Considerations for the installation and connection of plumbing and drainage.
Plumbing and drainage works on a property that is not connected to a Sydney Water town water supply and Sewer supply will require prior approval from Council. The required application is a Section 68 Application under the Local Government Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need approval from Council prior to commencing works?
In some instances, Council approval issued under Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 is required to be obtained, prior to commencing works.
The following works require approval under Section 68 of the Act (where the plumbing/drainage is not being connected to Sydney Water sewer infrastructure):
- All internal and external sanitary drainage;
- Installation (and any associated drainage) of septic tanks / aerated wastewater treatment systems and the like;
- Connection of any drainage to an existing septic tank, aerated wastewater treatment system or the like;
- Connection of any drainage to a private sewer scheme (Stonequarry estate and Nangarin estate).
Further Information and Questions
Please visit the NSW Fair Trading website for further information.
If you have any questions please contact Council’s Building Assessment Team on (02) 4677 1100 weekdays.
How to arrange an inspection?
To arrange an inspection with Council, please contact our Customer Service Team on (02) 4677 1100 weekdays.
Inspection Fees
For Council carrying out the inspection service, inspections fees will apply in accordance with our adopted Fees and Charges.
Inspections Required
Due to the above, the following plumbing and drainage works are required to be inspected by Council (where the plumbing / drainage is not being connected to Sydney Water sewer infrastructure).
- All internal and external sanitary drainage;
- Installation (and any associated drainage) of septic tanks / aerated wastewater treatment systems and the like.
- Any other alternative water supply systems, such as Wilton Bingara Gorge recycled water plumbing*, greywater treatment systems and the like.
*Wilton Bingara Gorge recycled water inspections required - Internal Drainage, External Drainage / Front Run (Water Supply), Internal Rough In, Final Flow Test.
Please contact Council’s Customer Service Team if you require any clarification.
Legislation
All plumbing and drainage work in New South Wales is regulated under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2011.
As required by the Act, NSW Fair Trading is the sole regulator for plumbing and drainage works across the State.
In certain Council areas (such as Wollondilly Shire Council’s area), where the plumbing / drainage is not being connected to Sydney Water sewer infrastructure, Fair Trading’s role as the regulator has been given to Local Councils to carry out the required inspections.
Prior to Starting Any Work
Only licensed contractors can carry out plumbing and drainage work in New South Wales.
Plumbers and drainers must be licensed with NSW Fair Trading.
Prior to commencing work, and prior to Council carrying out any of the required inspections, the licensee is required to submit their 'Notice of Work' to Council.
Upon the completion of the works, the plumber must also submit their 'Certificate of Compliance' and a 'Sewer Service Diagram'/'Works as Executed Drawing' to Council.
For consistency, Council accept the 'Notice of Work', 'Certificate of Compliance' and 'Sewer Service Diagram'/'Works as Executed Drawing' in the same format as NSW Fair Trading.
These templates can be obtained from NSW Fair Trading website.
