Step 7: Submit a building application to ActewAGL for approval
7.1 Obligation to protect the water and sewerage networks
An owner of premises must make an application to ActewAGL where proposed buildings or site works, on or adjacent to a property, will (or have the potential to):
- prevent, restrict or obstruct access to water and sewerage network equipment
- cause harm to the water and sewerage network infrastructure
- present a risk to the health and safety of persons operating, maintaining or replacing the water and sewerage networks.
Return to top
7.2 List of project types requiring ActewAGL approval
If you are planning to undertake any of the following, an application must be submitted to ActewAGL for consideration and approval before submitting a development application to ACT Planning and Land Authority:
As a guide, works requiring an application usually include but are not limited to:
- demolition of part or all of existing structures
- construction of temporary buildings (site sheds, material storage sheds, shipping containers, portable toilets, scaffolding, etc).
- construction of permanent buildings (dwellings, commercial premises, garages, sheds, carports, etc). above or below ground. Different conditions apply to lockable and unlockable structures
- construction of landscape features (retaining structures, pavements, pools, fences, masonry walls, trees, etc).
- earthworks (excavations, pits, swales, berms, changes of ground levels (cut or fill), changes of gradient, changes to overland flow routes, etc).
- installation of site services in a service reservation (easement) or pipe protection envelope (electricity, plumbing, sanitary drains, stormwater drains, communication cables, conduits, gas, etc).
- locating water or sewerage network equipment by pot-holing or other invasive means
- changing the position of any water or sewerage network equipment (raise, lower or relocate an isolation valve, water meter, meter pit, sewerage manhole, connection, main, etc).
- construction of vehicle transit or parking facilities over sewerage manholes, water valves, meter pits or other surface mounted network equipment
- construction of pavements within a service reservation or pipe protection envelope
- creation, extinguishment or relocation of a service reservation (easement).
An application is required for new works, whether or not the premises is connected to the water or sewerage network.
An application is required whether or not the location of the water or sewerage connection and/or network infrastructure:
- are inside the boundaries of a property
- are outside the boundaries of a property (on Territory Land or a neighbouring lease)
- are outside a service reservation
- has a service reservation.
Return to top
7.3 When to submit a building application to ActewAGL
ActewAGL recommend building applications to be submitted before submitting your development application to ACT Planning and Land Authority. This will facilitate smooth and rapid passage through the development approval (DA) process.
At the very latest, submissions to ActewAGL should be made by your private certifier before construction commences.
WARNING: What happens if ActewAGL approval is not obtained?
ActewAGL is not responsible for any cost, liability, expense or loss, whether direct or consequential, that an owner of the premises or their agent suffers or incurs as a result of the owner of premises or their agent failing to verify the presence and precise location of ACTEW equipment or seek ActewAGL advice at the earliest and most appropriate design stage of a project.
Return to top
7.4 Information required in a building application
The owner of premises (or their agent architect, designer, builder or certifier) is responsible for providing drawings describing the precise location and purpose of those proposals. As a minimum, where applicable, the application document must show:
- above and below ground level footprints of existing structures (to be retained or demolished)
- above and below ground level footprints of proposed structures (temporary and permanent)
- cross sectional views of structures adjacent to water and sewerage network equipment
- existing site levels and proposed changes to levels
- all proposed landscape features
- utility network locations and attributes described in Step 4.
Return to top