Building requirements

Works near, on or above our assets must meet our technical requirements. Structures built near our assets must meet our foundation criteria and standard clearance requirements for overland flow paths. This ensures the proposed structures and existing pipe networks are safe.

We generally don't allow structures to be built over our assets. However, we may approve some structures if:

minimum clearance conditions are met
the structure is non-permanent and can be fully removed

Note: eaves and overhangs are not permitted.

Structures we allow

We allow you to build include:

removable carports (minimum of three open sides with flat roof)
concrete driveways and pavers
wooden fences parallel to, or crossing our assets

We don’t allow:

habitable structures (for example buildings, extensions)
above or in-ground swimming pools
permanent structures
brick fences crossing any of our assets

Residential properties

If you plan to build in a residential area, any preliminary plans submitted as part of your application must meet the following technical requirements.

Clearance conditions

private underground services cannot be laid within an easement, though we may allow services that cross the asset
structures next to drains must have a minimum horizontal clearance of five metres
buildings (including footings and eaves) must be outside an easement or at least five metres horizontally clear of the outside edge of the assets – whichever is greater
utility services next to access pits must have a horizontal clearance of two metres
small sheds must have less than four square metres (4m²) of floor area within the easement to be considered, depending on overland flow requirements

Other conditions

assets must remain covered by soil at least 850mm deep
hardstand areas can use pavers set on a sand and crushed rock base
domestic concrete driveways must be no more than 100mm thick
structures must not obstruct overland flows, otherwise we will not approve them
structures must not place additional loads on the asset
structures must have a footing depth that adequately satisfies the angle of repose relative to the asset