Application process
For subdivision projects or extensions, modification of the existing water and sewerage mains is normally required, which can make this type of application complex.
Approval to proceed can be gained from a single application. This is referred to as a combined connection application and network works application, and requires significant detail to be provided about the proposed changes to infrastructure.
If you would like to proceed but don’t yet have detailed network designs ready, you can submit your application in two steps:
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The first step reserves network capacity for your project. We call this a connection application and approval, but others may call this a development permit for Material Change of Use (MCU) or Reconfiguring of Lots (RoL).
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The second step application enables us to assess the proposed design for your network construction. We call this network works approval but others may refer to this as a development permit for operational works.
The assessment time is 20 days per step. You are not able to start construction until you have network works approval.
Quick links
Before you apply:
Sub-division projects can be complex and involved. We recommend you request a Services Advice Notice (SAN) before you start.
This is a free service we provide that will help ensure you are able to submit a complete application and proceed quickly through the approvals process.
Services Advice Notice F9289 (PDF 140KB)
What you need to get started:
To submit your application for a residential sub-division with single land release, you will need:
- the land owner’s consent, plus the owner’s consent for any property affected by the proposed work e.g. adjoining land through which access may be required
- street plan that adequately locates the property for this connection
- subdivision plan
- development plan
- network demand assessment.
If your development requires work on the water or sewer mains, you will also need:
- network works design calculations
- network works design drawings
- networks analysis reports for water and sewerage.
Depending on the size and complexity of your development, extra demand may be placed on Unitywater networks. Additional reports or documents on the impact of the development may need to accompany the application. These include:
- a supporting report on the proposed development
- servicing strategies for the development
- networks analysis reports
- a subdivision development staging plan
- a network staging plan.
Before applying, you’ll need to consider if approval is required to build or carry out work near Unitywater’s infrastructure.
Apply now with a Connection Application Form F9293 (PDF 380KB)
5 phases of a subdivision project:
Residential sub-division projects step through the following 5 phases. Subdivisions without extensions or modification of the mains skip the construction and handover phases which relate to the mains infrastructure.
You will be planning your development and preparing plans in this phase and submitting documents to council and Unitywater for approval.
We recommend that you request a Service Advice Notice (SAN) during this phase. The SAN is provided free by Unitywater and will help you submit a complete application and ensure your application is assessed in the shortest time possible. As part of the SAN service you can also request a face-to-face meeting.
In this phase, you submit your documentation and plans for your connection and network works approvals. The network works approval is only needed if you need to extend or modify the infrastructure. These two applications can be submitted together or one after the other.
During this phase, we may request additional information from you to help us to assess your application.
You can pay to fast track your connection application. This reduces the assessment time from 20 to 5 days.
Once we have completed the assessment, we will send you our decision notice. Our decision notice will detail how long it is valid for - this is typically 4 years.
You will also receive an infrastructure charges notice (ICN). This charge offsets our costs of ensuring that the extra demand your new sub-division places on our network is catered for. You do not have to pay this fee until you are ready to connect your new development or infrastructure to the live network.
Apply now with a Connection Application Form F9293 (PDF 380KB)
Developments that involve extension or modification of the mains will involve a construction phase in which you or your sub-contractors construct the new main.
The construction phase always starts with a pre-start meeting on site between your consulting engineer, your contractor (or principal contractor and sub-contractor) and a Unitywater inspector.
Minor variations will be approved by an inspector. Larger amendments will require approval by a Unitywater engineer.
During construction, you may need to request a variation to the approved plans. Minor variations, such as realigning a single section of water or sewer main or repositioning a hydrant or stop valve, can be approved on site by a Unitywater inspector. Larger amendments will need to be approved by a Unitywater engineer. The Connections Administration Manual provides full details.
Request a pre-start meeting F9295 (PDF 203KB)
All Developments will involve a live connection phase. It is in this phase that you must pay your ICN and receive your certificate of completion.
If your development did not involve network works, then the phase proceeds as follows:
Do this by submitting a Private Works application (F10001).
Which will be returned after you have successfully completed the maintenance period.
If defects are found, you will need to rectify these and have the work re-inspected.
This is undertaken by our Private Works team.
This is usually 12 months long.
After receiving your certificate of completion and the network is live, you remain financially liable for any defects identified. The maintenance period is usually 12 months and ends when you pass on off-maintenance inspection.
Only developments that involve network works will have this phase. This phase involves the final handover of the network assets and their maintenance to Unitywater.
After your maintenance period has ended, you initiate this phase by submitting an off-maintenance request. This will prompt us to undertake a final inspection of the works. Once any defects are rectified, we return your bond and your development is complete.
If any defects are identified, you must remedy them and request a re-inspection.
Your development is complete.
