Temporary dewatering application

You require approval from Bayside Council if you are planning to discharge extracted ground water from your site into the drainage systems including road gutters, pits, and pipes.

A shallow groundwater table is present in Bayside Council Local Government Area (LGA) so excavations on many sites will intersect the groundwater table which requires dewatering.

We require the discharged water to be managed effectively, adherence to environmental regulations, and active minimisation of any impact on the local environment and community.

This is not a permit to extract groundwater from the site. It is a permit to manage the disposal of the extracted groundwater during the construction process.

Approval is required from WaterNSW under the Water Management Act to extract groundwater from the site. More information on WaterNSW requirements can be found from the following: 

This is not a permit to permanently dewater the site. This permit is issued to temporarily dewater a construction site within a set time period.

Water quality requirements

All extracted groundwater must adhere to applicable environmental water quality requirements to ensure no harm is caused to the environment.

This application will need to include a dewatering management plan and a water quality plan prepared by suitability qualified professional, like a geotechnical engineer, environmental engineer or water quality scientist.

See the Temporary Dewatering Permit Guidelines for further information.

Supporting documentation

We require lodgement of all plans and supporting documentation in digital form as PDF documents. Check the Lodgement Guidelines for Engineering Applications.

  • Dewatering Management Plan – Prepared but qualified water quality scientist or an appropriately qualified person acceptable to Council and must address the entire criteria listed in the Temporary Dewatering Permit Guidelines.
  • Geotechnical Engineering Report – A geotechnical report prepared by a qualified geotechnical engineer which includes the following information:
    • Inspection reports or borehole/test pit logs.
    • Field/laboratory test results
    • Recommendations for stability and protection of excavations.
    • Methodology of assessing and confirming foundation, underpinning and/or excavation stability in accordance with the design.
  • Certificate of Currency – A Certificate of Currency must identify the proposed permit holder as the insured party, with the value of Public Liability Insurance being no less than $20,000,000. The Certificate of Currency must have an expiry date at least three (3) months later than the finish date for the proposed work activity.
  • TfNSW Approval – Written consent from TfNSW for approval of the installation of proposed ground anchors under a Classified Road.

Apply online

Press the Apply online button to start the application process, you will be asked to make a payment to complete lodgement.

Payments made by MasterCard or Visa incur a service fee of 0.5%

Apply in person

Download and print the application form, and lodge when completed to any of our Customer Service Centres.

Similar applications

You will also be required apply for Temporary Shoring/Support using Ground Anchors in Council Land Application if you propose to install temporary ground anchors in a public road to support excavation below the existing road surface.

Fees and Charges

Fees and charges apply. Please see the fees and charges page for more information.

After lodgement

Once your application is received you may be contacted for further information.

Your application is not a permit to undertake work. Your permit will only be issued after assessment, approval and outstanding fees are paid in full.

A minimum period of 10 working days is required to assess the application.  Longer processing times are required for large works or for activities on Classified roads, which require the concurrence from relevant stakeholders.

If you have any questions, contact on 1300 581 299 Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 5pm

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    Apply Online or print form and apply in person