Build a private jetty

If you are planning to build a private floating or fixed jetty, pontoon or mooring on Melbourne's waterways you need our approval.

We assess jetty proposals for their impact on other waterway users, the environment, flooding and public safety.

We work with Parks Victoria and your council to protect and manage Melbourne’s waterways and ensure any proposed work meets our standards.

Application process

Planning and building a jetty is a complex process. You will need to include detailed designs, specifications and supporting documents with your application.

You will also need to complete our assessment criteria checklist:

Approval process

Melbourne Water approval is required before you start building your jetty. If we approve the works, we will send you a letter outlining any specific conditions you must meet as part of our approval, and any relevant fees.

Before giving our approval we may also need evidence of approvals from other authorities that may be affected by your works.

Before starting work you will be required to enter into a Jetty Agreement with us, which defines liability and ongoing maintenance. Agreements will be delivered electronically via a highly secure, encrypted online platform. This will enable faster execution of agreements and eliminates the need paper agreements. You may be required to respond with a written acceptance to comply with our conditions.

Pre-application – objections to project

Before submitting an application to us, you must check that there are no objections to your proposed jetty from Parks Victoria. You should also check with:

• the registered Aboriginal Party

• Aboriginal Affairs Victoria

• your local council

• Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DEWLP)

If you construct your jetty without getting these approvals, it will be considered illegal and you may face fines or costs for alterations or removal.

Also check you comply with other laws that may affect your development, such as Special Building Overlay and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay.

Concept/feasibility – submit early plans and apply for planning permit

We recommend you submit your concept plans for our review and feedback before you apply for our formal approval.

You will probably need a planning permit from your local council. That permit application will be referred to us and other relevant agencies, each of which may include conditions on the permit.

Design – submit detailed plans

Once you have a planning permit, submit your detailed design plans to us for approval.

If we approve your formal application we will contact you with any special conditions that apply to the jetty construction. We will also request copies of approvals from other agencies involved in the approval process.

You must respond with a written acceptance to comply with our conditions, and pay the relevant fees.

Before you start work, you'll need to enter into a formal agreement with us for maintenance and liability for the life of the structure.

Construction

Before starting works on Melbourne Water’s asset, the contractor must contact Melbourne Water’s Asset Services Team on 131 722 for approval/permits on a live asset(s). Penalties apply for unauthorised works.

All contractors who carry out works on live assets are required to have a Permit to work.

Inspections will be required at different stages of the works (letter of approval will confirm this requirement). Please refer to inspection of work.

Any works undertaken without Melbourne Water approval will be considered illegal under the Water Act.

Duration

We are currently receiving a high volume of applications due to growth in demand for our services, which has unfortunately created significant delays. We acknowledge your patience and will make every effort to process your applications as soon as we can. View our current processing times.

Fees

Fees differ depending on the proposed work. We will advise you of the amount once we assess your application. Please note the application fee is non-refundable.

Fees and security for construction, works and connections

Guidelines

For more information read our guidelines.

Important information

Your application may experience a delay if there are any issues. Delays in the application process may happen if:

• The information and documentation are incomplete or missing.
• We need to further investigate the complexity of the development.

We assess applications on a case-by-case basis and will notify you of the following outcomes once we have completed the review.

1. The application approved. Project can move forward. 
2. The application approved. Conditions need to be met before the project can move forward. 
3. The application declined. We will notify you of the reasons the project cannot move forward. (reasons given). 
4. Application needs to be assessed further, and we need more information.

Contact us

If you need any help to complete this application, contact us on131 722.