stormwater runoff around the school. If you want to learn more about our extensive range of stormwater solutions visit our

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SQIDEP VERIFICATION FOR FILTERRA® BIORETENTION

SQIDEP Verification for Filterra® Bioretention

Ocean Protect is pleased to advise that Stormwater Australia has confirmed compliance with their Stormwater Quality Improvement Device Evaluation Protocol (SQIDEP) for Filterra® bioretention. The SQIDEP verification is based on ‘real world’ performance monitoring of a Filterra® bioretention that has been in operation (so far) in Western Sydney for over six (6) years. The SQIDEP verification certificate is available via the Stormwater Australia website, which outlines the SQIDEP-approved MUSIC modelling methodology for Filterra®. Ocean Protect’s Brad Dalrymple said “Filterra® bioretention

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City of Ipswich Doubles Offset Payment Costs

City of Ipswich Doubles Offset Payment Costs

The City of Ipswich has recently announced that, as of 1st June 2024, they will be doubling their offset payment costs. In a small number of local governments in Australia, stormwater quality offsets provide a mechanism whereby local governments collect voluntary payments from developers in lieu of complying with legislated stormwater quality management objectives on site. These local governments are subsequently responsible for utilising these funds to implement stormwater solutions that achieve a better or equivalent outcome external to the

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ZERO LITTER TO THE BAY BY FOR QUEENSLAND

Zero Litter to the Bay by 2030 for Queensland

This month, the Liberal National Party (LNP) has taken government in Queensland’s state election – winning a majority and soundly beating Labor across the regions. One of their campaigns is the “Zero Litter to the Bay” by 2030 – an initiative developed with Ocean Protect’s Brad Dalrymple, and based on the Zero Litter to Ocean Policy developed by Ocean Protect and Stormwater NSW. The campaign has already had widespread media attention, such as the Sky News report here. Ocean Protect’s

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STORMWATER FUNDAMENTALS SERIES

2025 Stormwater Fundamentals Webinar Series

Ocean Protect are excited to announce that the ‘Stormwater Fundamentals’ series will continue in 2025! Each month during 2025, we are hosting free online sessions focussed on the fundamentals of urban stormwater design, with presentations and an interactive Q&A with attendees. This series follows on from the amazing feedback from the first series held this year. Sessions will be presented by industry experts from eWater Group, Quilty Engineering Hub, Optimal Stormwater Pty Ltd and Ocean Protect. Registrants can attend any,

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urbanpond modules

Introducing Our Newest Product: UrbanPond™

Ocean Protect are excited to launch UrbanPond™ – a modular precast concrete underground storage system. It can be placed under roadways, parking lots and landscape areas, in various shapes, sizes and depths, taking-up zero land-space. UrbanPond™ is a trafficable precast concrete below ground storage system for detention and retention purposes, replacing above ground basins. It has a high void ratio to maximise volume, and its robust precast form allows systems to be buried deeper without the need for specialised backfill, increased

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Western Sydney Pollution Survey

Western Sydney Pollution Survey Commences with Blacktown City Council

Blacktown City Council and Ocean Protect have recently started a pollution survey in a commercial area in Western Sydney. During this survey, Blacktown City Council will be conducting a surface litter count, whilst Ocean Protect will be collecting and sorting through pollution captured by eight (8) OceanGuard’s at the site. This study will help inform engagement and educational work Blacktown City Council are doing in the litter and pollution space, whilst also providing a greater insight into the differences between

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Tasmanian Stormwater Symposium

Date: 20th November 2024 Time: 8:30am – 5pm (AEDT) Location: The Hotel Grand Chancellor – Hobart Register: Tickets available here You’re invited to the Tasmanian Stormwater Symposium, where industry experts will share lessons learnt from the ‘real world’ and discuss ways to improve stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, and ‘water sensitive’ urban areas. Expect compelling presentations from local and inter-state experts, extended Q&A sessions, and dynamic panel discussions aimed at driving actionable solutions and innovative ideas. This symposium is ideal

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OceanSave® Installation at Stockland’s Gables Town Centre Sydney

Installing an OceanSave® amid bright blue skies at Sydney’s latest neighbourhood centre, Stockland’s Gables Town Centre. In August 2024, Ocean Protect installed a custom OceanSave® system with a built-in oil baffle and two outlets, one going out to a lake and the other to a bioretention basin. We worked with Consultant Enspire Solutions, in conjunction with Ken Hale Plumbing and builder Mainbrace constructions, who are involved in the construction of Stockland’s latest project Gables Town Centre; a new concept neighbourhood

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Introducing SQIDEP Verified StormFilter NPSorb Technology

Ocean Protect, a stormwater filter media technology leader dedicated to ongoing improvement, is excited to unveil our newest advancement for the Australian stormwater industry: the StormFilter® NPSorb technology. The SQIDEP verified, StormFilter® is an innovative stormwater treatment system that includes one or more structures with rechargeable, media-filled cartridges. These cartridges are designed to capture particulates and adsorb pollutants from stormwater runoff. Over the past 21 years, Ocean Protect has installed more than 38,000 StormFilter® cartridges across Australia, working to safeguard

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Cleaning a Conventional Bioretention System without a Gross Pollutant Trap

Watch Ocean Protect’s Brad Dalrymple, clean-up around a conventional bioretention system in Logan Reserve, Queensland. The bioretention system doesn’t have any pre-treatment, like a gross pollutant trap. As a result, litter is throughout the bioretention. This video highlights the importance of ‘at source’ pollution reduction and/or pre-treatment of stormwater. To find out more about how Ocean Protect can help you reduce stormwater pollution loads, please contact us. https://youtu.be/KEr8WUs2QNE

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OceanGuard® – Note on application

Ocean Protect’s OceanGuard® technology is a gully pit basket designed to fit within new and existing stormwater pits targeting pollution in stormwater runoff.  OceanGuard® can be applied as a stand-alone technology, or upstream of other stormwater treatment assets available from Ocean Protect (e.g. StormFilter®, Jellyfish®, Filterra® bioretention) and non-proprietary stormwater treatment assets (e.g. conventional bioretention, wetlands). Stormwater professionals should note, however, that Ocean Protect is not permitted to supply OceanGuard® technologies to provide pre-treatment to proprietary stormwater treatment assets that

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Congratulations Daniel Rider

On 25th July 2024, the Queensland stormwater community gathered to celebrate the industry at the annual Stormwater Queensland Awards for Excellence. Ocean Protect are thrilled to announce that Daniel Rider was awarded Highly Commended at the in the Early Professional of the Year category. Ocean Protect were also proud to be Silver Sponsor for the event. Congratulations Daniel and thank you to everyone at Stormwater Queensland.

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OceanSave™ Installation at Dodges Ferry, Tasmania

Stunning views for this OceanSave™ installation at Dodges Ferry, on the outskirts of Hobart, Tasmania. The client, Sorell Council, installed an OceanSave™ – 1612 with diversion box, to help keep this pristine bay free from pollutants. The OceanSave™ is a full capture, high-capacity gross pollutant trap designed to remove particles greater than 1mm. It has an innovative screen design and specially designed internal configuration allowing higher flows than similar technologies, whilst ensuring floatables, settleable solids and neutrally buoyant pollutants are

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How to improve your bioretention project

Ocean Protect’s Brad Dalrymple recently inspected the Filterra® bioretention system at Keeley Park, Clayton South, Victoria in June 2024. Ocean Protect installed the Filterra® bioretention for City of Kingston in January 2023. Council originally installed a (170m2) traditional bioretention system in 2016 to act as a combined retarding basin, however it didn’t perform as intended. When it needed replacing, a smaller (51m2) Filterra® bioretention system was installed. This approach provided the extra area needed to construct a separate flood storage

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Inspection of Filterra® bioretention at Silverdale, Western Sydney, NSW

In this video, Ocean Protect’s Harout Tcherkezian inspects one of the Filterra® bioretention systems at Silverdale in Western Sydney, NSW. This Filterra® bioretention system has a total filter area of 530m2 and is one of two that was installed in June 2020 (over 4 years ago). It is five times smaller than the conventional bioretention system that was originally proposed for the site, which, in addition to being more expensive, would have resulted in the removal of part of the adjacent

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Should you use rock or pebbles as mulch in bioretention systems?

In this video, Ocean Protect’s Brad Dalrymple discusses the perils of using rock or pebbles as ‘mulch’ for bioretention systems – at a recently constructed bioretention system in Virginia, South Australia. As Brad describes, whilst mulch is applied for Filterra® bioretention systems, Ocean Protect definitely do not use rocks or pebbles for mulch. To find out more about Filterra®, please visit our the Filterra® webpage or contact us. https://youtu.be/WrHZzvud3go?feature=shared

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Filterra® bioretention in action at Silverdale, Western Sydney, NSW

In this video, Ocean Protect’s Michael Wicks inspects one of the Filterra® bioretention systems at Silverdale in Western Sydney, NSW – shortly after a significant rainfall event within the catchment. This Filterra® bioretention system has a total filter area of 530m2 and is one of two that was installed in June 2020, over 4 years ago. Mike shows the incoming flows from the rainfall event, the system draining, and the OceanGuard gully pit insert installed within one of the overflow pits. To

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Welcome New Director Harout Tcherkezian

In recent months, Ocean Protect has been undergoing some exciting new changes. One such change is the confirmation of a new company Director. We would like to officially announce the appointment of Harout Tcherkezian as a Director for Ocean Protect. Harout is the General Manager for NSW and ACT and a long-standing Ocean Protect team member, celebrating 13 years with the company this month. He is also a qualified engineer and has over 25 years industry experience. Harout’s wealth of experience and proven

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Harout and Lachlan check out Filterra® Bioretention at Silverdale, Western Sydney

This month Ocean Protect’s Harout Tcherkezian and Lachlan Shackcloth-Bertinetti inspected one of the Filterra bioretention systems at Silverdale in Western Sydney, NSW.  This Filterra bioretention system has a total filter area of 260m2 and is one of two that was installed in June 2020, nearly 4 years ago. Watch the video to see how the Filterra bioretention is thriving. To find out more about Filterra visit the product page on our website or contact us.https://youtu.be/yWlmAnlSMbs

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Inspection of Filterra® Bioretention at Ingleburn, Western Sydney, NSW

In this video, Ocean Protect’s Lachlan Shackcloth-Bertinetti inspects the Filterra bioretention system at Ingleburn in Western Sydney, NSW. This was a unique project with the Filterra sitting directly above, and discharging directly to, a large detention tank. This Filterra bioretention system has a total filter area of 290m2 and was installed over a year ago, in May 2023. To find out more about Filterra visit here or contact us.

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Ocean sydney by RISS Productions

Ocean Protect at Franc.Sydney 2024

Ocean Protect were proud to be a Gold Sponsor of this year’s franc.sydney event, powered by Stormwater NSW. The theme for the 2024 Conference was ‘Charting the Future from Past Lessons,’ which provided a platform for insightful discussions and knowledge exchange. We were privileged to have several team members actively contribute through presentations and panel discussions. Ocean Protect’s CEO, Michael Wicks, led the Gold Sponsor Address with a focus on franc discussions on the future. He highlighted that current stormwater

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OceanSave Installation Tamar River Tasmania

OceanSave installation to help protect Tamar River

Another fantastic OceanSave installation to help better protect our oceans and waterways. This OceanSave OS1618 was installed last week – as part of the Legana Park subdivision, to help West Tamar Council better protect the Tamar River in Tasmania.  A very big thank you to 6ty° Architecture Surveying Engineering, Sheriff Civil, and Tas Concrete Products. The OceanSave is a vortex type engineered stormwater treatment asset designed to remove litter, gross pollutants, sediment and associated pollutants from stormwater runoff as either

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Official Release of the WSUD Maintenance Compliance Framework

Ocean Protect are excited to announce the official release of the consultation draft of the WSUD Maintenance Compliance Framework! The Framework is a package of information, resources, and tools that councils across Australia can use to implement WSUD maintenance compliance programs. A WSUD maintenance compliance program will help councils and private asset owners meet their legal maintenance requirements for the WSUD systems they own and manage. The Framework is now open for consultation over the next 4 months, until Monday

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Dinner at the Captain’s Table

Last month, Ocean Protect were proud sponsor of the Sea Shepherd Australia’s “Dinner at the Captain’s Table”. The event was held on board the Sea Shepherd Allankay vessel – fresh from defending wildlife in the Southern Ocean and docked in Sydney Harbour for the evening.  Guests heard inspiring speeches from Captain Peter Hammarstedt (Sea Shepherd Global Director of Campaigns), Jeff Hansen (Sea Shepherd Australia Managing Director) and Philip Wollen OAM, and helped raise funds for Sea Shepherd.

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Hydraulic Conductivity Test at Keeley Park, Clayton South, Victoria

Lily Dorraj, our Specification Engineer, is back at Keeley Park in Clayton South, Victoria, for a maintenance of our Filterra® biofiltration system, helps to protect downstream waterways from stormwater pollution. During this maintenance session, our dedicated team performed a hydraulic conductivity test on this high flow bioretention system to ensure the treatable flow rate of this media is optimal and the integrity of the system is up to standard.  If you’d like to know more, please contact us.

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AWA Water E-Journal paper published for StormFilter PFAS technology

The study “Per and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) removal by a radial flow cartridge system” was recently published in the Australian Water Association Water e-Journal. The paper was written by Ocean Protect’s Brad Dalrymple, Michael Wicks, Blake Allingham and Warren Jones and University of NSW’s Dr James McDonald. It describes the results of two field-scale studies of the StormFilter PFAS – Ocean Protect’s latest innovation, which applies our proven StormFilter technology with a media blend specifically developed to remove PFAS from

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Stormwater Victoria Tour of Keeley Park, Clayton South, Victoria

Earlier this month, over 50 stormwater professionals visited Keeley Park, Clayton South, Victoria – as part of a Stormwater Victoria technical tour.  The tour  was hosted by Alan West, Principal Environment Officer from the City of Kingston, and a few Ocean Protect team members, and focussed on the Filterra biofiltration system and Gross Pollutant Traps. Some photos of the tour are given below. A very big thank you to Alan West for sharing his insights and expertise, and to Stormwater

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SQIDEP Verification for OceanGuard, StormFilter & Jellyfish

Ocean Protect is pleased to advise that Stormwater Australia has confirmed compliance with their Stormwater Quality Improvement Device Evaluation Protocol (SQIDEP) for three (3) of our stormwater treatment technologies – OceanGuard, StormFilter and Jellyfish. The SQIDEP verification certificate for each of these technologies is available via the Stormwater Australia website.  Each of the verification statements outline the SQIDEP approved MUSIC modelling methodology for each technology (describing approved pollution removal and treatment flow rates). Please contact us if you have any

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Stormwater Fundamentals Series in 2024

In collaboration with Quilty Engineering Hub, Ocean Protect are excited to launch the first ‘Stormwater Fundamentals’ series in 2024 – free, ‘on-line’ sessions, focussing on the fundamentals of urban stormwater design. What is it ? Twelve (12) separate knowledge sharing sessions (at zero cost) Each of the sessions focusses on a fundamental part of urban stormwater design, with presentations, and interactive Q&A and discussions with attendees All sessions will be provided ‘on-line’ (via Zoom) ‘live’ (with recordings and training material

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What plants to use in Filterra bioretention systems ?

In this video, Ocean Protect’s Brad Dalrymple talks about enhancing the biology of bioretention systems. This video was at Bargara (east of Bundaberg in Queensland) at one of three (3) Filterra bioretention installations – to help answer the question we often get asked “what plants do we recommend for Filterra bioretention systems?”.  In short, Ocean Protect recommend a wide range of plant species are appropriate and recommended, and we typically want to maximise diversity. Table A-1 of the report A review

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Blue Solutions Summit Tickets now available

Tickets are now available for the Blue Solutions Summit – to be held on 20th March 2024 in Sydney, as part of the Ocean Lovers Festival. The Summit is a business, industry and science event with a focus on business collaborations with government and science to accelerate solutions for our environment, showcasing ocean aware best practice, and delivering inspiration to act for people, planet and profit. Ocean Protect’s Brad Dalrymple will be hosting the “Ocean Plastic and Pollution” session. For

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