CONCERNS about flooding, rising groundwater and urban development in Swan will come under the spotlight at an upcoming forum looking to bring together academics, residents, councillors and government representatives.

Hosted by Swan Communities Environmental Alliance (SCEA), the June 19 ‘What Happens When Urban Meets High Groundwater’ forum aims to explore the environmental, planning and infrastructure challenges associated with development in high-groundwater areas.

SCEA vice-chair and organiser Jan Zeck said the event would provide an opportunity for residents to hear directly from leading experts on lessons from developments already affected by groundwater issues.

“We’re looking for a way forward so that we can actually start addressing this thing rather than convincing people that it’s really a problem,” she said.

The forum comes as the City of Swan prepares to consider its response to a proposal to rezone North Ellenbrook East from rural to urban deferred.

Ms Zeck said concerns about development in high-groundwater areas had been raised repeatedly by residents, community groups and councillors over several years.

She noted that previous proposals for urban development in similar areas had not received council support, although planning processes had continued through other decision-making bodies.

The forum’s keynote speaker will be University of Western Australia professor and ecohydrologist Sally Thompson who has an international reputation in water research.

Ms Zeck said the speaker believed it was important for academics to share their knowledge directly with the community.

The program will also feature local case studies examining impacts experienced by residents as well as presentations on groundwater, hydrology and environmental management.

A question-and-answer session will follow.

Attendees are expected to include academics, councillors, politicians, community organisations, representatives from state agencies and members of the development industry.

Ms Zeck said organisers were seeking constructive discussion rather than confrontation.

“What we’re looking for more than anything else is a constructive outcome that we actually find a way forward,” she said.

Ms Zeck said the forum would help residents understand the broader scale of groundwater-related issues.

“A lot of people who have had concerns about it have been told this is an isolated instance, or this will only happen this year, or if we clean the drains out it won’t be a problem anymore,” Ms Zeck said.

“But to see the expanse of what the problem is, I think, will be very informative for local people.”

The forum will be held at 9am on Friday, June 19 at Caversham Memorial Hall on West Swan Road and is open to community members interested in groundwater management, urban development and the long-term environmental future of the City of Swan.