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Developing your land

When developing your land you may need to apply to Sydney Water for a Section 73 Compliance Certificate. You might also need to apply to deviate or extend Sydney Water's pipes or permanently close a road. Information can be found here on all these applications.

Developer charges

On 17 December 2008, the NSW Government abolished developer charges for water, wastewater and stormwater services. Sydney Water ceased to collect developer charges for those services on that day.

Developer charges and capital contributions for recycled water continue to apply, in accordance with the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal's recycled water determination.

Sydney Water is currently reviewing the Development Servicing Plan for the Rouse Hill recycled water area. A draft plan is expected to be released for comment in August 2009. The final plan and prices are due to come into effect on 1 October 2009. In the meantime, the 2001 charges continue to apply.

Refunds for water, wastewater and stormwater developer charges

Some cases were incomplete at the time of the government's decision to cease water, wastewater and stormwater developer charges. Sydney Water will issue a refund for developments where these charges were paid, but a Section 73 compliance certificate had not been issued by 17 December 2008. No refund will be issued if a certificate was issued prior to 17 December 2008, or if the property is effectively connected.

Many developers hold Notices of Requirements issued before 17 December 2008, advising them that water, wastewater and stormwater developer charges are payable. Sydney Water will adjust for the cancellation of water, wastewater and stormwater developer charges when the developer requests their Section 73 compliance certificate. Revised Notices can be issued on request.

Requirements for servicing your development or subdivision

When you develop or subdivide land, and depending on the type of development (PDF - 55KB) , you may require a Section 73 Compliance Certificate from Sydney Water. The purpose of this certificate is to ensure that:

your development or subdivision is served by our water, sewer and in some cases stormwater systems
you have paid any necessary contributions towards existing infrastructure.

Also, as of 1 December 2009, Sydney Water has incorporated the new Land and Property Management Authority (LPMA) Pre-allocated Plan Numbers (PPN) Program into its processes.

This means that you will need to engage a registered surveyor earlier in the development process. Read all about it in Changes to subdivision plan requirements for new developments (PDF - 976KB)

Getting a Section 73 Compliance Certificate

Applications for a Section 73 Compliance Certificate have to be lodged for you by a Water Servicing Coordinator through our e-Developer system. Sydney Water does not accept applications directly. The four stages in obtaining a certificate are:

select a Water Servicing Coordinator
receive a Notice of Requirements letter specifying charges to be paid and work to be constructed
pay charges and construct works
receive certificate.

Other Sydney Water approvals

You may need other Sydney Water approvals for:

Moving our pipes

You must not undertake any work near Sydney Water pipes or remove or replace pipes without Sydney Water approval (and this includes the placement of any temporary pipework).

During the planning of any building or construction activity you need to assess whether the work will be close to Sydney Water's pipes. To assist in determining protection requirements for pipes you can utilise the Guidelines for Building Over/Adjacent to Sydney Water Assets (PDF - 366KB) .

If pipes may need to be deviated you must engage a Water Servicing Coordinator to lodge an application for Sydney Water approval.

If the application is approved Sydney Water will advise what needs to be completed including the lodgement of an appropriate construction bond. Work must not start until approval is obtained.

Permanent road closure

If you are undertaking a permanent road closure and a Subdivision Certificate is required by Land & Property Information NSW (LPI), your consent authority will require you to apply for a Section 73 Compliance Certificate. If that certificate is not required, you will need to make an application for a Road Closure.

You must engage a Water Servicing Coordinator to lodge and manage either application. Sydney Water will then advise of any requirements that need to be met before a Section 73 Compliance Certificate or an approval to the Road Closure is issued.

Extending our pipes

To connect to Sydney Water's water or sewerage systems you will need to have a suitable water pipe in a street fronting your property or sewer pipe within your property. If there is not a suitable pipe you can apply for a pipe extension.

For more information please call Sydney Water on 13 20 92.