Stormwater

This network represents the path of water naturally flowing until it is disturbed by development. The path of water is known as natural overland flow and would follow the topography of the land until it discharges to a natural waterway such as creek or river.

This network describes the designed infrastructure of stormwater pits, pipes, culverts, headwalls, channels and basins which function to control overland flow. It can be classified into three categories; inter-allotment drainage, minor stormwater networks and major stormwater networks.

A drainage easement is a legal encumbrance on the title of a property to protect the drainage infrastructure within that property which benefits other properties. It provides Council with the authority to carry out works required on drainage infrastructure within the easement.

Typical infrastructure includes open drainage channels, below ground pipe systems and grated inlets that are designed to collect inter-allotment and roof water together with upstream catchment stormwater run-off.

The property owner is responsible for maintaining any easements on their private property. This includes tasks such as clearing weeds, trimming trees, and managing overgrown vegetation. The council is not responsible for maintaining vegetation in watercourses or easements located on private property.

Where sloping blocks have been excavated to obtain a flat yard or building site, seepage drains should be constructed to redirect water to a stormwater drainage system.

On sloping blocks, any diversion of surface water must be carried out in a way that does not have a detrimental impact on any other properties further down the slope.

You should liaise with neighbours to address any problems. If possible, drainage easements can be created to direct water to a council stormwater drainage system.

Floodplain risk management process

The Flood Prone Land Policy and Flood risk management manual guides local government in managing flood risk in their communities to reduce the impact of flooding and flood liability on owners and occupiers of flood-prone property and reduce public and private damages.

More information is available on the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website.

Asset renewal and maintenance

Council undertakes routine asset inspections of the stormwater network to ensure it is operating in a satisfactory condition. Through this process, infrastructure is identified and considered for renewal works that when actioned, improves the sustainability of the network.

Maintenance of the stormwater network is carried out based on Council assessment of the network condition, as well as investigations arising from community enquiries, service requests, and complaints.

Private development

Private development is governed by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. Council stormwater requirements associated with private development are stipulated within Council’s Development Control Plan.

Developments are expected to demonstrate that there would be no increase in the overland water flows in consideration of volume and direction.