Building over or adjacent sewers
You will need approval to build or carry out work near Unitywater’s infrastructure. This approval is additional to any other approval needed to carry out the works you propose.
Unitywater aims to let you use your property without unnecessary constraints. However, Unitywater must also ensure the works you propose do not impede the organisation’s current and future ability to provide water supply and sewerage services. This includes avoiding unnecessary expense or risk of damage to water supply or sewerage infrastructure.
Instances where you will need to seek approval include (but are not limited to):
- Where driven piles or piers are located within 10 metres of Unitywater infrastructure;
- Where any building or structure is deemed to be within the “zone of influence*” of Unitywater infrastructure;
- Where earthworks are directly over or will affect the structural integrity of Unitywater infrastructure;
- Where bored excavations for piers or footings are located within the “zone of influence*” of Unitywater infrastructure;
- Where the width of the access path from the front boundary to any access hole or sewer property connection located on the property is less than 3 metres;
- Where the vertical height to finished surface over Unitywater infrastructure will be reduced to less than 2.0m;
- Where the clearance from Unitywater infrastructure to a fence, building or other structure will be reduced to less than 1.5m.
Submitting your application
Unitywater’s infrastructure network covers both Moreton Bay Regional Council and Sunshine Coast Council areas.
If the development is on private land in the Moreton Bay Regional Council area, council will continue to manage the approval process for Unitywater. Accordingly, please submit your application and associated enquiries to Moreton Bay Regional Council – Building and Plumbing.
If the development is proposed on a public road in the MBRC area, please contact the Unitywater office at Strathlink on (07) 3480 6703.
If the development is in the Sunshine Coast Council area, please submit your application and any associated enquiries to the Unitywater office in Maroochydore.
Construction
A Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) may be required to design and/or approve the proposed building or structure. The RPEQ also may be required to prepare “as-constructed” drawings.
Works to reline any Unitywater infrastructure must be performed by Unitywater or by a Unitywater approved contractor.
Works to relocate any Unitywater water infrastructure may require separate approval under the Sustainable Planning Act.
Contact details and forms
* Zone of influence – The zone of influence is that area of strata likely to be affected by superimposed loads. The boundary of the zone of influence is nominally defined as a line projected at a 45o angle from the invert of the sewer to the natural surface. The actual boundary of the zone of influence may be affected by factors including groundwater and soil type and must be determined by an RPEQ.
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