Frequently Asked Questions

What is e-Developer?
What is a Section 73 Compliance Certificate?
I'm planning to build, develop or subdivide - do I need a Section 73 Compliance Certificate?
How does this relate to my Development Application?
How do I get a Section 73 Compliance Certificate?
What does a Water Servicing Coordinator do?
How long will it take to get my Certificate?
Are there any other costs?

What is e-Developer?

The e-Developer system is Sydney Water's electronic system for processing applications for Section 73 Compliance Certificates as well as adjustments or extensions to Sydney Water pipes and permanent road closures. It replaces the previously used application form and paper files and is more efficient as information is transferred electronically and simultaneously.

In conjunction with the implementation of this electronic system, Sydney Water has licensed a number of private Water Servicing Coordinators who will be the major point of contact for you on matters associated with your application.

What is a Section 73 Compliance Certificate?

A Section 73 Compliance Certificate is a certificate issued under S73 of the Sydney Water Act 1994. This is confirmation that you have:

built works (eg. extensions or amplifications to Sydney Water's systems) to ensure your development has correctly sized mains available for connection.
paid any Sydney Water charges.
completed any other requirements .

I'm planning to build, develop or subdivide - do I need a Section 73 Compliance Certificate?

You may need a Section 73 Compliance Certificate if your development or subdivision will impact on Sydney Water's systems. This can include:

creating a dual occupancy
subdividing land, or
constructing a residential, commercial or industrial building.

You do not need a Section 73 Compliance Certificate if you are constructing a house that is replacing an existing dwelling or altering/extending a house (but you should get your building plans checked and stamped at a Sydney Water office or Quick Check outlet).

How does this relate to my Development Application?

Your consent authority requires a Development Application unless your proposal is exempt. Most types of development affect Sydney Water's water and/or sewer systems. That authority may therefore require you to obtain a Section 73 Compliance Certificate.

You will need to obtain your certificate and to meet all conditions of consent before you receive final authority approval to occupy the building or register your subdivision at the Land Property and Information office.

How do I get a Section 73 Compliance Certificate?

Step 1. Engage a Water Servicing Coordinator for electronic processing

Select one or more Water Servicing Coordinators and discuss your project and potential costs with them. Engage one to act on your behalf to obtain your Section 73 Compliance Certificate.

Please provide your Coordinator with:

The current application fee shown in Ancillary charges.
A copy of the development/subdivision plan as approved or proposed. The scale must be 1:500 or 1:1000, showing area of each lot.
A copy of your Development Consent (You may apply for advice on what you need to do to obtain your Certificate before you have the Consent. However, an additional application fee will apply).

Note: Provision of the plan in electronic format and/or consent in electronic or scanned format may reduce costs.

If you are subdividing your land, please make sure that:

Your subdivision plan also shows the total gross area and total net area, is coordinated to Map Grid of Australia (MGA) and includes the existing property information and Deposited Plan number(s) together with the Pre-allocated Plan Numbers (PPN) issued by the Land and Property Management Authority (LPMA).
You provide your Coordinator with a copy of the LPMAs printed 'Notice of Pre-allocation Plan Number Issue'.

To learn more about Pre-allocated Plan Numbers read Changes to subdivision plan requirements for new developments (PDF - 976KB) .

If you plan an unsubdivided dual occupancy, you should consider requirements for future subdivision. This can avoid additional costs such as moving newly laid services.

Step 2. Receive a Notice of Requirements

You will receive a Notice of Requirements from your Coordinator in which Sydney Water will specify what you need to do to obtain your certificate. The notice will be based on an assessment of your proposal and its impact on Sydney Water's systems. It will specify:

works needed to ensure each lot in your development has a frontage to a water main and a connection point to a sewer main (private water/sewer service lines in easements or joint service arrangements are not acceptable).
charges payable (see Step 3).
any other requirements such as amplification or adjustment of the system or building over sewer protection.

If applying before receiving consent, you will receive an advice called a Feasibility Letter.

Step 3. Pay charges and build works

Charges may include:

developer charges.
contract administration fees.
reticulation recovery fees (your contribution towards reticulation works benefiting your development already provided by Sydney Water or another developer).

If works need to be built:

You must engage a licensed Coordinator to facilitate the design and construction of the works at your cost. At this point you may choose the Coordinator who lodged your application or you may select another coordinator to do this for you. You must sign the agreement covering the works included with your Notice and return both copies to Sydney Water through your Coordinator.

Your Coordinator then manages the works. Once works are completed satisfactorily, they are taken over as part of the Sydney Water system.

If works affect adjacent properties not owned by you, your Coordinator should negotiate access. You may need to pay compensation and/or look at ways to minimise impact. Allow considerable time for this process.

Step 4. Receive Section 73 Compliance Certificate

Once all requirements have been met, Sydney Water will issue a Section 73 Certificate to the Coordinator. This can then be provided to the consent authority.

What does a Water Servicing Coordinator do?

A Water Servicing Coordinator acts as your agent in dealing with Sydney Water. The Coordinator:

submits your Section 73 application and plans electronically to Sydney Water (as well as the other applications shown above)
returns Sydney Water's response to you identifying the requirements for servicing your proposal

If you are required to build works, the Coordinator:

project manages the design and construction of these works
submits other relevant Sydney Water applications and approvals

Your coordinator will charge for these services so ensure you discuss this before you finalise the engagement.

How long will it take to get my Certificate?

The Notice of Requirements is generally issued to the Coordinator within 30 days of receiving the application (may be longer if the development is complex). If works need to be built, certification will depend on how long the works take to be constructed and taken over by Sydney Water.

Are there any other costs?

Other Sydney Water fees you may need to pay include:

fees for checking building plans. There may be requirements for building over or adjacent to the sewer.
plumbing and drainage inspection and connection fees, eg watermain drilling costs.
Sydney Water trade waste charges.
fees for assessing watermains for fire fighting capabilities.