Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 16, 2010 5:03 pm Have just realised that we have two man holes and one inspection hole at the back of our block (please don't ask me how I didn't notice this on all the plans I've looked at!). Has anyone else got either of these things on their blocks, and if so, what are the implications? We had hoped to cut right to the back of the block and retain, making full use of the back yard. Am currently waiting to hear back from SA water, but if anyone has any experience with this it would be great to get some info!! Thanks! Re: Sewer Inspection point and Manhole 2Jan 16, 2010 8:19 pm In Qld you cannot put structures,slabs etc within 2mtr's either side of the length of the easement. Hopefully it is right at the back of the block. Which is generally the case on most new estates Its hard to miss on the plans as it will be clearly marked and the dots are the manholes. Re: Sewer Inspection point and Manhole 3Jan 17, 2010 5:57 am I have two on my block also. One is far enough away not to cause us any problems. The other was more of a problem. I think we ended up having to be 2.5m away from it in the end. The drafts people thought we would get away with 2m but the council were not happy (Queensland council). In the end we had to adjust the plan slightly and also forgo the eves on one side to get it through. Due to it's proximity to the house we also had to have it raised 400mm at a cost of about $800. In the end I was really annoyed with the council and the developer because I back onto easements on two of my three bounderies and I can't see why they needed to be on my property when they could have moved them 1500mm and they would be totally off my block and not affecting anyone. GO figure!!!! Re: Sewer Inspection point and Manhole 4Jan 17, 2010 9:54 am You must have an easement then? You simply can't build anything permanent on an easement unless you apply for and are granted permission. Even then, the relevant authority has the right to come in and dismantle whatever you put there if they need to access the easement, so it's a small gamble. You can normally build your house right to the edge of an easement, but may have to upgrade your foundations to protect the assets located within the easement. We had to pier the rear edge of our slab because our house goes right to the sewer easement - our back wall is within 100mm at one side of the block and about 700mm at the other. The only implication there is extra cost, which will vary depending on size and design of the house, soil type, depth of the sewer, proximity to the house, and so on. The inspection points need to be accessible at all times, but that doesn't mean they have to be big ugly features of your yard. We have one just to one side of a sliding door, and I do not intend to be looking out at it. Our landscaping plan includes paving over it, using square concrete pavers, which are easy enough to lift and re-lay if access is ever required by the water authority. Some other options for hiding them, depending on where they're located and what your landscaping plans involve, are: - Incorporate them within garden beds and just mulch over the top. Voila! No more ugly! - Incorporate them within a path - obviously not solid concrete, but you can always use gravel or granitic sand, with or without stepping-stone pavers. - Stick a movable feature on top - large pot plant or piece of sculpture, perhaps? - Plan a utility area for that spot - somewhere to stick rubbish bins, compost bins or odds and ends that you don't want to see - then screen it off using brushwood, bamboo, timber slats and/or shrubs. - If you have kids, put some play equipment there and spread mulch underneath. Swings, cubby, whatever.... - Assuming they're at the back of the property, build a shed/gazebo or other structure that you plan to have anyway in front of the easement. The ugly concrete lids will be hidden behind and you again have a spot to store bins, wheelbarrows etc. Basically, you can either hide them behind something, or put something not-too-permanent over them. There are lots of choices. Re: Sewer Inspection point and Manhole 5Jan 17, 2010 6:07 pm Thanks for the info! Yes, we do have an easement, it runs 4m in from the back boundary (shown as the red line in the pics below). Thankfully we don't want to build near it, but were hoping to have the back yard as all usable lawn space, as in the picture below - Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ However, now that I have discovered that we have these holes etc. I'm imagining we will have to do something like this - Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I'm hoping if we can't still go with the first option, that the second option will be acceptable. In the second option, the man holes would need to be lowered by 1.25m, but the sewer inspection point could stay the original level. Does anyone know if it's possible to lower these things? Any other thoughts or info would be great! Cheers. ... Re: Sewer Inspection point and Manhole 6Jan 18, 2010 8:06 am kek Incorporate them within garden beds and just mulch over the top. Voila! No more ugly! Thanks, thats a great idea! Think it will work well if we have to go with the second option of the tiered retaining walls. Makes me feel much better about the idea of having them in the back yard now!! Re: Sewer Inspection point and Manhole 7Feb 12, 2010 5:59 pm Hey, Sorry to jump in but i was searching the web and noticed this website. http://www.combinedharvesters.co.uk/pro ... ategory=13 http://www.chambermate.co.uk/ lol its sound a really cool solution to the problem! but not sure if it is approved by council or water authoritys in Sydney. Or if there is a legality. We have two sewer man holes on our property at the back which would love to disguise or cover. Eric Re: Sewer Inspection point and Manhole 8Feb 12, 2010 6:11 pm ERIC!! They look EXCELLENT!!! Would be fantastic to be able to use something like that. Make sure you let us know if you find out any more info re using them in Australia. Thanks for sharing!! Re: Sewer Inspection point and Manhole 9Feb 12, 2010 6:12 pm lol there is another site too. this another cool idea! but have a look. http://www.turftops.com/Images/Turftops ... ations.pdf Re: Sewer Inspection point and Manhole 10Feb 12, 2010 6:15 pm bobbin_84 ERIC!! They look EXCELLENT!!! Would be fantastic to be able to use something like that. Make sure you let us know if you find out any more info re using them in Australia. Thanks for sharing!! I just sent an email - be interesting to see what they say about its availability in Aus. I've not gone around to chase the likes of a local water auth or council as i literally just noticed it 15 mins ago reading your thread . It might not be an Australian Standard thingy but wouldn't hurt to ask. Eric Re: Sewer Inspection point and Manhole 11Feb 12, 2010 7:01 pm There is an Aus company that has complied with Aus Standards. Not sure about cost of if you can fill with Dirt / Turf But here is one of their products. http://www.acoaus.com.au/access/rhino_circ_recess.htm Eric Hi, I have this sewer inspection point sitting in an odd spot in the rear of my yard: https://imgur.com/ghLI98q What I'd like to do is put a firepit in that corner of… 0 6533 You might be able to apply to divert the sewer at your expense. In NSW you would contact a Water services co-ordinator and they would give you advice as to whether or not… 1 16150 |