Need more information on Complex Works?
If you are developing and need to complete Complex Works, it's important that you understand our process.
First time developers
We've made it easier for first-time developers to obtain the certificates and approvals they'll need to get construction underway.
There are some simple steps you'll need to follow if you are:
- building a second dwelling or granny flat
- building residential apartments/units
- building a new commercial/industrial building
- subdividing land or adjusting a boundary
- making alterations to an existing commercial building
- change of use or fitout to existing commercial/industrial development
What you need to do first
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What are you planning on building?
Any development within Hunter Water's area of operations requires plan stamping by Hunter Water so that we can confirm that water and sewer services are available and that our assets will be protected. Developments will typically follow one of three pathways;
- Single residential developments (new residential house, pools, extensions, retaining walls, etc) not building over our assets = plan stamping only
- Single residential developments (new residential house, pools, extensions, retaining walls, etc) building over our assets = plan stamping and Build Over Assets application
- Subdivisions, Multi-residential (duplex, granny flat, units, etc), commercial or industrial developments = plan stamping and Development Assessment
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Start planning your development
You need to consider your development’s water, sewer and stormwater needs, because you may have to construct new assets to meet our servicing requirements.
To help with your planning, you can:
- view our video on what type of developments require a section 50 certificate
- Request a Service Location Plan to provide a map of where Hunter Water assets are located on and surrounding your property.
- talk to a Development Services team member
- contact an Accredited Design Consultant
- lodge a Preliminary Servicing Application with us if you have a large or complex development to find out our requirements.
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Do you need council consent?
Most developments will need council consent, or a private certifiers compliance certificate. Typically, one of their requirements will be that you have your plans stamped by Hunter Water and then a Section 50 Certificate or Build Over Asset approval.
Likewise, for a development to get to Section 50 certificate, we will need to see a copy of the council DA or private certifiers CDC.
To find out if you require development consent from council and what type of consent you need, visit your local council’s website or contact them. They may not allow you to start construction until we have stamped your development plans.
Our five step application process
1. Get your plans stamped by us and submit your application
Any development within Hunter Water's area of operations requires plan stamping by Hunter Water so that we can confirm that water and sewer services are available and that our assets will be protected. Developments will typically follow one of three pathways;
Development Assessment,
Build Over Asset, or
Plan Stamping only.
2. We assess your development
Each proposed building or development is different and may require different conditions. These could be as simple as providing us with proof of your consent from council or it could mean that routine works are required to service your new development. Our Land Development Team will assess all Build Over Asset and Development Assessment applications and provide the requirements for each type of development. The Development Assessment application process incorporates any build over asset assessment in this application.
3. Complete the requirements of our letter
Once we have assessed your proposed development, we will provide you (or the applicant acting on your behalf) with a requirements letter detailing what you may need to do to obtain your Section 50 Compliance certificate from us. These requirements may range from a copy of your council consent, subdivision plans, complete Routine Works in order to protect our infrastructure and an environmental assessment. Developments may also be required to pay a Developer Charge, which will be detailed in the requirements letter.
4. You will receive a Section 50 compliance certificate
Once you have satisfied all of the requirements, we will issue you with a compliance certificate (Section 50 certificate) which means you will be able to connect your new development.
5. Connect your development
Once you have a Section 50 Certificate, you can connect the new development to our water and sewer assets via a connection application along with any associated metering arrangements.
Land development resources
Learn more about our land development processes, applications and fees and charges.