Development industry news

Development Services’ fees and charges 2017/18

Our fees and charges schedule has been updated for the new financial year. These fees and charges contribute to operating costs, and the expansion and improvement of our water and sewerage services across our territory in South-East Queensland.

We are committed to improving the efficiency of our services to meet the needs of developers and their representatives. In some cases, fees and charges have increased to ensure our team is resourced to deliver high quality services and meet our legislated time frames.

Adopted Infrastructure Charges have increased by less than 1%, in accordance with the three-year Producer Price Index (PPI).

Design variation fee

A design variation is required when the connection design or construction needs to vary from Queensland Urban Utilities’ standards (including the SEQ Code) for the purpose of the development.

Assessment of your design variation request will now be charged at $173 per hour. We encourage you to provide as much detail as possible to help reduce time required for assessment.

To request a design variation, upload the following information to the applications portal:

• letter signed by Endorsed Consultant (RPEQ) explaining the scope and reasons for the variation and how the alternative design provides an acceptable equivalent to standard design requirements

• design information, including relevant drawings and calculations.

 Design variation approvals are provided within 20 business days of a properly made request.

Works charges

Property service work charges: To view the 2017/18 charges for property service work, refer to Section 2.4 of our Charges Schedule.

Disconnection base works charge – water street work: This new fee is applicable to disconnections for works within a street. This service contributes to the rehabilitation of road infrastructure and traffic management measures.

Have a question?

Our Development Enquiries team is here to assist you with the development process. See our number below.

July 2016 edition

Development Services fees and charges 2016/17

Development Services’ fees and charges contribute to operating costs and the expansion and improvement of the water and sewerage network in our rapidly growing service area.

2016/17 fees and charges are outlined in the updated Water Netserv Plan (Part A) – Charges Schedule version 1.3, which will be effective from 1 July 2016. The majority of prices have increased in line with the Reserve Bank of Australia’s inflation target rate (1.69%). In some cases, fees and charges have been increased to ensure our team is resourced to deliver high quality services and meet our legislated timeframes.

• Read our fact sheet - Development Services: 2016/17 fees and charges

Infrastructure charges

Infrastructure charges will remain the same in Brisbane, Lockyer Valley and Somerset council areas. Ipswich City Council and Scenic Rim Regional Council have indexed their Adopted Infrastructure Charges for the 2016/17 financial year. This will result in an increase of 1.11%.

• Student accommodation development stimulus program extended to 30 June 2017.
• Infrastructure Charges Relief Policy offers eligible charitable organisations a 10% reduction on water and sewerage infrastructure charges, up to a maximum of $10,000.

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Build Over Asset Referrals

Build Over Asset Referrals are now managed by Queensland Urban Utilities in Brisbane, Ipswich, Scenic Rim, Somerset and Lockyer Valley local government areas.

Previously, Brisbane City Council and Lockyer Valley Regional Council received Build Over Asset Referrals on our behalf, also referred to as the Build over Sewer (BOS) process. This change ensures compliance with state legislation, service alignment across our territory, and improved protection of our network as the water and sewerage provider.  

Visit Build Over Asset to learn more about the new process, download referral forms, or register to attend an upcoming information session.

_{Contact your local council for Build over Stormwater requirements.}

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New look Development Services team

Our leadership team is committed to working with developers to ensure applications are managed as smoothly as possible. Find out more about their responsibilities, including new recruit Glenn Ziernik, Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Agreements Leader. 

 Ben McDonnell | Development Services Manager

 Email ben.mcdonnell@urbanutilities.com.au

  - Ben sets the strategic direction for Development Services and works with the team to ensure best-for-project outcomes for developers.

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 Nick Leddy | Developer Client Management Leader

 Email nick.leddy@urbanutilities.com.au
  - Assessment of property service and network connection applications and design reviews
  - Services Advice Notices and technical advice for high complexity applications
  - Infrastructure charges

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 Glenn Ziernik | Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Agreements Leader

 Email glenn.ziernik@urbanutilities.com.au
 - State, regional and local land-use planning coordination
 - Development analysis, policies and innovation
 - Infrastructure agreements

 
Glenn joined Development Services in February, and brings with him more than 25 years’ experience in private and public sectors of the development and water industries. He has held senior positions with Hunter Water Corporation as Development Servicing Plan Coordinator, and Urban Development Pricing Manager.  More recently, Glenn worked in the private sector as Principal Town Planner with AcroPlan Planning & Engineering. We welcome Glenn to Development Services and his new home in Brisbane.

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 Michael Broadbent  | Contracts & Assurance Services Leader

 Email michael.broadbent@urbanutilities.com.au
  - Connection construction (Network Access Permits, on-site auditing and post-construction compliance)
  - Management of Third Party Certification Scheme (endorsed consultants)
  - Build Over Asset referrals and easements

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Debra McGrigor | Developer Customer Services Leader

Email debra.mcgrigor@urbantilities.com.au
 - Customer enquiries and online application support
 - Standard connection application assessment and technical advice for low complexity applications
 - Engineering searches

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Pakee Bala | Government Client Services Leader

Email pakee.bala@urbanutilities.com.au

 - Technical advice, assessment, design review and auditing services to government projects impacting Queensland Urban Utilities’ infrastructure

 

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Take part in WaterAid Golf Day 2016

Friday 21 October 2016

7am to 2pm

Pacific Golf Club, Carindale

Sign up to play

 

For nine consecutive years Queensland Urban Utilities has hosted the Water Aid Golf Day. The event brings the water industry together to raise money for WaterAid Australia, who provide safe water, sanitation and hygiene education to Australia’s nearby developing communities in Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste.

Last year the event raised a record-breaking $25,000, which was only possible because of the generosity of our corporate sponsors. 

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Recent design and construction forums

Our events program is underway for 2016, with much more to come.

If you missed any events, you can download the presentation slides.

Contractors Forum - April 2016

Endorsed Consultants Forum - May 2016

Private Fire Systems Design Information Session – June 2016



Thanks to everyone who participated. Please email us at quu-developmentservices@urbanutilities.com.au if you have event feedback or suggestions for presentations or discussion.

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What goes up must come down: Sewer upgrade for Fortitude Valley

Queensland Urban Utilities has broken ground on an $11 million sewer upgrade in the heart of Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley to cater for growing development.

The project involves drilling an access shaft at the Wickham St end of the Brunswick Street Mall and constructing 570m of new sewer pipe.

Queensland Urban Utilities Executive Leader of Operations & Service Delivery, Richard Petterson, said the works were essential to increase capacity for the Valley’s property boom.

“Almost 4000 apartments are expected to be built over the next couple of years, all within towers up to 30 storeys high,” he said.

“It’s a case of what goes up must come down. With all those extra toilets flushing and showers running, we need more capacity in the sewerage network to handle it.

“The new pipe is a generous 800mm in diameter and will serve the community for at least another 50 years.”

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BUILDING CERTIFIERS

On 1 July 2016, Build Over Sewer referrals are coming to Queensland Urban Utilities 

About the transition  

In 2014 we assumed the role of assessment manager for water and sewerage aspects of development and building applications. Since this time, we have taken a staged approach in transitioning processes from councils to our Development Services team.

From 1 July 2016, Build Over Sewer referrals will transition from Brisbane City Council (BCC) and Lockyer Valley Regional Council (LVRC) to Queensland Urban Utilities.

Changes to Build Over Sewer process for BCC and LVRC

Brisbane City Council and Lockyer Valley Regional Council currently act as the concurrence agency for Build Over Asset referrals on our behalf.

We have been the concurrence agency for Ipswich, Scenic Rim and Somerset local government areas since 2014.

Contact your local council for Build over Stormwater requirements.

New Build Over Asset Referral Process

From 1 July 2016, the following Build Over Asset referral processes will apply, depending on the building design’s compliance with the Acceptable Solutions outlined in QDC MP1.4 and Queensland Urban Utilities’ Alternative Solutions Guideline.

Does the building work comply with:		Type of Build Over Asset referral
QDC MP1.4 Acceptable Solutions?	Alternative Solutions Guideline?
Yes	N/A	A. Lodge Form 32 Fee: nil Processing time: N/A
No	Yes	B. Self-Assessment Referral Fee: $95 Processing time: Five business days
No	No	C. Full Assessment Referral Fee: $458 Processing time: 20 business days

For more details about Build Over Asset referrals refer to Building over our assets

Referral fees

We are pleased to announce that under Queensland Urban Utilities, you will see a reduction in Build Over Asset referral fees:

• Brisbane: Full assessment fee $458 ($187 reduction)
• Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim, Somerset and Ipswich: Self-assessment referrals now available for $95 (previously full assessment referrals were the only option).

Transitioning the process to Queensland Urban Utilities also ensures compliance with state legislation, service alignment across our territory, and improved protection of our network as the water and sewerage provider.

Information sessions

Michael Broadbent, Contracts & Assurance Services Leader, and Trevor Graham, Senior Technical Officer, will be hosting information sessions for certifiers on the new referral processes.

• Monday, 4 July, 10am to 11am – Level 2, 15 Green Square Close, Fortitude Valley
• Monday, 4 July, 1:30pm to 2:30pm – Level 2, 15 Green Square Close, Fortitude Valley
• Wednesday, 6 July, 11am to 12pm – Level 2, 15 Green Square Close, Fortitude Valley
• Wednesday, 6 July, 1:30pm to 2:30pm – Level 2, 15 Green Square Close, Fortitude Valley
• Friday 8 July, 11am to 12pm – 38 Limestone Street, Ipswich

To attend a session, email your details and preferred time to development.boa@urbanutilities.com.au.

Contact us

Visit www.urbanutilties.com.au/buildoverasset

Email development.boa@urbanutilities.com.au

Phone 07 3855 6766

December 2015 edition

Best wishes for the festive season

Thank you for your support during another significant year for Development Services. In 2015, our team worked hard to manage over 3,700 water and sewerage connection applications, as well as new policies and tools to better service our customers and enable development in South East Queensland.  

We continue to be impressed and grateful for the collaboration we receive from the development industry. More than 300 developers, engineers and contractors attended the information forums we hosted this year, including our first Development Industry Breakfast. Your input at these events is invaluable to the improvement of our business.

From our team to yours, we wish you a safe and happy holidays, and look forward to working with you in 2016.

Paul and Ben

Paul Belz, Executive Leader Planning

Ben McDonnell, Manager Development Services

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Operations during the Christmas period

We will be open on business days during the Christmas period (24th December to 4th January), but may experience delays in managing your application. We appreciate your understanding during this time and wish you a safe and happy holidays. 

 

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Welcome Nick Leddy

This month we welcome Nick Leddy as Developer Client Management Leader. In this role, Nick will work with a range of development organisations and manage the team of engineers and planners who assess and certify connections. 

Nick brings to the team vast experience in the commercial and government sectors, including the areas of land access and acquisitions, and strategic business planning. Most recently, Nick led a specialist strategy team within the Santos GLNG Landholder Relations Group.  

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Property boundary realignments

If you are seeking approval from council to re-align a property boundary, you may need to provide evidence from Queensland Urban Utilities that an existing water or sewerage connection services the lot. We provide evidence of connection letters via the engineering search service.

Read more about how to make a request

 

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Thank you for your feedback

Over the last couple of months you may have received an email from our research agency to complete the Development Service’s annual survey. 125 developers and engineers completed the survey and their feedback will focus our business development in 2016.

Thank you to everyone who completed the annual customer survey.  

October 2015 edition

Our Annual Report gives us the opportunity to report on our operational, environmental, social, and financial performance against key business objectives. It also outlines the challenges we have experienced and highlights our achievements.

Read 2014/15 Annual Report

Upgrades to online applications portal and website

In response to your feedback, we have been upgrading our online tools.

Website

In September, we updated our Development Services’ website with new content and layout to make finding the information you need easier. Over the next year, we will continue to improve application, design and construction advice.

Applications portal

We recently released an upgrade to our online applications portal. This upgrade is the first step in a larger portal improvement project that will improve our service delivery and operational efficiency.

What has changed?

• New process for Network Access Permit applications (more information below).
• View and access your charge notices and tax invoices directly from the applications portal.
• Easier viewing of your application attachments.
• Smarter document control, so workflow will only commence once mandatory documentation has been uploaded (such as property owner’s consent form).  This will prevent delays later in the application process.

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New Network Access Permit process

Plumbing and construction contractors now need to submit all Network Access Permit requests via the online applications portal. The previous email system no longer operates.

The new process gives the developer, engineering consultant and plumbing contractor greater visibility of the end-to-end connection works and associated documents.

Learn more about the portal upgrade

You can also register to attend a drop-in session.

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We want your feedback: annual customer survey coming soon

Each year we undertake research to gain feedback from the development industry. In the coming weeks, you may be contacted by our research agency to complete the short online survey.

We really appreciate your participation, as the survey provides us with a measure of your satisfaction with our team and drives improvements in our services.  

The survey is conducted by TNS and you can choose to provide your feedback confidentially.    

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Supporting local charities: Infrastructure Charges Relief Policy

We have introduced an Infrastructure Charges Relief Policy that offers eligible charitable organisations a 10 per cent reduction on water and sewerage infrastructure charges, up to a maximum of $10,000.

The policy applies only to infrastructure charges associated with a Water Approval lodged and issued by Queensland Urban Utilities after 1 July 2014 and prior to 30 June 2016, unless revoked earlier. No retrospective assessment will be undertaken for transitional approvals lodged with councils prior to 30 June 2014. It does not apply to connection application or retail charges.

To be eligible for financial relief, the developer must write to Queensland Urban Utilities and provide the organisation’s registration as a charity together with documentation which demonstrates how the proposed development will advance the charitable purpose of the organisation.

For more information about the policy, email ICNenquries@urbanutilities.com.au

Infrastructure charges are legislated charges payable where a new connection is proposed or being upgraded that generates additional demand on our trunk infrastructure network.

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Your safety: share our commitment to zero harm!

At Queensland Urban Utilities, our number one priority is safety, for our staff, customers and contractors. We are committed to achieving zero harm on our work sites and if you are working on or near Queensland Urban Utilities’ infrastructure, we are here to assist you in complying with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.

Safety has been an important topic at recent Contractors and Endorsed Consultant Forums. Key issues highlighted include:

• inappropriate or NO PPE (generally engineers visiting sites)
• removal and handling of asbestos pipes
• safety during excavations.

Our Assurance Officers visit new connection work sites and shared some photo examples during the forums.

Endorsed Consultant Forum October 2015

Contractors Forum September 2015

If you have any questions about your safety responsibilities or would like some advice, email assurance@urbanutilities.com.au

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Development Industry Breakfast, September 2015

In September, we hosted our first Development Industry Breakfast at Victoria Park Golf Club. We were joined by more than 80 developers, engineers and planners who listened to keynote presentations by Peter Hyland, Urbis Regional Director, and Abel Immaraj, Queensland Urban Utilities’ Servicing Strategy Manager.

The breakfast was well-received by guests and we will host our next event in early 2016.

• View Macro-economic development drivers in South East Queensland by Peter Hyland – Regional Director, Urbis

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Queensland Urban Utilities project manager wins world title

Steve Gibson, Queensland Urban Utilities project manager has been named the best in the world by the International Project Management Association (IPMA).

The unprecedented accolade was for his outstanding work upgrading the sewerage network at Woolloongabba in Brisbane.

The five year $82 million project is Queensland Urban Utilities’ biggest on record, and was delivered not only ahead of schedule but $3.7 million under budget. Read more…
 

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$4 million revamp for Kilcoy's water network

Queensland Urban Utilities has invested $4 million to strengthen Kilcoy’s water network.

More than 4.2km of pipes have been laid along the D’Aguilar Highway to ensure the 1,700-strong community of Kilcoy has a reliable water supply into the future. Read more…