If any construction activity is to occur over an easement vested in GWMWater or within 1.5 metres of a GWMWater asset, prior approval should be sought from GWMWater. Please contact us via our website or by emailing
A Build Over Easement Agreement is usually required and can involve the establishment of additional easements to maintain access.
Applications should proceed with minimal delay and inconvenience when these steps are followed:
Prior to designing any structure or carrying out works, seek to establish if the proposed structure/or works is to be located over an easement or within 1.5 metres of a sewer or water asset.
Request a detailed Sewer Asset Location Plan (size, depth and offset) or Water Asset Plan from GWMWater (a standard fee may be applicable).
Refer to the Build Over and Adjacent to GWMWater Assets Guidelines to confirm if the proposed works comply with GWMWater requirements.
Lodge an application form with GWMWater along the applicable application fee and a set of building plans.
Plans must include a site plan which clearly indicates the type of structure to be built, foundation details and relevant elevation plans.
Additional fees may be payable in the event that additional information is required to assess the condition/location of existing assets.
Further information can be found in the Build Over and Adjacent to GWMWater Assets Guidelines.
Developer works refers to infrastructure that will be transferred (gifted) to GWMWater for ongoing ownership and maintenance.
Common examples are pipeline extensions (see Extending our network page for more information) or alterations to our assets, new water and sewer reticulation for subdivisions, new hydrants, valves, or manholes, or lowering or relocating our assets.
All works need to be designed and constructed to GWMWater’s standards and requirements. The standards adopted by GWMWater are the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) standards (available from WSAA) and GWMWater’s addenda to these standards, the GWMWater design and construction standards manual.
If you are planning work near our assets, you have obligations when building or moving construction plant. See Working and building near our assets for more information.
Fees and charges
GWMWater costs associated with developer works include:
- GWMWater's Plan Checking Fee - 0.75% of the estimated cost of works. This is invoiced to the applicant after the developer works application is submitted.
- GWMWater's Review and Inspection Fee - This equates to 2.5% of the cost of the 'as constructed works' for the developer works.
- Defects Security - This is also payable in the form of a security deposit and is a percentage of the actual cost of the developer works and is the larger of:
- 5%; or
- $2,000 (if 5% is less than $2,000); or
- Another percentage advised by GWMWater.
- New Customer Contributions (also known as Developer Charges) - These may apply and are a one-off upfront payment by the developer to recover incremental costs remote from the development such as conveying and treating greater quantities of water to and sewer from the development. The Essential Services Commission is Victoria's water industry regulator. The Essential Services Commission approves standard rates for New Customer Contributions. The Essential Services Commission's website has information on pricing determination for New Customer Contributions.
- Growth Water - Growth water costs may apply. More information is available on request.
Costs associated with the Connections Process are separate to and come after the Developer Works Process. Refer to GWMWater for costs associated with connecting services.
Developer works process
The following steps outline the standard Developer Works Agreement Process.
There may be some variability with the standard steps depending on the development.
GWMWater will work with the developer to outline the anticipated process and requirements if different from the standard.
Engage with GWMWater and Council early to understand infrastructure and planning requirements, and the costs involved.
The Developer Works Process is fully funded by the developer. To get an understanding of costs involved with your extension project please see 'Fees and charges' above for more information.
Requirements for water and sewer infrastructure are defined in the Water Services Association Australia Codes available from Water Services Association Australia, and in the GWMWater addenda to the Water Services Association Australia Codes, the Design & Construction Standards Manual. Further requirements for provision of infrastructure access rights are in accordance with the Land Tenure for Assets Policy. Contact GWMWater for more information.
The developer may engage a consultant to produce the design at their own cost.
The location and depth of assets shown on plans provided by GWMWater are indicative only. GWMWater strongly recommend undertaking asset location investigation on site prior to any design and construction work.
Please note the design and construction of mains on private property are subject to the consent of the landowner(s) affected. Written landowner(s) consent must be obtained prior to GWMWater’s approval of a design plan.
Where reticulation infrastructure, installed by the developer, fronts properties outside the development that could benefit from the works, the owners of those properties will not be under an obligation to contribute to the cost of the works but shall be entitled to apply to GWMWater to connect to the works in due course. The developer is encouraged to negotiate with intervening landowners to seek their cooperation in contributing to the cost of the works.
Any nominated contractor who will be responsible for the delivery of all works to be handed over to GWMWater, must hold a current prequalification with GWMWater. Click here for more information.
All works considered Developer Works will require an Application for developer works form to be completed.
This form must be filled in by the developer responsible for signing the Developer Works Agreement and paying all applicable costs.
The developer must produce a design to accompany the application form that complies with GWMWater requirements. Both the application and design plans can be sent to
A Plan Checking Fee (0.75% of the estimated cost of the gifted works as per filled in application form) will be invoiced out upon submission of the design documents. Upon receipt of the fees, GWMWater will check the designs. Defective designs will require correction and resubmission by the developer. GWMWater may identify additional works required to facilitate network growth; these additional works are referred to as Reimbursement Works since the cost of their construction is recoverable from GWMWater. For accepted designs, GWMWater will send the developer a letter of in principal acceptance and request the plans be marked ‘for construction’.
The developer must then provide GWMWater with construction issue plans. The construction issue plans are required to progress to the next step, Step 3: Entering into a Developer Agreement with GWMWater.
Based on the developer’s design plans for extension of mains, GWMWater will determine if a Developer Agreement or a Minor Works Developer Agreement is required to be entered into by the developer to progress.
A Minor Works Developer Agreement is designed to reduce complexity and requirements for simpler developments and can be applied where works involve:
- No mechanical and electrical assets (including PRVs) (excluding pressure sewer units); and
- Less than three (3) pressure sewer units (regardless of if these units are to be installed by the developer or at a later date by an owner); and
- Where the sum of valves, hydrants, elbows, junctions, bends, changes in diameter, and changes in material is less than 10; and
- Sewer junctions, manholes, maintenance shafts, bends, changes in diameter and changes in materials is less than 10; and
- Excavations are shallower than 1.5m.
The Developer Agreement will outline GWMWater requirements and expectations of the developer, along with the applicable GWMWater costs associated with the project and any applicable Reimbursement Works.
GWMWater will send the Developer Agreement to the developer for signing.
Once a signed Developer Agreement is received, GWMWater will counter-sign the applicable Developer Agreement and return a copy to the developer along with a letter confirming design acceptance.
Once design acceptance has been obtained, the developer must provide GWMWater with a Notice of Intention to Commence Works, with a minimum of five (5) business days’ notice.
The notice must nominate the contractor appointed for the works. The nominated contractor must hold current prequalification with GWMWater.
No works constructing assets to be transferred to GWMWater, nor works on existing GWMWater assets, are to be carried out prior to written consent by GWMWater.
During construction, GWMWater will conduct quality control and safety audits according to the nature and scale of the works.
The developer must comply with all GWMWater requests for work inspections.
If defects are identified during construction these will be raised with the contractor and developer in the first instance. For defects not resolved, GWMWater will advise the developer of requirements for asset acceptance under the Developer Agreement.
Changes to design will not be accepted without written approval by GWMWater. Any changes to the design, including where construction out of tolerance, will require a revised plan to be signed-off by the developer’s design engineer, and revised plans must be submitted to GWMWater for approval.
The developer must ensure the works are completed to GWMWater standards and must provide as-constructed documentation certified by a licensed land surveyor and the construction contractor, to GWMWater once works are completed.
GWMWater will then advise the developer one of the following:
a) Requirements have not been met. In this case the GWMWater advises the developer of requirements for a further submission for assessment; or
b) Express intent to accept assets and as-constructed documentation.
Before Preliminary Acceptance is granted by GWMWater, the developer must pay the following costs as per Developer Agreement.
- GWMWater Review and Inspection Fee
- Defects Security Fee (can be in the form of a security deposit)
- Any other outstanding fee as determined and invoiced by GWMWater.
The GWMWater Review and Inspection Fee and Defects Security Fee will be determined by the as-constructed costs of the works. GWMWater will request the cost break down from the developer to enable the appropriate Review and Inspection Fee and Defects Security to be invoiced out.
Any applicable New Customer Contributions will be invoiced out at this stage.
Once costs have been paid and secured, GWMWater will issue out a letter of Preliminary Asset Acceptance to the developer, marking the start of the Defects Liability Period.
Where applicable, any service connection requirements off the constructed Developer Works (such as a water mains extension), can be applied for once preliminary acceptance has been granted by GWMWater.
Please see Connecting services for additional information and associated costs.
During the nominated Defects Liability Period (as per Developer Agreement) the developer must, at its cost, undertake any necessary Remedial Action in respect of the Developer Works or Private Works or to other property damaged due to the development or the Developer Works, including in response to a Defects Notice.
Provided that there are no outstanding defects or accounts owing by the developer, GWMWater will issue Final Acceptance and, where applicable, the release of any remaining Defects Security.
If you are planning work near our assets, you have obligations when building or moving construction plant. See Working and building near our assets for more information.
Land development
Developers of subdivisions contiguous to our water supply or wastewater reticulation networks, will be required to enter into a Developer Agreement to install water and sewer infrastructure to GWMWater's requirements and standards, servicing the new lots and ratable properties. See Developer works for more information.
Property development
Subdividing, consolidating, or realigning boundaries
You are required to provide each lot with water and sewer main frontage (How can I achieve lot frontage?), and a sewer house connection branch, in accordance with GWMWater’s standards.
Lots are permitted only one water connection and one sewer connection, unless by written agreement.
You may be required to relocate or remove existing connections and install the new connections to GWMWater’s standards.
Where your activity involves extensions or alterations to our network, you will be required to enter into a Developer Agreement. See Developer works for more information.
Common pitfalls:
- No asset plans. Provide concept plans showing how the lots will be provided frontage to the water and sewer mains.
- No easements. Provide 3m wide easements in favour of GWMWater over any sewer mains: the Plan of Subdivision shall specifically state the purpose of sewer easements as “Sewerage” in favour of Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Corporation. Water mains must be in the road reserve.
- Owners Corporation. If you propose combined sanitary drains or water sub-metering, we require you list these assets on the Owners Corporation: The owners corporation schedule should include the following notation “The owners corporation, affecting Lots __, is responsible for the ownership and maintenance of any combined sanitary drains upstream of GWMWater’s common sewer acceptance”; “The owners corporation, affecting Lots __, is responsible for the ownership and maintenance of any common water service downstream of GWMWater’s service point”
Developing a multiple rated lot (multiple rated dwellings on a single lot)
Each rated dwelling must be connected to water and metered in accordance with GWMWater’s standards (Water Service Connections).
As there is only one lot, only one sewer connection is permitted, unless by written agreement. Each rated dwelling must be connected to this sewer acceptance point by a combined sanitary drain, owned and maintained by the property owner.
Installing a dependent persons unit or small second home
A dependent persons unit (DPU) is known as a ‘small second home’ in Victoria and is defined by the Victorian Building Authority. A key feature of the definition is a floor area equal to or less than 60 square metres.
If the building is considered a small second home, GWMWater treat the small second home as part of the primary dwelling for water and sewer billing purposes and do not require a separate water meter provided the small second home connects via the existing water meter and existing sewer connection of the primary dwelling.
Various other agencies requirements apply. Please consult your local council for more information.
Buildings not considered as small second dwellings will be treated as a multiple rated lot.
How can I achieve lot frontage?
Review the GWMWater Interactive Map to determine if a main fronts your lot(s). If one or more of your proposed lots do not have frontage you may:
- Apply to extend an existing pipeline to front lots under a Developer works Agreement.
- Revise your plan of subdivision to provide each lot with frontage to the existing main.
How can I service my lot?
Once lots have frontage, and any associated subdivision has achieved ‘statement of compliance’, property owners can apply for consent to connect. See Connecting services - GWMWater for more information on the connection process.
It’s important that residents and visitors to towns with untreated water supplies are aware of the town’s water quality and its fit-for-purpose use.
Where a town or rural pipeline water supply is not treated, the water is not safe drinking, food preparation, ice making, cleaning of teeth or any other human consumption purposes.
The water is suited for household activities, such as watering gardens, flushing toilets, showering/bathing, irrigation and laundry. Caution should be taken to avoid contact with broken skin or wounds.
GWMWater works with local councils to remind customers, by placing signage at public taps, that the water is not treated and is not fit for human consumption.
GWMWater monitors the water quality of untreated water supply towns and results are available upon request.
To find out which towns receive an untreated water supply, please visit our website at gwmwater.org.au/check-your-water-supply or contact us on 1300 659 961.
To ensure public safety, we ask that you:
- Don’t use the town or rural pipeline water supply for drinking, food preparation, ice making, cleaning of teeth or any other human consumption purposes.
- Avoid swallowing the water e.g. while showering or bathing.
- Avoid contact with broken skin or wounds.
- Consider disconnecting the town or rural pipeline water supply from areas which may encourage drinking or accidental swallowing.
- Make sure no cross-connections exist between the town or rural pipeline water supply and your drinking water source.
- Advise visitors to your home and your town not to drink the town water supply.
Landlords:
Landlords must let tenants know if their water is untreated and not fit for human consumption. To assist landlords, we can provide suitable handouts free of charge.
Please see the below handouts or contact us on 1300 659 961 during business hours to request copies. You are also welcome to call us to talk to a staff member about your or your tenant's water supply.
Businesses and Councils:
We ask councils, managers of commercial businesses and community groups (such as hotels, motels, caravan parks, bed and breakfast houses and club houses, etc.) in towns that do not have a drinking water supply to:
- Mount and maintain signage on or next to taps in public areas e.g. parks, public toilets, schools, caravan parks, club houses, sporting venues and halls.
- Advise guests that the water at your establishment is untreated and is not fit for human consumption.
Suitable signage and publications are available, free of charge, from GWMWater:
- Do not drink the water signs and stickers - available in two sizes.
- 'Living with an untreated water supply brochure' brochure.
- Untreated water supply poster for placement above sinks in community accessed kitchens and bathrooms.
- Untreated water supply notice listing towns and rural pipelines that do not receive a drinking water supply.
To order any of the above, please complete our order form at gwmwater.org.au/uws-order or contact us during business hours on 1300 659 961.
For further information, please contact us on 1300 659 961.
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