Melbourne Water : Planning and Building : Construction near Melbourne Water Assets : What You can Build Over a Drain, Easement Or Other Assets

What You can Build Over a Drain, Easement Or Other Assets

What can you build NEAR (within 5 metres) a Melbourne Water asset?

Approval is required to build the following structures near (within 5 metres) an easement, pipe or other asset controlled by Melbourne Water:

Houses
Garages
Verandahs
Sheds
Car ports
Decking

Swimming pools
Landscaping / excavating

Planting

Fences
Driveways
Demolition and earthworks
Any type of structure / works

Please note: This does not preclude the need to obtain other relevant approvals and operation of other legislations e.g. SBO, LSIO.

What can you build OVER a Melbourne Water asset?

Residential premises - Permanent structures must not be built over Melbourne Water assets
Industrial and commercial premises – Structures of any kind are NOT permitted to be built over Melbourne Water assets.

You may need a build over agreement with Melbourne Water

A legally binding build over agreement between the property owner and Melbourne Water gives consent for the structure to be built but protects Melbourne Water’s continuous right of access. Further details will be provided upon assessment of the proposal by Melbourne Water.

More information

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Building Over a Drain, Easement or Other Assets