From the start of 2011 all new household dams in rural-urban fringe areas in Victoria will need to be registered with rural water corporations.
The regulations came into effect on 1 January 2011. They require property owners in rural residential areas to register with their rural water corporation any new aesthetic dam, domestic and stock dam, or plans to significantly alter existing dams before commencing any works.
However, while property owners are encouraged to register their dams, the Minister for Water Peter Walsh announced a two month period of grace until 1 March 2011 before the water corporations put formal registration programs in place.
A rural residential area is any property located within the rural living zone, green wedge zones and any residential zone as defined by Victoria's Planning Schemes, or any property that is eight hectares (20 acres) or smaller.
You can check with your local council if your property is in a rural residential zone. Property owners can also find out what zone they live in at http://services.land.vic.gov.au/landchannel/jsp/map/PlanningMapsIntro.jsp
People with existing dams in rural residential areas will not need to register them unless they want to significantly enlarge them.
Property owners who live outside a rural residential area (with a property size greater than eight hectares) do not need to register their domestic and stock dams.
If you require a surface water licence (take and use) or a dam construction licence then you do not need to also register your dam. Your licence application form is sufficient for the purpose of the regulation.
If you are unsure whether you need to register your dam or actually require a licence you can refer to the below flowchart.
To register your new domestic and stock dam, or alterations to your existing dam, contact Goulburn-Murray Water on (03) 5826 3500.
DSE questions and answers flyer
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Questions & Answers
How do I know if I have to get my dam registered?
From the start of this year all new or altered household dams used for aesthetic, domestic or stock watering purposes within rural residential areas of Victoria need to be registered with rural water corporations before commencing any work.
A rural residential area is any property located within the rural living zone, green wedge zones and any residential zone as defined by Victoria's Planning Schemes, or any property that is eight hectares (20 acres) or smaller.
The regulations came into effect on 1 January 2011, however, property owners will be given a two month period of grace until 1 March 2011 before water corporations put in place their formal registration programs.
Property owners in rural residential areas are also required to register their dams if they plan to significantly alter them, before starting work.
An interactive map is available via Planning Maps Online, found via www.land.vic.gov.au to help property owners determine which zone they live in.
What does the grace period until 1 March 2011 mean?
To allow time for information about the new regulations to be more widely known, the Minister for Water, Peter Walsh MLA announced a grace period until 1 March 2011. During this time property owners are encouraged to voluntarily register their dam. After 1 March the registration process becomes mandatory.
Do farm dams need to be registered?
Property owners who live outside a rural residential area, with a property size greater than eight hectares, do not need to register their domestic and stock dams.
If you require a surface water licence (take and use) or a dam construction licence then you do not need to also register your dam. Your licence application form is sufficient for the purpose of the regulation.
How much will I have to pay?
Some rural water corporations may charge a small, one-off administration fee to cover costs. Contact G-MW regarding fee requirements.
What happens if I don't get it registered?
If you don't register your dam them you are actually not complying with government regulations, which is an offence. The offence is up to 10 penalty units ($1194.50).
My neighbour has an unregistered dam being built - what should I do?
Let them know of the regulation, or contact G-MW.
Why do I need to register my dam?
The registration of new dams will improve the understanding and management of the growth of new or enlarged domestic and stock water use in rural residential areas across Victoria.
Can my rural water corporation stop me from building a domestic and stock dam?
No, a water corporation will not stop people building a dam that meets their rights under current legislation. If the dam you plan to register actually requires either a construction licence or take and use licence, then the water corporation will require you to obtain such a licence before the dam is built. These arrangements existed before the new regulations were introduced.