Water and Sewerage Capital Contributions Code
The Water and Sewerage Capital Contribution (WSCC) Code formalises arrangements for contributions that developers pay towards future water and sewerage infrastructure upgrades that are necessitated by increasing housing and other development in established suburbs (‘within precinct’).
Under the WSCC Code, the cost of water and sewerage infrastructure upgrades in established areas is shared between developers (when increasing the number of people using water and sewer assets as a result of the development) and Icon Water.
Prior to the WSCC Code being introduced, there was a “last person standing rule” whereby the development (no matter how big or small) that triggered an upgrade of our assets was required to pay the full cost of new water and sewerage infrastructure.
Capital contributions for developments within precinct (the orange coloured areas on the precinct map) ensure that developers pay a share of the infrastructure costs necessary to accommodate population growth in established suburbs. This achieves two things: first, it ensures that existing customers are not disadvantaged (with higher costs or reduced amenity) by the connection of additional customers to the network; and second, it provides a price signal to prospective developers that is broadly reflective of the infrastructure costs associated with urban infill developments across the Territory.
If your development is not within precinct, you will not need to pay a capital contribution.
How does the WSCC Code apply to your proposed development?
All developments that are within precinct are subject to the WSCC Code, regardless of what type of development it is – from adding a second dwelling on a residential block to a large-scale land division. There are no exemptions from the application of the WSCC Code within the WSSC Code itself.
Mr Fluffy blocks
Icon Water has waived capital contributions charges for the first development after a block has been surrendered under the ACT Government’s ‘Loose Fill Asbestos Insulation Eradication Scheme Buyback Program’ and placed on the ‘Affected Residential Premises Register’; also known as Mr Fluffy (surrendered blocks). The waiver only applies to the first development on a ‘surrendered block’. All subsequent development on a ‘surrendered block’ is required to pay the precinct charge for the net increase in Equivalent Population (EP).
There is no waiver for development on a Mr Fluffy block that is not a ‘surrendered block’.
Which precinct charge applies to your proposed development?
The precinct charge for the 2024–25 financial year is $987 per net increase in Equivalent Population (EP) attributable to your development. This charge is reviewed annually.
The precinct charge and precinct map that applies to a development is based on the lodgement date of the Development Application (DA):
- Applications lodged on or after 1 July 2024 are considered using the 2024-25 precinct charge of $987 per net increase in EP and the 2024-25 precinct map.
- Applications lodged prior to 1 July 2024 are considered using the precinct charge and precinct map that was in place at the time of DA lodgement (interest may also be payable).
How is the capital contribution charge for your development calculated?
For all development, please refer to our online calculator to see how the contribution charge is calculated.
Are you in the highlighted precinct map area?
Use the calculator to estimate the charge
Please note: Additional charges for smaller water and sewerage assets still apply as per the Icon Water Miscellaneous Fees and Charges.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to do?
1. If your proposed development (land division, second dwelling, new house, etc) may increase the equivalent population of your property (e.g. number of people living, visiting or working there) you will need to submit a ‘Design Form Pack’ including a plan showing your existing and proposed water and sewer connection (or an ‘External Services Plan’) for In-Principle acceptance.
2. We will identify whether your development falls into the scheme and will write you a letter to confirm if a contribution charge is applicable based on the information you provide.
3. If we confirm that a charge is payable, you will need to submit your External Services Plan for Detail Design. We will verify the charge and write to you with an estimate of the proposed change in EP and an estimate of the charge.
4. Contact us 90 days before you expect to complete your development or you require connection to our network. You can either phone us on 02 6248 3111 (option 3) or email us at wscc@iconwater.com.au and let us know if anything has changed from what you planned to do.
Using your final constructed works we will recalculate the contribution charge and send you an invoice.
This invoice must be paid before we can connect you to the water and/or sewerage networks.
What if I don't submit an External Services Plan?
On receipt of an application, Icon Water will consider if the development is ‘within precinct’ under the WSSC Code and whether a capital contributions charge may be payable.
If you have lodged a building application through our portal and have not previously spoken to us in regard to the WSCC Code, we may decline your application as being non-compliant.
We will advise you to lodge an External Services Plan. Once you have received our response to your External Services Plan, you can then lodge a new building application through our portal.
Where do I get more information?
See the FAQs Capital Contributions Code for all the information about how it works. Otherwise, talk to us on 02 6248 3111 (option 3) or email wscc@iconwater.com.au