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Land development
Guides, charges and rules for big developments
We're committed to making sure new land developments receive quality water, wastewater and, where possible, stormwater infrastructure. We also need to be sure that new buildings don't affect our pipes. That's why we work closely with developers and their providers as part of our development process.
Charges
Before you can get your Section 73 Compliance Certificate, you may have to pay:
- developer charges
- the cost of constructing new pipes – you generally pay for the full cost, but sometimes Sydney Water will pay.
Who pays, and other costs
The decision on who pays is based on our funding infrastructure to service growth policy. If Sydney Water pays for any of these works, you must follow our procurement guidelines. Your water servicing coordinator can tell you more.
There may be other costs you'll have to pay for during the land development process. These could include:
- checking building plans
- connecting to our pipes, such as water main drilling costs
- assessing water mains for fire-fighting capabilities
- discharging trade waste
- inspecting plumbing and drainage.
Read more about current prices for other services. You'll also have to pay your providers for their services. Remember, you can only use our listed providers.
Recycled water and stormwater infrastructure contributions
Until 1 July 2024, the only infrastructure contributions you have to make are for recycled water and stormwater. Find out how this is calculated in the Rouse Hill recycled water services: Development servicing plan 2021, the Hoxton Park recycled water services: Development servicing plan 2021 and the Aerotropolis stormwater development requirements.
IPART (the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) sets the way recycled water and stormwater infrastructure contributions are calculated. It includes a CPI adjustment on 1 July each year, and you must pay the charge that applies when you pay.
Recycled water and stormwater contributions for a development can add up to thousands of dollars. Charges depend on the size and location of the project. We'll tell you about these charges in the Notice of Requirements letter you get from your water servicing coordinator.
Drinking water and wastewater infrastructure contributions
From 1 July 2024, we'll require developers to make fair contributions for the drinking water and wastewater infrastructure we build. This will help recover the cost of providing services to new developments and ensure our customers' water bills remain affordable.
These charges are in line with recommendations adopted by the NSW Government set out by the NSW Productivity Commission's Infrastructure Contributions Review.
Find out more, including proposed Development Servicing Plan (DSP) areas, under infrastructure contributions on Sydney Water Talk.
Essential references
Policies
You'll find our policies on the requirements we make during the land development process under plumbing, building and developing on our policies page.
Guidelines
- Land development guide
How to meet our requirements for servicing your development and receive your Section 73 Certificate through our 'Managing New Development' process. The guide details the process, related policies, forms, fees and charges. - Documentation standards for easements over private service lines: guide
- Entry onto third party property: guide
- Precinct acceleration protocol funding guidelines for application of commercial principles
- Procurement guidelines for developer works
- Property development connection application: guide
- Property development connection requirements (water)
- Property development connection requirements
- Servicing dual occupancy and other two-home developments
Other information
Rules about relocating pipes
You mustn't start work to move, remove or replace any Sydney Water pipes until you have our approval, including temporary replacement pipes. You need to engage a water servicing coordinator and lodge an approval application through the e-Developer system. Include a design of the proposed works and any temporary pipework. We'll review the design and tell you what you need to do to get our approval. This might include lodging a construction bond.
Take a look at our Asset adjustment and protection manual and find out more about developer deeds and standard terms.
How to track your applications
You can follow your applications for Section 73 certificates or approvals to move or extend our pipes at developer application progress.