> Background

Coliban Water owns hundreds of kilometres of pipes, pump stations and other types of assets that are used to provide service to our customers.

Assets can include sewerage pipes, drainage pipes and channels, water mains, manholes and anything else owned by Coliban Water.

Sometimes these assets, especially sewer mains, are located on private property.

Most assets are protected by easements or under the Water Act.

An easement is a right held by Coliban Water to make use of the land over the asset to conduct maintenance or replace the asset.

You can not build on any part of a Coliban Water easement, or if there is no easement on your title, you can not build within one metre of the edge of the asset without permission from Coliban Water.

> Further Information

Buildover Technical Guidelines > click here

Easement - Rights and responsibilities (PDF 115KB) > click here

> Application Forms

Application for works over assets and/or easements (this form can be submitted online) > click here

> Fees and Charges

An application fee of $142.80 will be charged to the Coliban Water account of the property.

These fees are subject to annual adjustments.

To check our current Schedule of Fees & Charges > click here

> Related Websites

Building Commission > click here

> Contact Us

Telephone: 1300 363 200

Email: landdevelopment@coliban.com.au

For further contact information > click here

Above: a sewer access chamber, an example of a protected asset

> Obtaining Permission

If you can not avoid building a structure over or near a Coliban Water asset or easement you are required to enter into a Build-Over Agreement.

A structure is anything including, but not limited to, shed, paving, carport, retaining wall, major landscaping, decking, veranda, tank, pool and so on (Building Class 1-10 of the Building Code of Australia).

Any activity that potentially restricts Coliban Water’s ability to maintain or replace assets requires permission.

Consent to build over a Coliban Water easement or asset is not a right or entitlement, but a privilege which is granted conditionally.

Each application is considered on an individual basis and Coliban Water may withhold its consent. If consent is given, then you are required to enter into an agreement with us that stipulates your rights and responsibilities of both parties.

A Build-Over Agreement is a legally binding agreement entered into by Coliban Water and the property owner and registered on the Coliban Water property file, giving consent for the structure to be built, yet protecting Coliban Water’s continuous right of access.

Coliban Water must protect its right of access to ensure that we are able to continue to provide a high level of service to our customers and able to maintain or replace our assets in the future.

The agreement also protects the market value and legal integrity of your property by providing clarity of responsibilities.

To apply for a Build-Over Agreement, you have to submit the design of the proposed structure with the application form. An application fee will be charged for all approved structures.

The application will be processed within ten business days.