What is a water development notice?

The first part of a Water Development Notice includes the applicant details, the proposed development and the property details. It will also come with a unique development reference file number, for example, DA25/1234, PCD25/1234. 

The unique reference number must be provided each time you contact us. 

Your Water Development Notice includes important conditions that must be followed to avoid penalties or costly rework. These conditions apply at various stages of your development, such as:

• Before a Construction Certificate is issued
• Before or during construction
• Before an Occupation Certificate is issued

You may be required to submit supporting documents like receipts, hydraulic reports, infrastructure plans, backflow surveys, or trade waste approvals before starting any work.

Examples of conditions include:

• Before demolition: Inspections for temporary water meter disconnection, sewer cap-off, or pressure sewer disconnection.
• Before construction: Developer contributions, certified plans, water calculations, and approvals for backflow prevention or liquid trade waste.
• During construction: Water meter installations and inspections (e.g., sewer encasement, backflow devices, trade waste equipment).

Important: A Construction Certificate must be issued before any work begins. This can be done by Council or a Principal Certifying Authority (PCA). Work must not commence without written approval.

Under Section 307 of the Water Management Act 2000, a Certificate of Compliance confirms that all conditions in your Water Development Notice have been met.

This certificate may be issued:

• At the completion of the development
• At the end of each stage (for staged developments)
• Before receiving an Occupation Certificate
• Before receiving a Subdivision Certificate

Is your development ready?

Ask yourself:

• Have you received a Construction Certificate or approval to start?
• Has the development been built?
• Is it ready for an Occupation Certificate?
• Have all Water Development Notice conditions been met?

If you answered yes to all, you're ready to apply for a Certificate of Compliance.

If you answered no to any, please speak with your builder or contact Shoalhaven Water to clarify what’s still required.

Note: This certificate is separate from plumbing and drainage compliance. For those matters, please contact Shoalhaven City Council’s Building and Compliance Team.

Each Water Development Notice is assessed individually, with fees and charges based on the type and scale of the development.

As part of the assessment, Shoalhaven Water considers a range of factors, including:

• The impact on water supply and sewerage systems.
• Hydraulic loading and system augmentation needs.
• Section 64 contributions (if applicable).
• Sewerage system type (gravity, pressure, or both).
• Design plans and servicing requirements.
• Trade waste and backflow implications.
• Easement needs and potential conflicts with other services.

We also review any other matters that could affect system performance or maintenance.

Once payment is received and the development is approved by the relevant authority, Shoalhaven Water will issue the Water Development Notice to the applicant.

Assessment Fees

If a Water Development Notice is prepared, an invoice will be issued and must be paid before the notice is released. If no Notice is prepared, no fee will be charged.

Your Water Development Notice will outline the conditions that must be met before you can apply for a Certificate of Compliance. This often includes submitting plans and supporting documents.

You may need to provide:

• Proof of payments – such as plan checking fees, Section 64 contributions, meter fees, or pressure sewer unit charges
• Approved plans – like pressure sewer site plans or water/sewer main designs
• Technical documents – including water meter sizing or sewer sizing calculations

Click here to learn how to submit your plans and documents.

If your development plans change, you’ll need to apply for a modified Development Application (DA). Updated plans must be submitted to Shoalhaven Water so we can review and update the conditions in your Water Development Notice if needed.

Modifications are assessed under Section 4.55 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, and the changes must keep the development substantially the same as originally approved. If the changes are too significant, a new DA may be required.

It’s always best to get your plans right in the initial DA, as modifications can take time and may involve extra fees.

Visit our Modify a Water Development Notice page to get started.