Council is legally required to provide and maintain an effective wastewater system. This includes the network of pipes and treatment plants that all wastewater must pass through before it’s discharged into the ocean.
I want to connect to the wastewater network
Council’s responsibility
We look after wastewater pipes located beneath footpaths, roads or on council-owned properties. We must fix any damage such as cracks or breaks in the pipes.
Wastewater pipes have an average life expectancy of at least 90 years. We use closed circuit television (CCTV) monitoring to regularly check the condition of our city’s pipes and maintain or replace them when necessary.
Property owner’s responsibility
Any damage or blockage that occurs to wastewater pipes inside your property boundary is the owner’s responsibility to fix. This includes, but not limited to, damage from tree roots, third party damage, fats and wipes (blockages) and DIY damage. Landowners are responsible for the private sewer lateral to the point of discharge at the sewer main - this includes any blockages in this section.
Gully traps
A gully trap is a small outdoor drain found beside your home’s foundations near your kitchen, bathroom or laundry. It’s where all your wastewater is piped to before it empties into our wastewater network.
Gully traps should be raised above the ground to stop stormwater or ground surface water from draining into them. They usually have a grate or cover to keep out leaves and other debris.
If rainwater can enter your gully traps, they need to be fixed. A sudden increase in water flowing into gully traps during heavy rain can cause wastewater to overflow and problems at our treatment plants. That’s why the Building Code outlines strict criteria for gully traps to prevent this from occurring.
It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure your gully traps are working properly.
Everything you need to know about gully traps factsheet (721kb pdf)
Note: pipelines on private properties often have a council easement which grants council legal access to those pipes if necessary.