Lismore City Council
A step-by step guide to plumbing approvals
Note to plumbers: You will find the combined Notice of Work and Certificate of Compliance form at NSW Fair Trading as well as standard drawings for Sewer Service Diagrams that you can print, fill out and submit to Council.
The approval process
Step 1 – Approval. Development activity and associated plumbing must be approved by Council in accordance with Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 before a plumber starts work on any job.
The following activities require a Section 68 approval:
- Part B1: Carry out water supply work.
- Part B4: Sewerage work.
- Part B5: Stormwater drainage work.
- Part B6: Connecting a private drain or sewer with a public drain or sewer under the control of a Council or with a drain or sewer which connects with such a public drain or sewer.
- Part C4: Dispose of Waste into a sewer of Council.
An approval for an activity can be sought from Council under two separate assessment processes.
These two processes are either as a stand-alone application for the activity, or in conjunction with a development application (DA) which is seeking approval under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 for a use to which the activity is related.
For a Section 68 application made in conjunction with a DA (e.g. stormwater, sewer and water work) you can tick the Section 68 approval box contained within the DA form and a concurrent approval will be issued with the development consent.
For a stand-alone application, please complete the Section 68 application form and submit to Council with the relevant fees and plans.
Application for Approval to Carry Out an Activity (Section 68)
Step 2 – Notification. Following the issue of an approval the licensed plumber must submit to Council a Notice of Work under the Plumbing and Drainage Act at least two days prior to commencing the work. There are no fees for this notice. Plumbers are required to look or check for any conditions of approval that affect their work. You can apply for a Notice of Work online below or you can visit NSW Fair Trading where you will find the combined Notice of Work and Certificate of Compliance form to download as well as standard drawings for Sewer Service Diagrams that you can print, fill out and submit to Council.
Step 3 – Inspections. The licensed plumber must call for inspections by contacting Council on (02) 6625 0500. Typically, inspections can be paid at lodgement of the DA or the Notice of Work. It is the licensed plumber’s responsibility to ensure inspections are paid for prior to booking inspections. The number of inspections required will depend on the type and nature of the work.
Step 4 – Compliance. On completion of work the licensed plumber must submit a Certificate of Compliance to Council within two days of completing works. If there has been any sewerage work carried out the Certificate of Compliance must be accompanied by a Sewerage Service Diagram (SSD). Additionally, if there are any fire services and/or testable backflow prevention devices installed the plumber must submit test reports for these services with the Certificate of Compliance.
If you require further information or clarification on any of the above, phone our Development Engineer on (02) 6625 0500. For further information regarding the Plumbing and Drainage Act visit the NSW Fair Trading website
