Environmental assessment
Previously Review of Environmental Factors (REF)
Hunter Water is reforming our environmental approval process for developer works to improve our service delivery. The new process will be launched in August 2024, with a transition period until the end of 2024 for any existing works in progress.
Our new process gives applicants the option to choose one of four environmental approval pathways:
- We will accept complying development certificates from private certifiers for simple works that are considered low risk.
- We will accept Part 4 council consent where final water and/or sewer design drawings have been included in the development application or are implicit in the development.
- We will accept Part 5 approvals from other authorities, where the proposal has been included in the scope of the approval.
- We will continue to accept Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for proposals. Our REF template (copy below) has been revised to ensure that all relevant information is provided and minimise the number of revisions required.
Our new Instrument of Approval will allow REFs to be assessed and approved as quickly as possible.
Application Form
The Notice of Requirements issued by Hunter Water will include reference to an Application for Environmental Assessment form, where the environmental assessment pathway for the proposal will be nominated. This form will be completed by the design consultant and submitted to Hunter Water.
Complying Development
Hunter Water will recognise complying development certificates (CDCs) issued by private certifiers for low risk works. More information on the works for which CDCs can be issued is included in the FAQ – Complying Development.
Certifiers that are registered to certify subdivisions can issue CDCs for Hunter Water projects. A list of certifiers is available on the Building Commission NSW website.
Once a certifier has issued a CDC, this can be submitted to Hunter Water along with the design drawings and the Application for Recognition of Complying Development form.
The Application for Recognition of Complying Development form along with the Application for Environmental Assessment form is to be submitted with the Design Submission package.
Council Consent
Hunter Water will recognise an existing Council consent for work where the water and/or sewer design was included in the development application submitted to council, or where the works are implicit in the granting of development consent by either council or a private certifier (CDC).
A copy of the Application for Recognition of Council Consent is to be submitted to Hunter Water, along with a copy of the consent (Council or CDC), stamped plans and Statement of Environmental Effects.
This option requires that council or private certifier consent has been granted prior to the water and/or sewer works commencing.
The Application for Recognition of Council Consent form along with the Application for Environmental Assessment form is to be submitted with the Design Submission package.
Other Authority Approvals
We will recognise approvals issued by other authorities, where the approval covers the scope of the proposed water and/or sewer works. The Application for Recognition of Other Authority Approval form is to be submitted to Hunter Water, along with a copy of the approval and environmental assessment that was approved by the other authority.
The Application for Recognition of Other Authority Approval form along with the Application for Environmental Assessment form is to be submitted with the Design Submission package.
Review of Environmental Factors (REF)
An REF will be required for works that do not meet the requirements for complying development or where an existing council consent or other authority approval does not exist.
Hunter Water has developed a new Review of Environmental Factors template to streamline the REF process. The REF can be submitted to Hunter Water, along with the Application for Review of Environmental Factors form and a copy of the detailed design drawings.
If the REF adequately describes the works to be undertaken, identifies environmental risks and proposes how the risks will be managed, Hunter Water will issue an Instrument of Approval. The Instrument of Approval will include Hunter Water’s requirements for construction and operation of the activity. Note that landowner consent and all authority consultation will need to be undertaken before the Instrument of Approval can be issued.
The finalised design cannot be submitted to Hunter Water without the REF approval being granted.
Submissions
All forms and attachments can be submitted to design_submission@hunterwater.com.au
Fees
An REF assessment fee will need to be paid when the REF is submitted. Please contact our front counter team via 1300 657 657 to make payment, quoting your Hunter Water Deed Number contained in the Notice Of Requirements Letter. The first review of the REF report is expected to be completed within 30 to 60 Days of payment being received - depending on the quality of the report and complexity of the scope of works. Additional reviews are expected to be completed within 30 days. Any reviews beyond a second review will incur an additional assessment fee.