What to watch for in NSW and QLD? Sewages, flood, easement

when buying in NSW, solicitors and buyers are very aware of sewage, it is a no no when a sewage is fund in the backyard of the property ( for the reason that you could not built on it, Sydney Water could come in and dig things up if problems occur with the sewage pipe).

In QLD, people are more worry about flood and easement. Flood risk is self explanatory. Re easement, my impression is that it is an area that is reserved for services ( soil could be dug up and opened up for services, connecting, fixing)

is the above correct?

 

No, not entirely.

Sewer pipes that cross backyards are very common, not just in NSW but in all states and territories. It is not a problem unless you want to build a garage or swimming pool over it. If this were the case, you would avoid properties like these. You can dig up and encase in concrete but this adds extra cost.

Easements again appear in all states and territories. Stormwater needs to be run someplace and underground power cables need to go somewhere. You just need to check the position and see if it affects your future plans for where the easements run.

Flood risk is present in all states and territories. Generally to be avoided unless you want to accept the risk.

 

Most of the aspect knowledge you gained in NSW is applicable to QLD.

 

A lot of people seem to have an issue or phobia with a sewer main running through a property. In most cases if there is a main on a property it will run along the boundary line without a huge impact on potential development.
As for coming in and digging and destroying the yard and knocking the house down there is very little chance of this happening. There is more chance you'll be digging up the private plumbing than the main. Plus with the technology available these days,water authorities rarely need to dig

 

Mains tend to run along the boundary in a setback area you can't build in. E.g. just finishing up a subdivision in Gosford LGA where the sewer main crosses the property - but there is a 3m rear setback so can't build in that area anyway.

Drainage easements can be dealt with in other ways. They can sometimes be covered and piped as the use of the easement can carry on. Basically, the easement still has to carry out the primary function. On townhouse developments building something like the visitor carpark over these can be a very good outcome for the site - just involves a bit of lateral thinking, and if it discourages other people...

 

Also need to consider land slip and mine subsidence zones too.

 

No.

Services have to go somewhere.

 

Hey guys, I would like to get some input from you.

I'm looking at buying a townhouse and apparently there are sewage pipes running along the boundary. The problem is there are no Sydney water approval for the build but in the contract it said there are concrete encasement done.

Would you guys suggest I look elsewhere or if there isn't too much of an issue?

 

The one I'm looking to buy is lot 4 on the diagram.

 

@sumterrence the townhouses appear to be part of a community title scheme (lot 1 shared driveway etc) and one would assume an approved development. The sewer line may have been encased because your townhouse is built close to it "within the zone of influence"

what do you mean by 'no sydney water approval for the build" ?

do you mean existing built structures, or any future buildings

 

Thanks for the reply mate.

The townhouse is actually a detached house on Torrens title. With a common area being the shared driveway.

After my solicitor reviewed the contract we requested for an approval letter from Sydney Water to confirm the encasement was carried out and certified according to Sydney water requirements.

However Sydney water has come back saying they don't have any record of approval being granted when the developer built the townhouses. That's why I'm a bit concern and wondering if it is OK to go ahead or should pull out given the potential cost if things does goes wrong with the sewage.

 

Why does the Sydney Water plan show concrete encased?

 

So are you saying normally they don't? That diagram attached was from the contact of sale.

 

@sumterrence - it would be an indication that Sydney Water have knowledge of the concrete encasement works, it is shown on their plan.

The plans held by council would also be stamped by Sydney Water prior to having the Building Approval released.

 

Thanks for the reply. Seems like it is alright to go ahead with this purchase.