Building on or Near our Assets

Shoalhaven Water has specific requirements when it comes to building over or near gravity sewer mains including unrestricted access to all manholes, junctions, lampholes and maintenance shafts.    

Building over the water supply assets is NOT permitted and this includes but is not limited to water service lines, water mains, fittings, fixtures, etc. Where a development is proposed adjacent to a water supply asset, a separate written application must be made to Shoalhaven for assessment and determination.  You can send your request using the following email address swdevelopment@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au

Please ensure that appropriate survey information and other documentation is provided as part of your application.

If you are planning on building a house or structure that will be located over one of our sewer assets you will need to submit approved building plans to Shoalhaven Water. 

Our Building over Sewer Policy specifies all the requirements you will need for your development to proceed. This policy is in place to help protect our sewer infrastructure from damage and to enable maintenance to the system.

Your development proposal must enable unrestricted access to all manholes, lampholes, maintenance shafts and junctions. Where applicable, concrete encasement of the sewer main will be required for the protection of the affected pipe and any associated infrastructure (including relocation of sewer assets, eg sewer junction) due to the loss of access.

Building within the easement of a pressure sewer main is NOT permitted.

A written application must be submitted to Shoalhaven Water that includes the following information:

• Two (2) hard copies or one (1) electronic copy of the approved Building Plans and Site Survey plan by a Registered Surveyor.  All levels to Australian Height Datum (AHD).
• Two (2) copies or one (1) electronic copy of certified engineering plans, indicating soil classification and type, and protection requirements of the sewer infrastructure and proposed/existing structure/s in accordance with Council’s Building over Sewer Policy.

An invoice shall be raised for the applicant to pay the Building over Sewer Plan checking fee on completion of the assessment. This fee must be paid within 30 days of receiving the invoice or before an inspection is required whichever comes first.

All works relating directly to the sewer infrastructure, as specified in the Development Application Notice and Building over Sewer approval are required to be carried out in the presence and to the satisfaction of Shoalhaven Water’s inspector.

To arrange an inspection simply follow this link to our online request – Book an Inspection

Please allow 2 working days from the time of submission for an inspection to take place. The applicant submitting the request will be responsible for payment of the inspection, unless otherwise stated in the inspection request form. 

For further information download our Building over Sewers Policy