Repair your watercourse works after an emergency

Check what approvals you need before you repair, replace or rebuild your infrastructure or rehabilitate a watercourse.

Before you repair, replace or rebuild

Restoring infrastructure can be stressful following an emergency.

However, there are steps you can take to ensure your work is safe and compliant.

Step 1: Assess the damage

The first step in recovering your infrastructure is understanding the extent of the damage.

To do this, we recommend that you talk to an industry expert (e.g. an engineer or a water bore  driller).

The extent of repair determines which approvals you need to apply for.

You need to understand if your repairs will be:

• to the same standard as your original infrastructure
• to an improved standard beyond your original infrastructure
• to completely rebuild to new standards.

Step 2: Check approvals and permits

Once you know the extent of repair, check the conditions of any existing approvals.

New or improved works generally need additional permits.

Repairs or replacement to the same standard

Development approval is not necessary for minor or like-for-like repairs.

This applies to:

• pumping equipment
• overland flow structures
• in-stream dams, weirs and gravity diversions with minor damage.

All repairs must meet the conditions of your current authorisation.

For bore replacement, contact your local business centre.

Repairs or replacement to an improved standard

Any new work generally requires new approval.

For tailored advice, call your local business centre.

For more detail on specific infrastructure or works such as dams, bores and pumps, refer to additional information for landowners.

Step 3: Get approval

For work that requires development approval, you'll need to start the development approval process.

Get more information on how to apply.

Related permits and exemptions

You also need to make sure that you do your due diligence and:

• find out if you need approvals from other departments, including vegetation clearing requirements
• determine if any excavations require a riverine protection permit
• and
• check to see if you meet the riverine protection permit exemption requirements.

If your infrastructure interferes with a fish passage, you'll also need to contact the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Once you have your relevant approvals or exemptions you can progress your repairs.

Step 4: Rehabilitate your watercourse

Rehabilitative activities can include:

• removing debris
• placing fill
• excavation.

When planning repairs and rehabilitative works, make sure you repair for future resilience. Get more tips to prepare for an emergency.

Information for landowners

There are certain conditions unique to each type of infrastructure.

To discuss your situation, contact your local business centre.