Guidelines for TasWater Development Assessment
TasWater has published new guidelines for development assessment to clearly define our role in the building and plumbing approvals process.
The guidelines support the Building Act 2016 and provide a consistent framework for assessing development proposals that may affect TasWater’s water and sewerage infrastructure. They are intended to improve clarity, reduce unnecessary approvals, and support more efficient development outcomes.
These guidelines replace the previous Certificate for Certifiable Work (CCW) guideline and reflect our risk‑based approach to development assessment.
Purpose of the guidelines
The guidelines are intended to:
- Support streamlined approvals for low‑risk developments: Developments that do not impact TasWater’s infrastructure or operations may proceed directly to council for building or plumbing approval, without requiring TasWater consent.
- Clearly define when TasWater assessment is required: Where a development does require our assessment, the guidelines set out the required documentation and plan details to support timely and effective assessment.
- Align with legislative requirements: The guidelines align with the Building Act 2016 and the Water and Sewerage Industry Act 2008, clarifying TasWater’s role within the broader approvals framework.
Scope of the guidelines
The guidelines address:
- Definitions of certifiable work and circumstances where TasWater consent is required
- Criteria for developments that are exempt from TasWater assessment
- Submission requirements for Certificates for Certifiable Work (CCWs)
- Assessment timeframes, applicable fees and assessment processes
- Considerations relating to trade waste, proximity to TasWater infrastructure, and water and sewer service connections
Accessing the guidelines
The most current version of the Guidelines for TasWater Development Assessment is available for download here.
What are certifiable works?
The Guideline links the new approvals framework in the Building Act 2016 to the definition of certifiable work in the Water and Sewerage Industry Act 2008. S.56TA of the Water and Sewerage Industry Act 2008 defines certifiable work, for building work or plumbing work, and in summary requires a CCW for any work that impacts on TasWater.
In accordance with “certifiable works” definition, the following works are NOT Certifiable Works by virtue that ALL of the following are satisfied:
- The works will not increase the demand for water supplied by TasWater
- The works will not increase or decrease the amount of sewage or toxins that is to be removed by, or discharged into, TasWater’s sewerage infrastructure
- The works will not require a new connection, or a modification to an existing connection, to be made to TasWater’s infrastructure
- The works will not damage or interfere with TasWater’s works
- The works will not adversely affect TasWater’s operations
- Are not within 2m of TasWater’s infrastructure and are outside any TasWater easement
- The LISTMap has been checked to confirm the location of TasWater infrastructure
- A water meter is in place, or has been applied for to TasWater, for the subject property
If works are not certifiable works then a CCW is not required.
Excluded works
Further, works have been identified that fall within the definition of Certifiable Work under the Water and Sewerage Industry Act 2008 (the Act) that are of such low risk/complexity as to not require a Certificate for Certifiable Works (CCW), being:
- New connections assessed via other processes (e.g. planning referrals or engineering design approvals); and
- Demolition works where TasWater services are not impacted.
Certificates for Certifiable Work
TasWater must assess certifiable works, via an application for a Certificate for Certifiable Work. The fee for a CCW is dependent on the works complexity, the relevant fee can be found in the Pricing and Servicing Plan, as approved by the Economic Regulator. If TasWater determines that there is no impact on its infrastructure or operations following a CCW application, you will be advised to either withdraw your application or (if required), an Exemption certificate will be issued for a fee as approved by the Economic Regulator.
An Exemption for CCW will relieve the Permit Authority for the need for subsequent Certificates of Compliance.
TasWater has 14 calendar days for building and 10 calendar days for plumbing only to reply with any required conditions and advice. TasWater has 7 calendar days to request further information if required. Where further information is sought the ‘clock stops’ and the timeframe recommences when satisfactory additional information is received.