Plumbing Approvals

All plumbing work in Queensland is regulated by the State Government legislative requirements.

Contact our plumbing officers for information about plumbing approvals on (07) 54244000.

Fast- Track Plumbing Applications

Under Section 40 (1) of Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 (Fast-track opt-out declaration for local government area) Somerset Regional Council has decided by resolution to op-out of fast-track plumbing applications.

All applications will be assessed under the standard application process.

Somerset Regional Council timeframes for plumbing approval will be 10 business days as stated in Section 45 of Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019.

This timeframe starts when the plumbing application is properly made with all documents listed in Schedule 6 of Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019 and application fees are received.

The resolution is available in the Council meeting minutes dated 12 June 2019 and available on Council’s web site.

Plumbing Legislation

Plumbing is regulated by Council under the current State Government legislation, available for viewing on the Department of Housing and Public Works website.

• Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018
• Standard Plumbing and Drainage Regulation 2019
• Queensland Plumbing and Wastewater Code

Lodging Your Application

Your application can be lodged over the counter at any of the Council Customer Services Centres in Esk, Kilcoy or Lowood. Alternatively, you can lodge the application electronically via email by sending them to mail@somerset.qld.gov.au or via mail to PO Box 117, Esk Qld 4312.

Your application will only be accepted if it is made with the correct application form, appropriate plans or reports and the applicable fee.

You can find the form here

You will find our Building, Plumbing Drainage fees here

Documents with Plumbing Applications

Your application should have enough documentation to show us what is proposed. The level of documentation will differ from proposal to proposal. As a minimum your application should be lodged with a set of drawings drafted an accredited on-site sewerage designer.

Our Information on Provision of Sewerage, Sanitary Systems, Storm Water Drainage and Water Supply Guideline can be found here

Plumbing Approval and Inspections         

Approval times are generally within five days of lodgement.

Approvals are normally mailed to the applicant and the owner.

During construction progressive inspections are carried out to ensure that your asset is sound:

• Under slab drainage Inspection
• Drainage rough-in Inspection.
• Water rough-in Inspection.
• Final Inspection (finals on plumbing/drainage).

Booking Inspections          

Please phone (07) 5424 4000, 24 hours notice is required.

Approval Permit number is required to be quoted when you book an inspection.

Other Plumbing related topics

On-site Sewerage Systems

To treat and dispose of sewage generated from a premise in an un-sewered area an on-site sewerage facility (OSSF) is required. These systems are also known as HSTP or AWTS etc

The system, which includes the land application area, must be located within your property boundaries. OSSF include all types of wastewater treatment and land application, such as septic tanks, aerated wastewater treatment systems, biofilter systems, composting toilets, and activated sludge systems. These systems are required in areas not serviced by sewerage infrastructure. More details on OSSF can be found here

Rainwater Tanks

Outside a declared water area, each new residential, commercial and industrial development must have rainwater tank(s) with a minimum storage capacity of 45,000 litres.

A rural development connected to a potable bore water supply may reduce the volume of the rain water tank to a 13,500 litre (3,000 gallon) tank.

Inside a declared water area, it is the owner’s choice to install rainwater tanks to new or existing homes, as Somerset Regional Council has not opted-in to mandate the use of QDC Part 4.2.

Backflow Devices

It is important that the technical requirement of backflow prevention to the reticulated supply be part of the plumbing arrangements. This is to prevent the return of any water from the private property to the water reticulation system. This is achieved by installation of backflow devices on the reticulated supply line or by an air break between the reticulated supply and the tank on the property which is being maintained at a required level.

Catchment Management

If your property is near the Brisbane River or in the catchment area of Somerset, Wivenhoe or Atkinson Dam further consideration needs to be given to the design and location of your proposed method of disposal.

These applications must be referred to Seqwater for consideration.

For Wivenhoe and Somerset Dams, any application will be assessed against the development guidelines for water quality management published by Seqwater.

Before submitting your design to Council please send the onsite sewerage design to:

Seqwater,
PO Box 15236,
City East Qld 4002

for Seqwater’s approval.

Your application to Council must be accompanied by Seqwater’s letter of approval.

Water and sewerage infrastructure

All enquiries about water meters, sewer main connection points and requirements where buildings are impacting on sewers please phone

Queensland Urban Utilities

General enquiries: 13 26 57 (Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm).

Faults and emergencies: 13 23 64 (24hours a day, 7 days a week)

Or visit their website