Living and working near water infrastructure

Seqwater has an extensive network of dams, plants, pipelines and associated infrastructure across SEQ. To ensure these assets are protected, we have developed guidelines for you to follow if you are living or working near our infrastructure.

Damaging or interfering with our infrastructure may impact essential water services to you, your neighbours and the local community. There is also the potential to cause significant property damage, injury or even fatalities given the very high pressures contained within.

Whether you are a property developer, contractor or landholder, you may require approval from Seqwater before working over or near our infrastructure.  This includes:

  • using heavy plant or machinery
  • undertaking earthworks or changing the surface levels
  • building a structure
  • constructing a driveway
  • road works
  • installing pipes, cables and other services.

Resources

What to do in an emergency

We have plans and procedures in place to cover all types of emergencies at our water treatment plants, pump stations and reservoirs. Our priority is to keep our workers and the communities we operate in safe. Our workers are trained in what to do in an emergency and we will work closely with emergency services if a situation does arise.

During the water treatment process, a number of different chemicals are used to treat the raw water. The types and quantities of chemicals at water treatment plants vary depending on a range of factors, including raw water quality. Chemicals such as chlorine are used at some of our plants. We have strict procedures for chemical use and safety. In the unlikely event of a chemical-related incident, emergency services will instruct you to:

  • Go inside immediately
  • Close all windows and doors
  • Switch off air-conditioners and exhaust fans
  • Tune into your local radio station and wait for further instructions from emergency services.

For more information about what to do in an emergency, visit qfes.qld.gov.au

If you have further questions about living and working near Seqwater assets, please contact the Seqwater Engagement team via [email protected] 

Resources

Before you get started

We recommend you contact the Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) service on 1100, between 8am and 5pm weekdays, or online at www.1100.com.au.  DBYD will help you identify if Seqwater has infrastructure in the location you are planning to work.
 

How to get approval

  1. Check our consent guidelines to determine whether you need to complete an application for your proposed works.  These guidelines ensure our infrastructure is protected under Section 192 of the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 (Qld).
  2. Download and complete a consent application. 
  3. Submit your application, along with a copy of your plans in relation to our infrastructure, via email or post
  4. We will review your application and advise of any additional information required and any applicable fees. Once we receive all required information and fees, we will assess your application and provide a response within 20 business days.

Submit your application to: 
Mail PO Box 328 Ipswich QLD 4305
Email [email protected]
Call 1300 737 928

Disclaimer

The consent guidelines provide general background and information about Seqwater’s requirements when work is proposed to be carried out near Seqwater infrastructure. Any consent to work provided by Seqwater does not alter or remove any obligation the applicant has to obtain consent or approval for work from other authorities or agencies. Examples given within the consent guidelines are suggestions only and not inclusive of all tasks.

Easements

What is an easement?

An easement is a legal right or set of rules attached to land, which gives another party (such as Seqwater) the right to use the land within the easement for a specific purpose. Seqwater acquires easements over land to ensure that we can protect, access, operate and maintain our water infrastructure that is located on private land. 

Seqwater does not permit landowners to erect permanent structures within its easements. It is important that we can easily access our water infrastructure and infrastructure is not damaged or interfered with. 

Easements are legally enforceable under the Land Act 1994 (Qld) and the Land Title Act 1994 (Qld). 

Typically, who owns and is responsible for managing an easement?

The landowner is the owner of the land containing the easement.  Seqwater only holds a registered interest over or under the land. 

The landowner is responsible for maintaining the easement land.  For example, if you would like simple grounds maintenance such as mowing or weed removal on the easement land, this would be your responsibility as the landowner.  

An Seqwater easement is likely to contain high-pressure water infrastructure, as such, written consent from Seqwater is required prior to any proposed work within the Seqwater easement.   

Refer to the specific terms and conditions of the easement to further understand your responsibilities as the landowner. 

How do I know if my property has an easement?

There are numerous ways you can identify whether there is an easement on your property:  

For further information about Seqwater easements, contact [email protected] or 1300 SEQWATER (1300 737 928).