Guides & resources
Information on new development and permits.
We are responsible for potable water supply relating to new developments within Wagga Wagga City Council and Lockhart Shire and parts of the Federation and Greater Hume local government areas.
This includes new subdivisions, commercial, residential development, additions/alterations to existing structures, and change of use developments.
When submitting a development application to your local council, you should also begin discussions relating to water supply with Riverina Water.
If you are planning a large scale development, such as a major subdivision or large industrial industry, it's best to check on servicing arrangements with us before proceeding to the Development Application or a detailed design phase. This is especially important as there may be substantial costs involved with supplying water to the development, or restrictions on the amount of water available to the development.
Commercial development proposals vary widely, from facilities such as motels and caravan parks, to hospitals, retail centres, light manufacturing and heavy industry. Because of this diversity, Rivernia Water assesses commercial development on a case-by-case basis.
Information for developers
- Determining if the site can be adequately serviced with water
- Ensuring the new development doesn't affect existing water supply systems
- Providing compliance under s64 and s68 of the Local Government Act
- Imposing fees and charges such as s64 Development Servicing Charges on a development wishing to connect to water supply
- Issuing of plumbing permits and conducting of plumbing inspections for any onsite plumbing works
Large scale development projects, such as heavy industry, medical precincts, hospitals etc will require detailed assessment.
With a request to supply the development with water, you should submit detailed plans including civil and hydraulic designs and address fire servicing issues.
Details of any subdivision or consolidation of properties proposed should also be supplied.
We recommend early consultation on all subdivision plans, particularly where water services are currently not available. If servicing is difficult or costly, it may result in a change to the proposed lot layout in order to supply water. There may also be water pressure or zoning constraints in the area. It is best to address issues in preliminary stages.
The developer is responsible for the full cost of the construction of water supply reticulation works equivalent to 100mm in residential areas and 150mm in commercial/industrial areas. Developers will also be required to cover the full cost of water reticulation lines required to be extended for supply to their subdivision, and a minimum Service Connection Fee of a 20mm service will also be levied per lot. Riverina Water can provide estimates of contribution requirements for your project upon request.
Developments should all follow a designated staging plan that forms the overall master plan.
Developments not following designated stages will need to, in writing, make a submission to Riverina Water in order to make provisions for the supply of water reticulation.
Riverina Water design, construct and maintain all water supply mains within the Riverina Water distribution area. Riverina Water will not allow any water reticulation works that become owned by the authority to be constructed by a contractor or third party.
Developer servicing charges (DSCs), levied under Section 64 of the Local Government Act, are designed to recover the cost of upgrading assets such as water treatment plants, intake structures, pump stations and major pipelines due to the growth in demand from new development.
DSCs are applied to any development which creates new or increased demands upon water supply systems including subdivisions, new residential dwellings, and commercial, industrial or recreation facilities.
Riverina Water's DSCs are levied in accordance with the NSW Water Directorate Guidelines, and Riverina Water's adopted Developer Servicing Plan and Fees and Charges.
For a standard residential subdivision a minimum DSC of 1 ET is payable per lot. Depending on lot size or lot use, such as multi-residential units, this fee may increase. For industrial subdivisions, a minimum DSC of 10.5 ETs per hectare will apply. At the time of subdivision however, a standard charge of 1 ET will be payable, with the remainder to be paid prior to the individual lots wishing to be connected to Riverina Water's water supply.
Separate assessments apply for developments such as hospitals, schools, retail or commercial premises. As these fees can vary, you should contact Riverina Water for a more specific cost, based on the development type.
As DSCs can be substantial, developers are encouraged to enquire about the possible costs associated with their development at early stages of planning.
When requesting assessment for a development from Riverina Water, you should allow up to 14 days for the initial assessment of the project, and up to four weeks for detailed assessment including costing and design of the water supply, depending on the scale of the project and other possible site restrictions.
To proceed with the installation of water reticulation to the proposed development, the developer is required to complete a signed acceptance to Riverina Water which can be found on the back of the statement of fees provided for the development.
Payment can be made in two separate transactions under one invoice, including payment of construction costs and the connection fee prior to Riverina Water commencing or scheduling any on-site construction works. The Payment of the DSC component can be made at a later stage prior to the release of a compliance certificate, or the developer requiring to draw water from the authorities main. All payments for the development are required to be made in the same financial year as when the invoice was issued.
When scheduling the mains construction works, up to six weeks' notice should be given to Riverina Water, to allow for programming of works and purchasing of materials. Additional charges may be incurred if appropriate notification is not provided.
Prior to Riverina Water commencing any onsite works, engineering and/or construction drawings of other services and utilities already installed in the subdivision must be supplied. Works will not proceed without this detail.
Subdivisions cannot be released for sale until the appropriate Council signs off on the project and you have obtained a Certificate of Compliance - Water Supply from Riverina Water.
A certificate of compliance must be obtained by any development wishing to connect to Riverina Water water supply, or a development which has changed use and wish to remain connected to Riverina Water water supply. To obtain a certificate the following conditions must be met:
- All associated developer payments to Riverina Water have been made
- All water supply reticulation for the development has been constructed
- Any other Riverina Water requirements associated with the development have been satisfied by the developer.