Development Portal
Apply for connections, disconnections or alterations to our network
Sign in or RegisterApplication process
Approvals for subdivision projects or extensions can be complex because they typically require modifications to the existing water and sewerage mains.
You need to apply for:
- A Connection Approval. In this initial step we assess your entire development, including the proposed timing for each stage (if applicable). After considering our current and future network demand, we decide whether to approve your application and reserve network capacity for your project.
- A Network Works Approval. If your development requires alterations, extensions or upgrades to our infrastructure, we need to approve your proposed plans for network construction. You are not permitted to start construction until you have approval for network works.
A Registered Certifier from our Accreditation Register helps you to achieve approvals by preparing, assessing and submitting your applications to us for approval.
Quick links
Before applying to connect:
Because subdivision projects can be complex, we recommend submitting a Pre-Lodgement Application via the Development Portal before starting the Connection Application.
This free service saves you time by providing upfront advice that helps you understand what’s involved in applying to connect, and what supporting information is required to lodge a successful application.
Sign in to the Development Portal
A Registered Certifier helps you navigate each of these phases and get your project to market quicker.
For connection applications they assist with:
- Preparing and submitting your connection application
- Identifying allowable yield for the site
- Finding any existing approvals on the site or on adjacent sites
- Determining whether the existing water and sewer network can accommodate your development, or if additional infrastructure is required
- Providing design advice on Unitywater-approved allowable servicing solutions
- Calculating the demand your development imposes on our network
- Calculating Infrastructure Charges payable with development
- Preparing your Certificate of Completion, for Unitywater’s approval.
If network works are required, they also help with:
- Preparing and submitting your Network Works Application
- Conducting an on-site pre-start meeting on our behalf
- Ensuring your contractor understands Unitywater’s requirements
- Flagging and fixing any issues that could delay your approval
- Completing final inspections
- Conducting final testing of constructed works
- Arranging live connections
- Managing handover of network infrastructure to Unitywater.
Once you choose an Accredited Entity from our Accreditation Register, they will allocate the right type of certifier to best assist with your project.
What you need to get started:
To submit your application for a residential subdivision with single land release, you will need:
- the land owner’s consent
- consent from owners of any nearby property affected by the proposed work, e.g. if access is required
- a street plan that adequately locates the property for this connection
- subdivision and development plan (if available).
If your development requires work on the water or sewer mains, you also require network works approval for your development. This application details the proposed alterations, modifications or extensions to the water and sewer mains network you plan to undertake. You will need:
- network works design calculations
- network works design drawings
- networks analysis reports for water and sewerage (if required).
If you are considering a large scale, complex development that could place high demands on Unitywater networks, we may also require additional reports and plans. These include:
- a supporting report on the proposed development
- servicing strategies for the development
- networks analysis reports
- a subdivision development staging plan
- a network staging plan (master plan).
Before applying, you’ll need to consider if approval is required to build or carry out work near Unitywater’s infrastructure.
5 phases of connecting to our network:
If your subdivision involves extensions or modifications to our mains infrastructure, there are five approval phases to work through before handing over the assets to Unitywater to maintain: Planning, Application, Construction, Connection and Final Acceptance. If network extensions or modifications aren’t required, the Construction and Final Acceptance phases do not apply.
For larger subdivisions, depending on your land release timeline, different stages of your project may be going through different phases of approval. For example, your planned initial land release may be in the Construction phase, while subsequent stages are still going through Planning or Application.
In this phase you will be planning your development, preparing plans and submitting documents to council and Unitywater for approval.
We recommend submitting a Pre-Lodgement Application via the Development Portal before you start the connection application.
This service guides you on how to submit a complete application and ensures your application is assessed in the shortest time possible. It provides upfront advice that helps you understand what’s involved in applying to connect, and what supporting information is required to lodge a successful application.
What you need
- Pre-Lodgement advice from council, if received
- Approvals from council, if received
- Development plans/designs.
In this phase your Registered Certifier submits your Connection Application, which includes documentation and plans for your overall development. They will also submit a Network Works Application, including details for each stage of your development.
What you need:
- Approvals from council
- Development plans/designs.
This phase only applies to developments that involve you or your contractors making extensions or modifications to our mains infrastructure. The construction phase of each stage starts with a pre-start meeting. A Major Connection Certifier and a Construction Certifier work together during this phase to monitor your construction and prevent or rectify any issues, ensuring all work is carried out to Unitywater’s satisfaction.
During construction, you may need to request a variation to the approved plans. Your Major Connection Certifier can manage this for you and may be able to approve some variations without having to get an approval from Unitywater.
If you intend an early release of your sub-division so you can sell blocks 'off the plan', you can request a Provisional Certificate of Completion. This requires a certain minimum level of completion and a higher bond payment, which is repaid once your development is finished. Full details can be found in the Connections Administration Manual.
What you need:
- Approvals from council and Unitywater
- Final survey plan
- Payment of Infrastructure Charges
- Payment of live connection fee
- A contractor to complete the works.
Minor variations will be approved by an inspector. Larger amendments will require approval by a Unitywater engineer.
This will only be possible once you reach a certain stage of completion and pay of an uncompleted works bond. Detailed requirements can be found in the Connection Administration Manual.
All developments, small or large, involve through a live connection phase, referred to as the On Maintenance phase. In this phase you pay your Infrastructure Charges and receive your Certificate of Completion for the stage.
A Major Connection Certifier and a Construction Certifier work together to assist with arranging live connections, final inspections, network testing and managing handover of infrastructure to Unitywater.
Live connections to our water network are carried out exclusively by our Private Works team. Your contractor is able to make a connection to our sewer network, under the supervision of a Major Connection Certifier and Construction Certifier. This gives you greater control over the time it takes to get connected.
If your development does not involve network works, this process applies:
Do this by submitting a Connection Services Application via the Development Portal.
This is undertaken by our Private Works team.
What you need:
- A final survey plan
- Payment of Infrastructure Charges
- Payment of live connection fee.
If your development does involve network works, this process applies:
Which will be returned after you have successfully completed the maintenance period.
If defects are found these need to be rectified and the work re-inspected.
This is undertaken by our Private Works team.
This is usually a 12-month period.
This phase only applies to developments that require network works, and marks the handover of the network assets and their maintenance to Unitywater. Your Certifier initiates this on a stage-by-stage basis by submitting an Off Maintenance Application to Unitywater when the On Maintenance period has ended.
Once the works have been inspected to the satisfaction of a Construction Certifier, we return your bond, and this stage/s of your development is complete.
If defects are detected, they need to be rectified and re-inspected before Final Acceptance is complete.
What you need:
- Inspection by a Construction Certifier
- Your certifier submits an Off Maintenance Application.
If any defects are identified you must remedy them and request a re-inspection.
Your development is complete.
