AU2008201960A1

AU2008201960A1 - Green gully

Info

Publication number: AU2008201960A1
Application number: AU2008201960A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Phillip Anthony Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-03
Filing date: 2008-05-02
Publication date: 2009-11-19
Anticipated expiration: 2028-05-02
Also published as: AU2008201960B2

Description

GREEN GULLY FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to storm water drains and drainage. 5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Storm water from roads is directed to gutters and passes through storm water drains. A road gully drainage unit that directs storm water from the roadways into a storm water drainage system is described in Australian Patent No. 747628. The 10 road gully drainage unit efficiently directs water from the gutter and roadways to avoid flooding and minimize the risk of accidents caused by the build up of water on the roads and in the gutters. The water passing through the storm water drains is discharged from outlets into waterways. The primary aim of the road gully drains is to remove storm water as quickly and effectively as possible. 15 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an alterative gully drainage unit to divert water for reuse. 20 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the onset of drought, water is becoming regarded as a valuable resource. With this in mind, the present invention was developed from taking a different approach to the drainage of storm water. The present invention was developed from the concept of using storm water to irrigate plants and trees.

-2 In one aspect the present invention broadly resides in a road gully drainage unit for directing water from a road gutter including a channel member: a kerb member extending along one side of the channel member; 5 a gully inlet formed within the kerb member and adjacent the channel member, said gully inlet directs water into a storm water drain; a diverter channel formed within a side wall of the gully inlet before the storm water drain; and filter means associated with the diverter channel to substantially prevent 10 debris from entering the diverter channel; wherein the diverter channel provides an alternative passageway for the water. Preferably the filter means includes a gully grate located at or adjacent an opening of the diverter channel. Preferably, a removable grill is positioned behind the gully grate to alter the 15 size of apertures of the gully grate. More preferably, the grill has fan-like blades to direct water into the diverter channel. Alternatively or in combination, the fiflter means includes an elongate and substantially V-shaped base wall to collect and passage debris. The substantially V shaped base wall is preferably located adjacent the channel member. 20 The gully inlet preferably is an elongate opening. A runnel member is preferably located within the gully inlet wherein the runnel member is adapted to direct water to the storm water drain or diverter channel. The runnel member preferably has an inclined base wall that slopes downwards toward the storm water drain or diverter channel. Preferably, the base wall has a 25 substantially V-shaped portion for collecting and passaging debris.

Preferably, a side of the substantially V-shaped portion supports one side edge of the gully grate and the side wall of the gully inlet supports an opposed side edge of the gully grate. The channel member may have a channel opening providing an access to the 5 storm water drain, Alternatively the kerb member may have a kerb opening providing an access to the storm water drain. Preferably there is a removable grate positionable over the kerb or channel opening. In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in an irrigation unit for collecting and directing water including 10 an inner wall defining an internal space and an outer wall surrounding the inner wall; an irrigation channel formed by the spacing between the walls; the irrigation channel has a floor with one or more apertures to allow water to drain from the irrigation channel; 15 an irrigation inlet formed in the outer wall to allow water to enter the irrigation channel; an irrigation outlet formed in the outer wall to allow water to discharge from the irrigation channel; and a cover locatable over the irrigation channel. 20 The internal space is preferably cavity which may be filled with soil and used to grow a plant. Where the internal space is used to grow a plant, a removable basket is preferably used within the space to restrict the growth of plant roots. The basket preferably has a plurality of openings to allow water to pass through a basket wall.

-4 Preferably, the basket has one or more handles for enabling the basket to be lifted from the space. The irrigation outlet is relatively higher compared with the irrigation inlet in the outer walL 5 Preferably, a transfer pipe is connected to the irrigation outlet. More preferably a transfer pipe is connected to an aperture in the floor. The transfer pipe preferably is adapted to irrigate the ground surrounding the irrigation unit. Preferably, the transfer pipe has perforations that allow water in the transfer pipe to drain into the ground adjacent the transfer pipe. 10 There is preferably a discharge outlet formed in the inner wall for discharging water from the internal space and preferably to a storm water drain. More preferably, the discharge outlet is located at a higher position relative to the irrigation inlet and irrigation outlet. An irrigation access opening to allow access to the irrigation channel is 15 preferably located adjacent the irrigation inlet. In one embodiment of the present invention, the cover is fixed with the inner and outer walls and serves as a top wall covering the internal space and the inner and outer walls. In another embodiment of the present invention, the cover is removable to 20 provide access to the irrigation channel. In one form the cover is a grate. The grate may be positioned on top of the inner and outer walls. Alternatively, the grate may be positioned at an intermediate level between a base section and the top of the inner and outer walls. The cover preferably has one or more flush ports to enable cleaning of debris 25 collected in the irrigation channel.

-5 The cover is preferably adapted to receive a probe that measures the depth of the water in the irrigation channel. More preferably, the cover has a cavity formed above the irrigation channel and adapted to accommodate a dipstick. The cavity may also accommodate a pH tester. 5 The cover in one embodiment has one or more cover Inlets to allow water to enter the irrigation channel. With this embodiment, the cover preferably has an inclined surface to allow water to flow towards the one or more cover inlets. More preferably, the inclined surface slopes from a perimeter of the cover downwardly towards the one or more cover inlets. A grate is preferably positioned over each of 10 the one or more cover inlets. In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a drainage assembly including a road gully drainage unit as described above operatively connected to an irrigation unit as described above. The irrigation inlet preferably is connected to the diverter channel of the road 15 gully drainage unit. The irrigation inlet may have a direct connection with the diverter channel. Alternatively, there may be a length of pipe between the irrigation inlet and the diverter channel. In one form, there is a gully access opening preferably located in the side wall of the gully inlet and adjacent the diverter channel. The gully access enables access 20 to the irrigation channel for cleaning and maintenance purposes. Preferably a removable plate is located over the gully access opening. In one form the road gully drainage unit and the irrigation unit of the drainage assembly are manufactured separately and connected during installation. Alternatively, a one piece drainage assembly can be manufactured with a road gully 25 drainage section and an irrigation section. The road gully drainage section -6 preferably has the features of the road gully drainage unit mentioned above and the irrigation section has the features of the irrigation unit mentioned above. In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a water well unit including 5 one or more walls forming a reservoir for collecting water; a cover locatable over the reservoir, the cover has one or more cover inlets allowing water to enter the reservoir; and one or more apertures in the one or more walls wherein the one or more apertures allow water to enter or discharge from the reservoir. 10 The one or more walls preferably include side walls and a base wall. The one or more apertures preferably include a well inlet in a side wall. Preferably, the one or more apertures include a well outlet that is formed in one of the side walls. The cover preferably is removable. The features of the cover and transfer 15 pipe as described above apply to this aspect of the invention. The water well is preferably operatively connected to a road gully drainage unit as described above, a drainage assembly as described above or an irrigation unit as described above. In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a gully drainage 20 system including any combination of one or more road gully drainage units as described above, irrigation units as described above and water well units as described above; and operatively connected through a plurality of pipes wherein water is diverted for irrigation or local collection purposes.

-7 In another aspect the invention broadly resides in a gully drainage system including any combination of one or more road gully drainage units as described above; one or more irrigation units as described above; and 5 one or more water well units as described above; wherein the units are operatively connected through a plurality of pipes and water is diverted for irrigation or local collection purposes. Preferably, the gully drainage system includes one or more water wells operatively connected to the road gully drainage unit and the irrigation unit. 10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: 15 Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a road gully drainage unit of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the road gully drainage unit of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the road gully drainage unit of Figure 1 connected to an irrigation unit of the present invention; 20 Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of the road gully drainage unit connected to an irrigation unit; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of a removable basket enclosing a plant for positioning within an irrigation unit; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of a one piece drainage assembly; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the drainage assembly shown in Figure 6 showing water in the irrigation channel; Figure 8 is a part cross-sectional view of the drainage assembly of Figure 6 showing the storm water drain beneath the road gully drainage unit; 5 Figure 9 is a diagrammatic top view of a cover of a another embodiment of the irrigation unit; Figure 10 is a top view of the cover shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the irrigation unit shown in Figure 9; and Figure 11 is a schematic view of a gully drainage system showing different 10 road gully drainage assemblies connected to irrigation units. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a road gully drainage unit 10 that is connected to an irrigation unit 12 to form a drainage assembly 14. The road 15 gully drainage unit 10 is installed next to a road 15 and is connected to a storm water drain that is not shown in the figures. The irrigation unit 12 is installed substantially beneath the surface of the ground 17. The road gully drainage unit 10 has a channel portion 18 that abuts the road 15 and a kerb portion 20 that extends along one side of the channel portion 18. The 20 channel portion 18 has a channel opening 22 for allowing storm water from the road 15 to flow into the storm water drain that is located below the channel opening 22. A removable channel grate 24 iS placed over the channel opening 22. There is an elongate gully inlet 26 formed within the kerb portion 20 and located adjacent the channel portion 18. A diverter channel 28 is formed within a 25 side wall 30 of the gully inlet 26. The opening 32 of the diverter channel 28 is -9 covered by a gully grate 34. A removable grille, not shown in the figures, can be positioned behind the gully grate 34 to alter the size of the apertures of the gully grate 34 and therefore control the amount of water that enters the diverter channel 28, The removable grille can also have fan-like blades that direct water into the 5 diverter channel 28. A runnel 36 located within the gully inlet 26 is formed to direct water to the storm water drain or the diverter channel 28. The runnel 36 has an inclined base wall 35 that slopes downwards towards the storm water drain. The base wall 35 of the runnel 36 has an elongate and substantially V-shaped portion 38 that is located 10 next to the channel portion 18. The side of the substantially V-shaped portion 38, near the diverter channel opening 32, supports one side edge of the gully grate 34 and the side wall 30 of the gully inlet 26 supports the opposed side edge of the gully grate 34. Storm water from the road 15 is directed by the channel portion 18 to enter 15 the gully inlet 26. The storm water is then directed by the inclined base wall of the runnel 36 towards the diverter channel opening 32. Floatable litter and debris in the storm water are substantially trapped in the V-shaped portion 38 of the runnel 36 and therefore removed from the water before the water enters the diverter channel 28. The gully grate 34 also serves as a filter to reduce the amount of debris entering the 20 diverter channel 28. Storm water can flow into the diverter channel 28 as well as the storm water drain that is located downstream from the diverter channel 28. The diverter channel 28 provides an alternate pathway for the storm water that has entered the gully inlet 26 from the road 15. The storm water that enters the diverter channel 28 flows to the 25 irrigation unit 12 of the drainage assembly 14, - 10 The irrigation unit 12 has an inner wall 40 and an outer wall 42 that are spaced from each other to form an irrigation channel 44. The inner wall 40 defines a space 45 that is surrounded by the irrigation channel 44. There is an irrigation inlet 46 and an irrigation outlet 48 formed in the outer wall 42. The floor 50 of the 5 irrigation channel 44 has a number of apertures 52 that open into the ground surrounding the irrigation channel 44. A removable top wall 54 is located over the irrigation channel 44 and positioned between the floor 50 and the top of the inner 40 and outer 42 walls. The removable top wall 54 allows access to the irrigation channel 44 for cleaning purposes. 10 The road gully drainage unit 10 and the irrigation unit 12 of the drainage assembly 14 shown in Figure 3 are separately manufactured and connected during installation. The road gully drainage unit 10 is directly connected to the irrigation unit 12 by aligning the diverter channel 28 with the irrigation inlet 46. Storm water from the road gully drainage unit 10 enters the irrigation channel 15 44 through the irrigation inlet 46. The storm water drains from the Irrigation channel 44 into the ground surrounding the irrigation channel 44 through the apertures 52 of the floor 50. A plant 55 can be grown in the space 45 and the storm water used to irrigate the plant 55. During heavy rains, the water in the irrigation channel 44 may rise to a level 20 where water discharges through the irrigation outlet 48. A transfer pipe 56 is connected to the irrigation outlet 48. The transfer pipe 56 has perforations that allow water in the transfer pipe 56 to drain into the ground near the transfer pipe 56. The transfer pipe 56 can be installed to reach areas away from the drainage assembly 14.

With respect to Figure 4 there is shown another embodiment of the road gully drainage unit 70 connected to an Irrigation unit 72. The road gully drainage unit 70 and the irrigation unit 72 are separately manufactured and connected during installation to form of the drainage assembly 74, 5 The road gully drainage unit 70 has a channel portion 76 that abuts the road 77 and a kerb portion 78 that extends along one side of the channel portion 76, The kerb portion 78 has a kerb opening 80 for allowing storm water to flow into a storm water drain (not shown in the figure) that is located below the road gully drainage unit 70. A removable kerb grate, not shown in the figure, can be placed over the 10 kerb opening 80. Different council authorities have storm water drainage in different positions relative to the road way. Some council authorities have the storm water drainage running below the gutter while other council authorities have the storm water drainage beneath the footpath. There is an elongate gully inlet 82 formed within the kerb portion 78 and 15 located adjacent the channel portion 76. A diverter channel 84 is formed within a side wall 86 of the gully inlet 82. The opening 88 of the diverter channel 84 is covered by a gully grate 90. A runnel 92 located within the gully inlet 82 is formed to direct water towards the storm water drain. The runnel 92 has an inclined base wall that slopes 20 downwards toward the storm water drain or diverter channel 84. The base wall of the runnel 92 has an elongate and substantially V-shaped portion 94 that is located next to the channel portion 76. The irrigation unit 72 has an inner wall 100 and an outer wall 102 that are spaced apart from one another to form an irrigation channel 104. The inner wall 100 25 defines a space 105 that is surrounded by the irrigation channel 104. There is an -12 irrigation inlet 106 and an irrigation outlet 108 formed in the outer wall 102. A discharge outlet (not shown in the figure) located below the irrigation inlet 106 can be formed in the inner wall 100. The floor 110 of the irrigation channel 104 has a number of apertures 112 that open into the ground surrounding the irrigation channel 5 104. A top wall 114 is integrally formed with the inner 100 and outer 102 wall and forms a permanent cover that is located over the irrigation channel 104. Storm water from the road 77 Is directed by the channel portion 76 to enter the gully inlet 82. The storm water is then directed by the inclined base wall of the runnel 92 towards the diverter channel opening 84. Floatable litter and debris in the 10 storm water are substantially trapped in the V-shaped portion 94 of the runnel 92 or substantially filtered from the storm water by the gully grate 90 before the water enters the diverter channel 84. If there is heavy rain, storm water will flow into the diverter channel 84 as well as the storm water drain that is located downstream from the diverter channel 84. 15 The storm water that enters the diverter channel 84 flows to the irrigation unit 72 through the irrigation inlet 106 that is directly abutting and aligned with the diverter channei84. The storm water in the irrigation channel 104 drains into the ground surrounding the irrigation channel 104 through the apertures 112 in the floor 110 of 20 the irrigation channel 104. The storm water irrigates a plant 115 that is grown in the space 105. Sufficient water may collect in the irrigation channel 104 as a result of heavy rains whereby water starts to discharge through the irrigation outlet 108. A transfer-pipe 116 (shown in phantom) can be connected to the irrigation outlet 108 and extended to reach areas away from the drainage assembly 74. The transfer 25 pipe 116 has perforations to allow storm water passing through the transfer pipe 116 -13 to irrigate the ground in the vicinity of the transfer pipe 116. A discharge outlet (not shown in the figure) allows the storm water to be redirected back to the storm water drain if there is a build up of water in the irrigation channel 104. With reference to Figure 5, there is shown a plant 115 growing in a basket 5 118. The basket 118 can be positioned and removed from the space 105 in the irrigation unit 72. The basket 118 has handles 120 for enabling the basket 118 to be lifted from the space 105. The basket 118 has basket openings 122 to allow water to pass through the wall 123 of the basket 118. The wall 123 of the basket restricts the growth of plant roots and reduces the likelihood of damage caused by the plant roots 10 growing into building structures or pavements. The ability to restrict the growth of plant roots provides an advantage in CBD areas where it is important to control the spread of plant roots. With reference to Figures 6 to 8, there is shown a one piece drainage assembly 140 that has a road gully drainage section 142 integrally formed with an 15 irrigation section 144. The road gully drainage section142 has similar features to the road gully drainage unit 70 mentioned above, and the irrigation section 144 has similar features to the irrigation unit 72 mentioned above. The drainage assembly 140 is installed near a storm water drain 145 as shown in Figure 8. The road gully drainage section 142 has a channel portion 146 that abuts a 20 road 147, a kerb portion 148 extending along one side of the channel portion 146, and an elongate gully inlet 152 formed within the kerb portion 148 and adjacent to the channel portion 146. A diverter channel 154 formed within a side wall 156 of the gully inlet 152 provides an alternate pathway for storm water to exit from the road gully drainage section 142. There is a gully access opening 157 located in the side 25 wall 156 of the gully inlet 152 and adjacent the diverter channel 154. A removable - 14 plate 160 is located over the gully access opening 157. The gully access opening 157 enables access to the irrigation channel 168 for cleaning and maintenance purposes. The irrigation section 144 has an inner wall 162 and an outer wall 164 that are 5 spaced apart from each other to form an irrigation channel 168. A top wall 169 is integrally formed with the inner 162 and outer 164 walls and provides a permanent cover over the irrigation channel 168. The inner wall 162 defines a space 170 where a plant 171 is grown. The space 170 is surrounded by the irrigation channel 168. There is an irrigation access opening located adjacent the irrigation inlet 155. 10 The irrigation access opening is continuous with the gully access opening 157 and the removable plate 160 is removed when the irrigation channel 168 needs to be cleaned or maintained. There is also an opening 172 formed in the top wall 169 and located above the irrigation channel 168. The opening 172 functions as a flush port that enables 15 debris collected in the irrigation channel 168 to be removed. The opening 172 is also designed to accommodate probes such as a water level dipstick and a pH tester. The dipstick is used to measure the water level in the irrigation channel 168 and the pH tester measures the acidity of the soil near the irrigation channel 86. 20 The one piece drainage assembly 140 operates in a similar way to the drainage assembly 74 described above. With reference to Figures 9 to 11, there is shown another irrigation unit 200 that surrounds and irrigates a nearby tree 201. The irrigation unit 200 has an inner wall 202 and an outer wall 204. The inner wall 202 is spaced apart from the outer 25 wall 204 to form an irrigation channel 206. The irrigation channel 206 surrounds a space 208 that is formed by the inner wall 202. The tree 201 is planted in the space 208. The irrigation channel 206 has a floor 210 with apertures to allow water to drain from the irrigation channel 206. A removable cover 212 is located over the irrigation channel 206. There are 5 several cover inlets 214 that allow water to enter the irrigation channel 206. The cover 212 has a number of inclined surfaces 215, 216, 217 and 218 that slope from the perimeter of the cover downwardly towards the cover inlets 214. Water from rains that fall onto the inclined surfaces 215, 216, 217 and 218 is directed to flow toward the cover inlets 214 and into the irrigation channel 206. Each cover inlet 214 10 has a grate 219 located over the cover inlet 214, The cover 212 may also have one or more flush ports that are not shown in the Figure to allow debris collected in the irrigation channel 206 to be removed. The cover 212 may also have an opening (not shown in the Figures) that is positioned above the irrigation channel 206, that can accommodate a dipstick for measuring the depth of the water in the irrigation 15 channel 206. The opening can be formed to allow a pH tester to be inserted into the opening and reach the soil in the ground near the irrigation channel 206. The water from rains that enter the irrigation channel 206 drains into the ground through the apertures in the floor 210 and irrigates the nearby tree 201. Transfer pipes 220 are connected to the apertures in the floor 210 and the transfer 20 pipes 220 can be extended to areas away from the irrigation unit 200. The transfer pipes 220 have perforations that allow water to drain from the transfer pipes 220 and irrigate the ground near the transfer pipes 220. Rain or storm water can also be collected in a water well. The water well (not shown in the figures) has four side walls and a base wall that form a reservoir. 25 There is a well inlet in one side wall, a well outlet in another side wall and several - 16 openings in the base wall. A removable cover is positioned over the reservoir. The cover has one or more cover inlets that allow water to enter the reservoir. The cover has a number of inclined surfaces that slope downwardly towards the cover inlets, The inclination of the surfaces directs rain water that falls on the cover to enter the 5 cover inlets. A grate is positioned over each cover inlet to reduce the amount of floatable litter or debris from entering the reservoir. Water enters the reservoir through the cover Inlets during rain falls. Alternatively, water can enter the reservoir through the well inlet that is connected to either a road gully drainage unit as described above or a drainage assembly as 10 described above or a second irrigation unit as described above. The water that is collected in the reservoir is used to irrigate plants. Transfer pipes can be connected to the openings in the base wall, the well outlet or both. These transfer pipes carry water to irrigate plants near the transfer pipes. With respect to Figure 12 there is shown an irrigation system 300 that is used 15 to irrigate plants in a park. The irrigation system 300 includes two different drainage assemblies 302 and 304 that are operatively connected to a number of irrigation units 308 by pipes 310. The drainage assemblies 302, 304 and irrigation units 308 are positioned in the park in an arrangement that allows water to flow through the irrigation system 300 from a relatively high position to a relatively lower position. In 20 the arrangement shown in Figure 12, the tree 312 In the middle of the park is at the lowest ground level in the park and the area in the vicinity of the tree receives drained water. Storm water from the road 313 is directed into the drainage assembly 302 or 304 by the channel portions 314, 316. Storm water can flow into a nearby storm 25 water drain or be diverted into the irrigation unit of each of the drainage assemblies -17 302 or 304. The drainage assembly 302 and 304 operate in a similar way to the drainage assembly described above. The storm water flows through the pipes 310 from the drainage assemblies 302 or 304 towards the irrigation units 308. The storm water can therefore be used to irrigate each plant that is grown in the space formed 5 by the inner wall of the irrigation units. Transfer pipes that are not shown in the Figure can be connected either to the irrigation outlets of the irrigation units, or to the apertures in the floor of the irrigation channel, These transfer pipes form a network of pipes below the surface of the ground and transport storm water from the drainage assembly 302, 304 or irrigation unit 308 to surrounding plants like the tree 312 in the 10 middle of the park. The drainage assembly 306 is a previously installed road gully drainage unit that has been reconditioned to accommodate an irrigation unit. A diverter channel is formed in the previously installed road gully drainage unit by drilling a passageway in a side wall of the unit. The irrigation inlet of an irrigation unit is then connected to the 15 diverter channel of the reconditioned road gully drainage unit. ADVANTAGES An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the road gully drainage unit is that it has a diverter channel to divert storm water from the roadways for the purpose 20 of watering plants with the storm water. Another advantage of the road gully drainage unit includes having either a gully grate or a runnel with a substantially V-shaped base wall for filtering litter from the storm water before the storm water enters the diverter channel.

- 18 An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the irrigation unit includes providing a pathway for the flow of storm water in order to irrigate a plant grown in the vicinity of the irrigation unit. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the irrigation unit includes 5 providing a restricted area within the irrigation unit to grow a plant. This is useful in CBD areas where the growth of plant roots must be controlled in order to prevent damage to paved areas. An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the irrigation system includes providing a self watering system for irrigating an area like a park utilizing storm water 10 from roadways. VARIATIONS It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within 15 the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and composingg", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. 20

Claims

1. A road gully drainage unit for directing water from a road gutter including 5 a channel member; a kerb member extending along one side of the channel member; a gully inlet formed within the kerb member and adjacent the channel member, said gully inlet directs water into a storm water drain; a diverter channel formed within a side wall of the gully inlet before the storm 10 water drain; and filter means associated with the diverter channel to substantially prevent debris from entering the diverter channel; wherein the diverter channel provides an alternative passageway for the water. 15 2. A road gully drainage unit for directing water from a road gutter as claimed in claim 1 wherein filter means includes a gully grate located at or adjacent an opening of the diverter channel.

3. A road gully drainage unit for directing water from a road gutter as claimed in 20 claim 2 wherein a removable grill is positioned behind the gully grate to alter the size of apertures of the gully grate.

4. A road gully drainage unit for directing water from a road gutter as claimed in claim 2 wherein a removable grill is positioned behind the gully grate to alter the size - 20 of apertures of the gully grate and the grill has fan-like blades to direct water into the diverter channel.

6. A road gully drainage unit for directing water from a road gutter as claimed in 6 claim 1 wherein the filter means includes an elongate and substantially V-shaped base wall to collect and passage debris and the substantially V-shaped base wall is located adjacent the channel member. 6. A road gully drainage unit for directing water from a road gutter as claimed in 10 any one of the abovementioned claims wherein gully inlet is an elongate opening.

7. A road gully drainage unit for directing water from a road gutter as claimed in any one of the abovementioned claims wherein a runnel member is located within the gully inlet wherein the runnel member is adapted to direct water to the storm 15 water drain or diverter channel.

8. A road gully drainage unit for directing water from a road gutter as claimed in claim 7 wherein the runnel member has an inclined base wall that slopes downwards toward the storm water drain or diverter channel. 20

9. A road gully drainage unit for directing water from a road gutter as claimed in claim 8 wherein the base wall has a substantially V-shaped portion for collecting and passaging debris. - 21 10. A road gully drainage unit for directing water from a road gutter as claimed in claim 8 wherein the base wall has a substantially V-shaped portion for collecting and passaging debris; a side of the substantially V-shaped portion supports one side edge of the gully grate and the side wall of the gully inlet supports an opposed side 5 edge of the gully grate.

11. A road gully drainage unit for directing water from a road gutter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the channel member has a channel opening providing an access to the storm water drain or the kerb member has a kerb 10 opening providing an access to the storm water drain.

12. A road gully drainage unit for directing water from a road gutter as claimed in claim 11 wherein there is a removable grate positionable over the kerb or channel opening. 15

13. An irrigation unit for collecting and directing water including an inner wall defining an internal space and an outer wall surrounding the inner wall; an irrigation channel formed by the spacing between the walls; the irrigation 20 channel has a floor with one or more apertures to allow water to drain from the irrigation channel; an irrigation inlet formed in the outer wall to allow water to enter the irrigation channel; an irrigation outlet formed in the outer wall to allow water to discharge from 25 the irrigation channel; and - 22 a cover locatable over the irrigation channel.

14. An irrigation unit for collecting and directing water as claimed in claim 13, wherein the internal space is a cavity which can be filled with soil and used to grow a 5 plant.

15. An irrigation unit for collecting and directing water as claimed in claim 13, wherein the internal space is a cavity which can be filled with soil and used to grow a plant; a removable Dasket is positionable within the internal space to restrict the 10 growth of plant roots and the basket has a plurality of openings to allow water to pass through a basket wall.

16. An irrigation unit for collecting and directing water as claimed in claim 13, wherein irrigation outlet is relatively higher compared with the irrigation inlet in the 15 outer wall.

17. An irrigation unit for collecting and directing water as claimed in claim 13, wherein a transfer pipe is connected to the irrigation outlet or an aperture in the floor, the transfer pipe is adapted to irrigate the ground surrounding the irrigation unit. 20

18. An irrigation unit for collecting and directing water as claimed in claim 17, wherein the transfer pipe has perforations that allow water in the transfer pipe to drain into the ground adjacent the transfer pipe. -23 19. An irrigation unit for collecting and directing water as claimed in claim 13, wherein there is a discharge outlet formed in the inner wall for discharging water from the internal space to a storm water drain. 5 20. An irrigation unit for collecting and directing water as claimed in claim 19, wherein the discharge outlet is located at a higher position relative to the irrigation inlet and irrigation outlet.

21. An irrigation unit for collecting and directing water as claimed in claim 19, 10 wherein the cover is removable grate to provide access to the irrigation channel.

22. An irrigation unit for collecting and directing water as claimed in claim 19, wherein the cover is removable grate to provide access to the irrigation channel, said cover has one or more flush ports to enable cleaning of debris collected in the 15 irrigation channel.

23. An irrigation unit for collecting and directing water as claimed in claim 19, wherein the cover is removable grate to provide access to the irrigation channel, said cover has a probe that measures the depth of the water and or pH of the water. 20

24. An irrigation unit for collecting and directing water as claimed in claim 19, wherein the cover has one or more cover inlets to allow water to enter the irrigation channel. - 24 25. A drainage assembly including a road gully drainage unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 operatively connected to an irrigation unit as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 24. 5 26. A water well unit including one or more walls forming a reservoir for collecting water; cover locatable over the reservoir, the cover has one or more cover inlets allowing water to enter the reservoir; and one or more apertures in the one or more walls wherein the one or more 10 apertures allow water to enter or discharge from the reservoir.

27. A gully drainage system including any combination of one or more road gully drainage units as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12; 15 one or more irrigation units as claimed in any one of claims I to 24; and one or more water well units as claimed in claim 26; wherein the units are operatively connected through a plurality of pipes and water is diverted for Irrigation or local collection purposes. 20