Private water supplies include: rainwater tanks, dams, bores, rivers, creeks and irrigation channels.
Depending on what you want to install or alter, you may need to talk with your local water authority, either Greater Western Water or Coliban Water, in addition to Council's Building and Planning teams, before commencing any works.
Installing a rainwater tank is a great way to conserve water.
Generally, a planning permit is not required to install a rainwater tank under 10,000 litres, unless the land is within the Heritage Overlay or Land Subject to Inundation Overlay. Rainwater tanks over 10,000 litres may require a permit, depending on the zones and overlays affecting your property and the proposed location of the rainwater tank.
To confirm whether a planning permit is required you can call our Statutory Planning team on (03) 5422 0333; or visit the Gisborne Administration Centre and speak to the planner on duty between 8.30am - 5pm Monday - Friday.
It is also important to consider the following before installing your tank:
- Tank overflow. A licensed plumber will be able to connect your tank overflow pipe to the legal point of stormwater discharge.
- Install lids/covers and filters to your tank to prevent contamination from leaves, animal/bird droppings; and importantly to keep children and animals out.
For more information, visit the Environmental Protection Authority Victoria - Alternative Water Supplies and Their Use
If you are planning to construct a dam on your property, you are likely to require a planning permit. For specific types of dams, such as larger dams or dams constructed on a waterway, you may require a licence under the Water Act instead of a planning permit; for more information about these licences visit Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
To confirm whether a planning permit is required you can call our Statutory Planning team on (03) 5422 0333; or visit the Gisborne Administration Centre and speak to the planner on duty between 8.30am - 5pm Monday - Friday.
If a planning permit is required visit our Planning forms and fees page to start your application.
We also encourage you to read: Dam safety management - Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
There are specific requirements under the Water Act that you must comply with if you want to extract water from bores, rivers, creeks and irrigation channels.
In most cases you will need to apply for a licence from your local water authority.