Document - Section 68 Approval – Clearing approval for water and waste systems
When you are preparing the documentation for your Construction Certificate (CC) or Complying Development Certificate (CDC), you will likely see a requirement for a "Section 68 Approval" on your checklist.
While most of your approval comes from the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act (via your DA or CDC), certain activities require a separate approval under the Local Government Act.
It is important to identify early if your project triggers this requirement, as your Certifier cannot issue your final construction approval until this document is stamped by the Council.
What is a Section 68 Approval?
A Section 68 Approval refers to Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW).
It lists specific activities that can only be approved by the Local Council. Even if you are using a Private Certifier for your building approval, they cannot issue a Section 68 approval. It must come from the Council.
Common Activities Requiring Section 68
For residential projects, the most common triggers are:
Stormwater & Drainage: Connecting your private stormwater pipes to the Council’s street drainage system or kerb.
Sewer & Water: Carrying out water supply work or connecting to the Council’s sewer main.
On-Site Sewage (Septic): Installing a septic tank or aerated wastewater treatment system (common in rural areas or unsewered suburbs).
Temporary Structures: Hoisting materials over a public road (e.g., using a crane) or placing a waste skip bin on the nature strip.
Manufactured Homes: Installing a moveable dwelling or manufactured home on your land.
The “No Council” Myth
This is where most mistakes happen.
If you are doing a Complying Development Certificate (CDC), you might think you don't need to deal with the Council at all. This is wrong. A Private Certifier can approve the building, but they generally cannot approve the stormwater connection to the street or the septic system. You still need to lodge a separate application to Council for the Section 68 components.
The Connection to CC and CDC
Whether you are pursuing a DA/CC or a CDC, the rule is the same:
For DA/CC: A condition of your DA consent will usually state that a Section 68 approval must be obtained prior to the issue of the Construction Certificate.
For CDC: Private Certifiers are legally unable to issue a CDC until they have verified that any necessary Section 68 approvals for water, sewer, or stormwater are in place.
How to obtain a Section 68 Approval
This is a standalone application lodged via the NSW Planning Portal. It is separate from your DA or CDC application.
How we help: To ensure your documentation package is complete:
We identify the trigger: During the design phase, we determine if your proposed stormwater or sewer design requires this specific Council sign-off.
We coordinate the engineers: We ensure the hydraulic or civil drawings meet Council's specific technical standards for connection.
We lodge early: We typically lodge the Section 68 application concurrently with your DA or immediately upon starting the CDC process. This ensures the approval is ready and waiting when your Certifier reviews your file for the final Construction Certificate.
Streamlining your approval process.
Navigating the various layers of government approval is part of our daily workflow. If you need a team that manages the full documentation suite for a smooth project start, contact OAK Architecture and Design today.
