Water assist
Not sure where to start with your water licence or approval enquiry?
Water Assist is an easy step-by-step tool to help you find the information and support you need for water licencing and approvals.
About controlled activity
Activities undertaken on waterfront land, are defined by the Water Management Act 2000 as controlled activities
Waterfront land includes the bed of rivers, lakes, or estuaries, and land on each side within 40 metres of a riverbank.
Controlled activities include:
- erecting a building
- carrying out works including laying pipes and cables in a watercourse, the construction of bridges, roads, control measures, sea walls, and more
- removing material from waterfront land: including vegetation, rocks, sand, gravel and more
- depositing material on waterfront land: including gravel or fill
- any activity that affects the quantity or flow of water in a water source
- vegetation management.
To determine if a proposed work or activity is on waterfront land and if it requires a controlled activity approval, use the waterfront land e-tool.
About controlled activity approvals
A controlled activity approval allows you to carry out certain types of activities on waterfront land as defined by the Water Management Act 2000. The purpose of approvals is to protect and restore waterways for water users, the community and the environment.
Most controlled activities also need approval from a local council. If this is the case, you must lodge what is known as an integrated development application with that council, which is then referred to the department.
The first step is to determine if your proposed activity is on waterfront land.
To do this, use the waterfront land e-tool below. If your activity is on waterfront land, you then need to determine if you need approval for that activity because not all activities on waterfront land need a controlled activity approval. The Hydro Line spatial data and the information on controlled activity approval exemptions and guidelines will help you do this. See below.
To apply for a controlled activity approval, or manage and existing approval, including integrated development referrals and security bonds see: Apply and manage controlled activity approvals
Guidelines for controlled activity approvals
The following guidelines explain how to design controlled activities and prepare the right documents, including applications and plans, to meet the requirements of the Water Management Act 2000.
Documents
Riparian corridors (PDF, 275 KB) – The primary guidelines for controlled activity approvals that detail the requirements for activities on waterfront land including the required width of riparian corridors for watercourses, estuaries and wetlands, allowable works in or near water bodies, rules for applying offsets and merit assessment.
In-stream works (PDF, 113.87 KB) – guidelines specifying the requirements for design and construction of works within a watercourse or on waterfront land including details of plans and documents that must be lodged with application for approval.
Outlet structures (PDF, 247.85 KB) – guidelines specifying the requirements for design and construction of stormwater outlet structures to a watercourse including a sample concept design.
Vegetation management plans (PDF, 273.14 KB) – guidelines specifying the requirements for riparian corridor revegetation including the preparation of a vegetation management plan.
Watercourse crossings (PDF, 259.62 KB) – guidelines specifying the requirements for design and construction of watercourse crossings including details of plans and documents that must be lodged with application.
Laying pipes and cables in watercourses (PDF, 113.03 KB) – guidelines specifying the requirements for design and construction of pipes and cables in or across watercourses and adjoining waterfront land for utilities such as sewerage, water, gas, electricity and communications; and details of plans and documents that must be lodged with application for approval.
Apply and manage controlled activity approvals
There are 6 types of applications for Controlled Activity Approvals. Click on the buttons below for information on each approval and instructions on how to apply.