Developer Servicing Strategy
We operate an extensive network of pipelines, pump stations, reservoirs and treatment plants for providing water and wastewater services to the community.
To allow for growth and the integration of these systems, we prepare regional water supply distribution and wastewater transportation strategies.
These strategies generally look from the broader regional perspective and identify significant works required that form the backbone of the system.
Our regional strategies do not necessarily address servicing issues for specific development lands or pockets of unserviced lands that maybe of interest to developers or consultants.
Developers are required to investigate the optimal servicing arrangement for their particular site by undertaking a Developer Servicing Strategy.
The Developer Servicing Strategy determines the optimal configuration of water and sewer infrastructure for a particular development, taking into account all neighbouring developments that may reasonably connect.
When would I need to complete a Servicing Strategy?
Developer Servicing Strategies generally arise under the following circumstances:
- Land remote from existing water and/or sewer network and/or where the most suitable point of connection needs to be investigated further.
- Large developments with high water demand and/or sewer loadings that require new and/or augmented transportation systems, pumping stations and storages.
- Land elevated above the existing supply limits where new water booster stations and/or local high-level storages are necessary.
- Land within sub-catchments that require a new wastewater pump station to transport flows into an adjoining sewerage system.
- Unserviced fringe areas where alternative sewerage systems may be available (pressure lines, gravity mains etc).
Infrastructure requirements for a development site are developed by Accredited Design Consultants using the WSAA codes publication (Hunter Water editions), and any other supplementary guidelines such as the pressure sewer planning, design and hydraulic guidelines.
The Developer Servicing Strategy Process:
- Requirements letter or Preliminary Servicing Advice
We will advise you of the need to prepare a water and or sewer servicing strategy as part of our development assessment requirements letter or preliminary servicing advice response. - Engage accredited design consultant
You will need to engage an Accredited Design Consultant to prepare a Developer Servicing Strategy. Please refer to our list of Accredited Design Consultants to select a suitable party to assist you in preparing the strategy. - Request strategy inception meeting
Once you have selected an Accredited Design Consultant, you should request that they contact us to set up an inception meeting. At this meeting, we will discuss the scope of the strategy and boundary of assessment. This will provide the Accredited Design Consultant with the necessary guidance to begin preparing the strategy. - Prepare Developer Servicing Strategy
The Accredited Design Consultant should prepare the Developer Servicing Strategy using our Developer Servicing Strategy template. The strategy must adhere to minimum water and sewer design code requirements. Please contact us should you require access to cost estimating guidelines, or net present value templates for your strategy. If you have any questions or require any additional information please contact either our Development Services Account Managers or Land Development Engineers to assist. - Submit your strategy for review
The accredited design consultant is required to submit the strategy to the Account Manager. On completion of Hunter Water's strategy review, we will discuss the outcomes with the design consultant, and to agree on the requirements to proceed to the next stage in the strategy. This strategy review will take approximately 6 weeks for initial review and 4 weeks for any subsequent reviews.
The Account Manager will advise of the strategy review fees based on Hunter Water's Developer Fees and Charges Schedule and how these are to be paid. - Submit your final Strategy
Once all comments are closed out for the strategy, we will issue a letter agreeing to the strategy for the site, which will remain valid for 5 years. Any change in the servicing requirements for the site (change in lot yield, additional developments connecting, etc) may require an addendum to be completed.