Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Mar 08, 2011 10:39 pm Hi we are building a new home in the City of Whitehorse in VIC. Unfortunately it appears that the existing dwelling we just demolished had no stormwater drain pipework at the propertys easement (they were just emptying excess water onto the land). We have been told that we the owners will have to provide access to the stormwater drain located 70 or so meters away from our block going across 4 adjacent properties and it will be at our expense which no doubt will be in the many thousands of dollars. Has anyone had a similar experience and what are our options. By the way Council has granted us a Building Permit already but never indicated that such a deficiency exists on the property. It does not sound right that we should be responsible for this. Can someone please advise thanks sf Re: Stormwater Drain Access or lack of 2Mar 08, 2011 10:44 pm Did your solicitor do any searches when you bought the property? There should have been council searches conducted which would have highlighted that and they should have told you that before you bought it. Re: Stormwater Drain Access or lack of 3Mar 08, 2011 10:53 pm Thanks for the reply. We knew there was an easement at the back of the property but noone knew that there was no pipework laid. We only found out after we demolished the house and went looking for it.... sf Re: Stormwater Drain Access or lack of 4Mar 09, 2011 8:09 am This comes under the buyer beware clause. The only other option you have is to install some sort of storage set up (soakwell or underground retention tanks with pump to re use??) I wouldn't imagine that 70 mt of storm water would be obscenely expensive, but you could look at what the others in the street have and see if you can share the costs. Chances are that if you don't have it then they don't either and council will want them to upgrade too. P.S I know it sounds like an A$$hole move to do, but why should the OP be the only one to flip the bill when it is pretty likely the other places in the street have the same problem, but if OP pays, they can upgrade at a fraction of cost. Re: Stormwater Drain Access or lack of 5Mar 09, 2011 8:15 am whats stopping you from putting the storm water out into the road storm water. I see it done all the time. In fact In my street (new estate) the water goes into the same pipe as the road drain. Re: Stormwater Drain Access or lack of 6Mar 09, 2011 3:43 pm As you are doing a new house putting in a rain water tank and using rainwater for garden, car washing, toilet flushing and perhaps laundry water will take quite a lot of water. Then go for soakwells for the rest. There are a couple of posts here which will tell you how to calculate how much water you may be dealing with and how much you might use: http://www.anewhouse.com.au/?cat=20 The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Stormwater Drain Access or lack of 7Mar 09, 2011 8:52 pm Thanks... you see the problem is that this is a downwards slopping block. Noone knew that there was no drainage at the easement until we demolished the existing dwelling. Council will not allow us to put up a pump based system to pump the water from a soakwell to the road on the higher side of the house, so it looks like we will have no option but to build 70 meters of pipework across 5 different properties mind you to get access to the main stormwater drainage (estimated cost in excess of $25K). And apparently i will have to pay for it, despite the fact that the property has been charged for rates for the last 80 years...and i was also granted a Building Permit. I dont understand why this has to be the owners responsibility to build council infrastructure that they can in turn charge me for ! I am at a loss, and i am worried i will have to reneg on my building contract. I am at a loss sf Re: Stormwater Drain Access or lack of 8Mar 10, 2011 6:27 am Since the council seem to be angling for free infrastructure, I would look more closely at other options. And I wouldn't just listen to what the council says - they may be trying to railroad you into this choice because it's good for them, even if their own rules would allow you to do something else. So you need to find out what their drainage rules are and why those rules mean this is the only option for you. If you can find a cheaper option then you have some negotiating power - if the council wants their 70m pipe then you can offer them to subsidize it, otherwise you do it another way. Metricon Riva 33 - http://herlihy-riva.blogspot.com Site start 15/03/2010 - Handover 23/12/2010 9 months and 8 days (284 calendar days) from site start to handover Re: Stormwater Drain Access or lack of 9Mar 10, 2011 8:57 am Just to clear up the building permit thing. You have been grated a permit to build. The permit states that you must connect guttering and storm water to a legal point of discharge. If the point of discharge is 70mt away then thats where they expect you to connect it to. It doesn't matter that there is no drainage there to start with, all they require is that you connect it. Failing to do so may see you denied a certificate of occupancy. Re: Stormwater Drain Access or lack of 10Mar 10, 2011 12:36 pm in an earlier application for a Stormwater Point of Discharge the LPD is indicated as being at the back of the property. However there is an Outfall Drain Construction statement indicating the need to construct the 70 m outfall drain. So what is my responsibility ? Building to the LPD or also constructing the outfall drain ? tks sf Re: Stormwater Drain Access or lack of 11Feb 07, 2014 2:47 pm I know this was some time ago but am currently in the same position. What was the outcome in your situation? Hi All! I have engaged a plumber to re-do the stormwater drainage system on my property which is mid-70s and had blocked/cracked clay pipe drains. The works has… 0 18704 Grab a hose, insert it at the top of the inlet/down pipe and turn the water on and see where the water is escaping from. Then you'll know. 3 8465 in the stormwater pit or the drain? Those dont look like theyd fit in the drain. Separately, the pits do get stuff in them during the course of the build. For the most… 1 7931 |