Applications without a change to our services

Do not commission drawings or plans at this stage of the process - they may be subject to change.

What you need to do:

It's important to understand which assets are located on (or near) your property. This is because the position of easements, pipe protection envelopes, zones of influence and access ways will restrict where you're allowed to build. Your submission may not be successful without this information. We recommend you complete the following steps:

1. Contact Before You Dig Australia (BYDA). This free national service will provide plans highlighting the approximate location of assets on your property.

2. You'll then need to confirm this information is accurate. For more information, please visit 'How do I find assets on my property'.

3. Finally, once you have confirmed the location of any existing assets, you can begin designing your proposal.

For more information, please visit 'Where can I build on my property' and 'What makes a good building plan'.

What you get in return:

Knowing where assets are located on your property, and what clearances are required, will give you a clear idea of whether your plans will meet our requirements.

What's next?

Please move on to 'Step 2: Engage a consultant'.

What you need to do:

Submissions must be accompanied by comprehensive plans and documentation that align with our suite of standards and guidelines. Due to certain regulatory requirements, this information is often tailored towards a specialised audience.

What you get in return:

Suitably qualified, and experienced, consultants are best placed to complete this application on your behalf.

What's next?

Once you have hired a consultant you should let them complete this submission process on your behalf. Otherwise, please move on to 'Step 2: Lodge a pre-DA network protection compliance (NPC) submission'.

What you need to do:

You need to ask your consultant (or ACT Planning) whether your project requires territory government planning approval. If it does, you will need pre-DA network protection compliance (NPC) from us. The NPC must be included in your planning application to the ACT Government.

If your project doesn't require DA approval, please move on to 'Step 4: Lodge a development application (DA) with the ACT Government'.

If you are increasing the gross floor area (extension, granny flat, second dwelling, etc), or the number of people living on your property, your project may be subject to a charge levied under the Water and Sewerage Capital Contributions Code. In this case, you must submit your plans, and our form, to hydraulicassetacceptance@iconwater.com.au. We will review them and get back to you if there are any issues with your proposal or provide you with a WSCC estimate.

Remember, you do not need to pay the charge at this point.

What you get in return:

Once our team receives your application, we will provide a response within ten (10) business days. Your submission will receive one of three (3) outcomes:

1. Acceptance

This means your NPC request meets our requirements and you are free to move on to 'Step 4: Lodge a development application (DA) with the ACT Government'.

2. Conditional acceptance

This means your NPC request meets our requirements so long as the conditions detailed in the acceptance are adhered to. You can now move on to 'Step 4: Lodge a development application (DA) with the ACT Government'.

3. Failure

This means your NPC request does not meet our requirements. We will provide comments explaining why your NPC request has not been accepted. To receive an acceptance, you must adjust the non-compliant elements of your plans (or documentation) before restarting the submission process* from 'Step 1: Gather information'.

* Restarting an application does not incur a fee.

What's next?

Once your application has received an acceptance, please move on to 'Step 4: Lodge a development application (DA) with the ACT Government'.

What you need to do:

Now that you have a pre-DA network protection compliance, you can lodge a development application (DA) through the ACT Government's development portal.

If your project doesn't require DA approval, please move on to 'Step 5: Lodge a BA network compliance'.

What you get in return:

If you successfully complete the ACT Government's process, you will receive development approval for your project.

Remember that this only gives you an approval for what you intend to build, not how you are going to build it.

What's next?

Once you have received development approval from the ACT Government (or if your project is exempt), please move on to 'Step 5: Lodge a BA network compliance'.

What you need to do:

If your proposal/drawings have any changes (or more detail than was submitted in step 3), you will need to lodge a new network protection compliance (NPC) submission*.
 

* The requirements for a new NPC are identical to those detailed in step 3.
 

The building approval process is managed by the ACT Government. Even if your proposal/drawings have not changed in any way a building certifier working on your behalf will typically lodge an NPC with us directly as part of their building certification activities.

Even if your proposal is development approval exempt and also building approval exempt, you are still required to submit an application to obtain network protection compliance certificate from Icon Water.

If you have already received an NPC from Icon Water, please move on to 'Step 6: Request a quotation'.

What you get in return:

If your project requires a new NPC, our team will once again review your application.

We will provide a response within ten (10) business days with one of three (3) outcomes*.

* The outcomes for a new NPC are identical to those detailed in step 3.

What's next?

Once your application has received an acceptance (or you have determined it doesn't require one), please move on to 'Step 6: Request a quotation'.

This step only applies to your project if you plan to:

- move a water meter less than 1.5m, and/or
- raise or lower a sewer manhole.

If your project will require changes to the water or wastewater network this is not the correct process for you. Please revisit the project applications and compliance page to select a more relevant process.

If none of the above applies to your project, please move on to 'Step 7: Undertake construction'.

What you need to do:

You must request a quotation for any works required of us and submit it to IconWaterQuotation@iconwater.com.au.

What you get in return:

If you are relocating your water meter less than 1.5m, we aim to provide you with a written quote within ten (10) business days of receiving your request.
 

If you are looking to adjust a sewer manhole, we aim to provide you with a written quote within twenty-five (25) business days of receiving your request. As part of the quotation we may need to assess the impact of adjusting the manhole.
 

Please be aware: Not all assets can be altered.

What's next?

Once you have received a quotation (or you have determined you don't require one), please move on to 'Step 7: Undertake construction'.

What you need to do:

Before you can start construction you must make sure you have:

- A network protection compliance (NPC) with any conditions.

- DA approval.

It is also a good idea to make sure your builder always has a copy of your accepted plans and approvals on site.

Approximately ninety (90) days before you are due to finish your project, please let us know so we can review and issue the WSCC Charge (this charge may have changed since our original estimate).

If you requested a quote, make sure you have paid it. Any delays to payment could impact completion time.

What you get in return:

We try to undertake works within fifteen (15) business days. However, this may change if your site is not ready.

As part of the quotation (step 6), we will tell you what works will be completed (including on the house side).

What's next?

Once our works are finished, and any charges have been paid, the submission process is complete.