Rainwater TanksAs Canberra grows bigger with new housing developments and roads, it is inevitable that the volume and frequency of stormwater runoff will increase, due to the introduction of more impervious surface areas (roofs and tarmac). This is why rainwater tanks are so important. By collecting and redirecting rainwater from the roof to use in your home and garden, you can reduce demand on the public water supply. You can also reduce the amount of stormwater runoff that reaches our creeks and rivers, where it can cause downstream flooding and erosion. The ACT Planning and Land Authority requires the location, size and installation of rainwater tanks to be appropriate to the streetscape character and not to impact on the amenity of residents. A development application (and perhaps building approval) 'is not' required if the tank:
A development application (and perhaps building approval) 'is' required if:
For more information about development applications and building approvals for rainwater tanks contact Environment and Sustainable Development on 6207 1926. For more information on the benefits of installing a rainwater tank,
how to size a tank to suit your needs, how much rainwater different
size tanks can harvest, installation and approval requirements and
tank maintenance, see the ACT Government's Rainwater
tank guidelines for residential properties in the ACT |