Stormwater Bylaw 2015 Amendment

THIS CONSULTATION IS CLOSED.

This consultation period closed on 27 October 2021. Thank you for having your say.

 We received 79 pieces of feedback.

Key themes included:

• majority support to specify controls, codes of practice, or guidelines for managing the public stormwater network and private stormwater systems
• majority support to require approvals for modifications or newly engineered wastewater overflow points into the stormwater network
• majority support to update Bylaw wording, format, and definitions to make it easier to understand.

Read the feedback report for more details on the feedback given.

Changes made in response to feedback

As a result of your feedback, we decided on 28 April 2022 to adopt the proposed changes with amendments to:

• prioritise public safety and include related information notes to clarify processes on restricting parts of the public stormwater network
• clarify definitions and ‘permitted activities’ in alignment with the Unitary Plan
• add related information notes to clarify decision-making process for controls

What happens next

 The changes come into effect on 30 May 2022.

What the current bylaw does

The current Stormwater Bylaw 2015 helps us to regulate land drainage and stormwater management. It does this by protecting the public stormwater network from damage, misuse, interference and nuisance, and ensuring effective maintenance and operation of private stormwater systems.

How the bylaw helps

We make rules for managing and developing the public stormwater network.

These activities must obtain approval and comply with conditions, for example, when, where and how the stormwater network is developed.

Private systems that connect to the public stormwater network also affect the function. Hence, the rules help ensure the private systems are well-maintained and do not cause problems to the public stormwater network.

Improving the current bylaw

A review of the current Stormwater Bylaw 2015 was completed in July 2020.

After considering the review findings, we are proposing to amend the Stormwater Bylaw 2015 to improve its effectiveness and efficiency.

What we are proposing

Our main proposals include:

• specifying controls, codes of practice or guidelines for managing the public stormwater network and private stormwater systems;
• considering additional requirements for vesting of public assets and approvals under the bylaw, including the ability to assess the carbon lifecycle associated with the construction and operation of new stormwater network assets;
• requiring approvals for modifications or new engineered wastewater overflow points into the stormwater network to assist with the protection of public health and safety when the overflow points activate;
• restricting or excluding certain activities for parts of the stormwater network to protect public health and safety from activities such as fishing or kayaking in stormwater treatment devices like ponds and wetlands;
• updating the bylaw wording, format, and definitions.