Assessable development requires a development permit and approval from the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA).

You must also apply to SARA if you want to extend, change or cancel a development permit.

• Find out if your planned development is considered assessable development.

Assessment criteria

The benchmarks against which developments are assessed can be found in the State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAP). The codes relating to water developments are available as separate documents below.

Ensure your application addresses each of the performance criteria in the applicable code to avoid delays.

Taking or interfering with water – State code 10

This code covers the assessable development of works for taking or interfering with water. This includes works that:

• take or interfere with water in a watercourse, lake or spring
• take or interfere with underground water
• take overland flow, where applicable.

For help preparing a development application that meets the requirements of this code, refer to State code 10 of the current SDAP version and associated guidance material.

Removal of quarry material – State code 15

This code covers assessable development of works for the removal of quarry material from watercourses or lakes. For help preparing a development application that meets the requirements of this code, refer to State code 15 of the current SDAP version and associated guidance material.

Category 2 and 3 levees

Works related to Category 2 and 3 levees are considered assessable development. For more information about assessment requirements, read about constructing and modifying levee banks.

How to apply

Application forms are available from the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning (DSDILGP). You will need to use DA Form 1 (Development Application).

SARA provides the single agency lodgement and assessment point for applications.

DSDILGP coordinates the integrated assessment through SARA. Technical agencies, for example the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, provide SARA with technical advice on whether the application complies with the relevant state code.

Who to contact

For more information about assessable development, contact DSDILGP.

Also consider...

• Read about state planning laws.
• Find out more about which overland flow works require certification.
• Read about bore construction standards and licensing requirements.
• Find out more about constructing and modifying levee banks.

These works do not require a development permit. You do not need anything in writing before starting the activity, provided you have carried out a self-assessment to ensure you comply with the relevant accepted development requirements.

• Find out how to check whether your planned development is considered accepted development.

Notification requirements

The owner of land on which the works are constructed must notify us of the works within 60 business days of completion. Notification requirements are outlined in the relevant accepted development documents.

Overland flow

For operational works to take overland flow water that are identified as accepted development in the Water Regulation 2016, the following requirements apply.

Stock or domestic purposes and limited capacity works

Constructing works to take overland flow water for stock or domestic purposes, or works that have a limited capacity can be accepted development. Works must comply with the accepted development requirements.

• Accepted development requirements for take of overland flow water for stock or domestic purposes, or using limited capacity works (PDF, 792KB).

Carrying out an environmentally relevant activity

Works undertaken to satisfy the requirements of an environmental authority or a development permit for carrying out an environmentally relevant activity can be accepted development. Works must comply with the accepted development requirements.

• Accepted development requirements for taking overland flow water to satisfy the requirements of an environmental authority or a development permit for carrying out an environmentally relevant activity (PDF, 834KB).

Underground water – subartesian bores

The construction of some subartesian bores, or the replacement of authorised subartesian bores can be accepted development. Works must comply with the accepted development requirements.

• Accepted development requirements for subartesian bores or replacement bores. (PDF, 924KB)

Levee banks

Works related to Category 1 levees can be acceptable development. Works must comply with the accepted development requirements.

• Accepted development requirements for the construction of new levees or the modification of existing levees (PDF, 965KB).

For more information about their construction, modification and assessment, read about constructing and modifying levee banks.

Also consider...

• Read about state planning laws.
• Find out more about the management of overland flow.
• Read about bore construction standards and licensing requirements.
• Find out more about constructing and modifying levee banks.

This type of development does not require an application under state planning laws, but you may need an authority to take or interfere with water.

• Find out how to check whether your planned development is considered accepted development.

Watercourse water

Works to take watercourse water where there are no requirements may include:

• like-for-like replacement of pumps – this causes minimal additional disturbance because much of the required infrastructure, such as pipes and concrete stands, is already in place
• installation of new pumps where the water entitlement is managed under a resource operations licence or interim resource operations licence – these are usually clearly specified with conditions such as a rate of take or daily/weekly/monthly water extraction limit
• infrastructure associated with taking water for certain low-risk activities under the Water Act 2000.

Underground water

Works to take underground water where there are no requirements may include:

• replacement bores within 10 metres of the original bore
• monitoring bores
• water bores for determining the sustainable extraction rate of water for an aquifer
• water bores for taking underground water for stock and domestic purposes
• water bores for taking subartesian water for a purpose other than stock and domestic use, that are not constructed within a setback distance defined in the Water Regulation 2016.

Who to contact

For more information about works that are accepted development, contact your local business centre for the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers.

Also consider...

• Read about state planning laws.
• Find out more about the management of overland flow.
• Read about bore construction standards and licensing requirements.
• Find out more about constructing and modifying levee banks.