Utilities questions

An easement is a legal right that allows someone (usually a utility provider or neighbouring landowner) to use part of your land for a specific purpose. Easements are commonly used for underground services like sewer, stormwater, electricity, or water supply. They act as corridors for access and maintenance and can significantly affect where and how you build.

Common types of easements

• Sewer or stormwater easements: Allow councils or water authorities to access underground pipes for maintenance or upgrades.
• Electricity easements: Provide space for overhead or underground power lines.
• Right of carriageway: Allows access across your land to another property (e.g. shared driveways).
• Drainage easements: Protect natural or constructed water flow paths.

Building restrictions

• You usually cannot build over an easement, especially if it contains active infrastructure.
• Even lightweight structures like fences, sheds, or retaining walls may be restricted.
• If building is allowed, you may need special engineering, council consent, or indemnity agreements.
• Breaching easement conditions can lead to legal action, demolition orders, or denied occupancy certificates.

How to check for easements

• Title search: Easements are listed on your property’s Certificate of Title or Deposited Plan.
• Survey report: A licensed surveyor can map easement boundaries and confirm their location relative to your proposed build.
• Council or utility inquiry: Contact your local authority to clarify easement conditions and whether development is permitted nearby.

Bottom line: Easements are legal corridors that protect access to essential services. Before designing or building, always check your title and survey to identify easements and understand what restrictions apply. Ignoring them can lead to costly delays or legal issues.

Ask your builder, electricity connection provider and water provider how temporary services should be arranged for the site. Confirm the applications, authorised or licensed work, connection dates, charges and arrangements for permanent services. Record who applies, who pays and what is included in the contract. The procedure is provider-specific. Use the relevant authorised providers and licensed trades for regulated connection work.

Official sources:

• Energex temporary supply connection guide provider example
• Sydney Water service connections
• NSW Working as an owner-builder

General information only. Requirements vary by state or territory and change over time, so check the current rules for your location.

Step-by-step: Connecting electricity

• Apply to your electricity distributor

• The distributor owns and maintains the poles, wires, and infrastructure in your area (e.g. Essential Energy in regional NSW, Ausgrid in Sydney, Energex in Queensland).

• Your electrician will usually lodge a connection request on your behalf, including site plans and load requirements.

• The distributor assesses the site and issues a connection offer, which may include fees for new infrastructure or upgrades.

• Hire a licensed electrician

• A Level 2 Accredited Service Provider (ASP) is required for most new connections, especially if work involves the network (e.g. overhead or underground mains).

• The electrician installs the meter box, consumer mains, and service connection, ensuring compliance with the Electrical Safety Act and Australian Standards.

• Schedule inspections and energisation

• The distributor may inspect the work before energising the site.

• Once approved, they’ll connect power to your home, either overhead or underground.

• This step can take 10 to 20 business days, depending on workload and access.

• Set up your electricity retailer account

• Choose a retailer (e.g. Origin, AGL, EnergyAustralia) and set up an account for billing.

• The retailer will activate your meter and begin charging for usage once the site is energised.

Rural or off-grid properties

If your site is not connected to the grid, you may need:

• Solar power systems with battery storage

• Diesel generators as backup

• Off-grid approvals and electrical safety certification

These setups require careful planning and may involve additional environmental or bushfire safety considerations.

How long does it take?

• Allow 2 to 4 weeks from application to energisation.

• Delays can occur due to weather, access issues, or distributor scheduling.

Bottom line: Connecting electricity involves coordination between your electrician, the distributor, and your chosen retailer. It’s a regulated process that ensures your home is safely powered and ready for occupancy. Early planning and a qualified contractor are key to avoiding delays.

First check whether gas is available and allowed. Some places restrict new gas connections, for example the ACT for most new homes and Victoria for new homes needing a planning permit from 2024, so confirm before designing for gas appliances. If gas is available, your licensed gasfitter usually applies to the gas distributor for a connection, installs the pipework and appliances, and provides a compliance certificate. You then set up an account with a gas retailer. Bottled gas (LPG) is another option where mains gas is not available.

General information only. Requirements vary by state or territory and change over time, so check the current rules for your location.

Connecting sewer is a critical step in the building process. It involves applying to your local council or water authority, engaging a licensed plumber or drainer, and ensuring the work complies with national plumbing standards. The process can take several weeks, so it’s important to plan ahead, especially if you're building in a rural area where mains sewer may not be available.

Step-by-step: Connecting to sewer

Apply to the local utility or council: Submit an application with your site and building plans to the relevant water authority (e.g. Sydney Water, Tweed Shire Council, Unity water). They’ll assess your site and issue a connection approval or service diagram showing where the sewer mains are located.

Pay connection and inspection fees: Fees vary depending on your location, distance to the nearest sewer main, and whether infrastructure upgrades are needed. You may also be charged developer contributions if your build increases demand on the network.

Engage a licensed plumber or drainer: Only a qualified and licensed contractor can carry out sewer connections. They’ll install the drainage pipes, connect to the mains, and ensure the system complies with the Plumbing Code of Australia and local standards.

Schedule inspections before backfilling: The council or water authority must inspect the sewer installation before trenches are filled. Inspectors check pipe sizing, alignment, gradient, and materials to ensure proper flow and durability.

Final approval and certification: Once the work passes inspection, the authority issues a compliance certificate. This is required before your Occupation Certificate can be granted.

Rural and off-grid properties

If your site is not connected to mains sewer, you’ll need an approved on-site wastewater treatment system, such as:

• Septic tanks

• Aerated wastewater treatment systems (AWTS)

• Composting toilets

These systems require separate council approvals, environmental assessments, and regular maintenance. Some councils may also require soil testing or effluent disposal plans.

How long does it take?

• Allow up to 6 weeks for approvals, installation, and inspections, or longer in rural or complex sites.

• Delays can occur due to weather, access issues, or utility scheduling.

Bottom line: Sewer connection is a regulated process that requires council approval, licensed trades, and formal inspections. Whether you're connecting to mains or installing a septic system, early planning is essential to avoid delays and ensure compliance.

Connecting water is a key step in the building process. It involves applying to your local water authority or council, engaging a licensed plumber, and ensuring the installation meets national plumbing standards. The process can take several weeks, so early planning is essential, especially in areas where mains water may not be readily available.

Step-by-step: Connecting to mains water

Apply to the local utility or council: Submit an application with your site and building plans to the relevant water authority (e.g. Sydney Water, Tweed Shire Council, Unitywater). They’ll assess your site and provide a connection approval or service diagram showing where the water main is located.

Pay connection and inspection fees: Fees vary based on location, distance to the nearest main, and any required infrastructure upgrades. You may also be charged developer contributions if your build increases demand on the network.

Engage a licensed plumber: Only a qualified and licensed plumber can carry out water connections. They’ll install the water service line, connect to the mains, and ensure compliance with the Plumbing Code of Australia and local standards.

Schedule inspections before backfilling: The water authority or council must inspect the installation before trenches are filled. Inspectors check for correct pipe sizing, depth, materials, and backflow prevention.

Final approval and certification: Once the work passes inspection, the authority issues a compliance certificate. This is required before your Occupation Certificate can be granted.

Rural and off-grid properties

If your site is not connected to mains water, you’ll need an alternative water supply system, such as:

• Rainwater tanks

• Bore water (subject to licensing and testing)

• Carted water (delivered by tanker)

These systems may require separate council approvals, environmental assessments, and ongoing maintenance.

How long does it take?

• Allow up to 6 weeks for approvals, installation, and inspections, or longer in rural or complex sites.

• Delays can occur due to weather, access issues, or utility scheduling.

Bottom line: Water connection is a regulated process that requires council approval, licensed plumbing work, and formal inspections. Whether you're connecting to mains or installing tanks, early coordination helps avoid delays and ensures your home is ready for occupancy.

Step-by-step: Connecting NBN and phone services

• Confirm your NBN technology type

• Use the NBN address checker to find out what type of connection is available at your property:

• FTTP (Fibre to the Premises)

• FTTN (Fibre to the Node)

• FTTC (Fibre to the Curb)

• HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial)

• Fixed Wireless or Satellite (for rural areas)

• The technology type affects installation requirements, speeds, and lead times.

• Prewire during construction

• Your builder or electrician should install:

• Conduits and wall plates for data and phone outlets

• NBN utility box location (external and internal)

• Power points near the NBN equipment

• This ensures your home is “NBN-ready” and avoids costly retrofits later.

• Place an order with a retailer

• Choose a service provider and plan that suits your needs (speed, data, phone options).

• The retailer will coordinate with NBN Co to schedule installation and activation.

• You may need to be on-site for the technician visit, especially for FTTP or FTTC setups.

• Allow time for installation

• Lead times vary depending on location and technology, typically 2 to 4 weeks, but longer in rural or complex sites.

• If NBN infrastructure is not yet available, you may need to wait for network build or use interim solutions like mobile broadband.

What about phone services?

• Most modern phone services are delivered via VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), which runs over your NBN connection.

• Traditional copper landlines are being phased out in areas with active NBN.

• Your retailer can bundle phone services with your internet plan if needed.

Bottom line: You order NBN and phone services through a retailer, but it’s crucial to confirm your connection type early and ensure your builder prewires the home correctly. This avoids delays and ensures a smooth transition to high-speed internet once you move in.

Yes. Rainwater tanks and solar energy systems are widely supported across Australia and are often encouraged for sustainability and efficiency. However, there are specific rules around size, placement, plumbing, and approvals, especially for larger installations or properties in sensitive areas.

Rainwater tanks: What to know

Permitted in most zones: Councils generally allow rainwater tanks for residential use, especially when used for garden irrigation, toilet flushing, or laundry.

Size and location rules: Tanks must be placed within property boundaries, often behind the building line, and may need screening if visible from the street.

Plumbing requirements: If connected to internal fixtures i.e. toilets or washing machines, installation must comply with the Plumbing Code of Australia, including backflow prevention and water quality standards.

Approvals: Small tanks may be exempt from approval, but larger tanks or those in heritage or flood-prone areas may require a Development Application (DA) or council consent.

Solar panels: What to know

Small systems are usually exempt: Most rooftop solar installations (e.g. up to 10 kW) are considered exempt development and don’t require council approval if they meet height, setback, and visual impact rules.

Large arrays or ground-mounted systems: May require planning approval, especially if they exceed size thresholds, are in bushfire-prone zones, or affect neighbouring properties.

Electrical compliance: All systems must be installed by a Clean Energy Council-accredited installer and comply with Australian Standards for safety and grid connection.

Battery storage: Adding batteries may trigger additional fire safety or ventilation requirements, depending on location and system size.

Why install rainwater and solar?

• Reduce water and electricity bills

• Improve sustainability and energy independence

• Meet BASIX or NatHERS targets for new builds

• Increase property value and resilience

Bottom line: You can usually install rainwater tanks and solar panels without formal approval, but it depends on the size, location, and how they’re connected. Always check with your local council and use licensed professionals to ensure compliance.