Groundwater works licensing

This form is used for licensing of works related to groundwater bores.

This application form can be used to:

  • apply for a new licence to construct, replace, alter and/or decommission groundwater bore(s)
  • apply to amend, renew or transfer an existing licence to construct or alter groundwater works

to take and use water for a licensable or non-licensable purpose.

Licensable purpose:  The water is for irrigation or for supplying a dairy shed, feedlot, piggeries or poultry farm, recreational or sporting fields or in conjunction with the operation of a commercial business or premises including mining, aquaculture, water bottling, the provision of guest accommodation and watering commercial grounds or gardens.

Non-licensable purpose:  The water is for investigation, observation or domestic and/or stock.

Table of Contents

Before you start

GMW recommends that you fully investigate the potential for accessing groundwater entitlement in your area. In some areas, such as Water Supply Protection Areas and Groundwater Management areas, licence entitlement will be limited by a cap called a Permissible Consumptive Volume (PCV). A PCV may restrict or prevent the issuing of new licence entitlements. This may mean that trading is the only way to source groundwater licence entitlement.

You are urged to consult with GMW prior to making an application to determine whether restrictions or conditions apply to groundwater entitlement in your area.

For information and maps of Groundwater Management Units, visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au

The application process

The application process depends on the intended use of the water:

  1. Submit this application and pay the application fee.
  2. GMW will assess the application and if approved, a Licence to Construct or Alter Groundwater Works will be issued and you can proceed to engage a licensed driller to construct the bore/s.
  3. When the bore(s) are completed, your licensed driller must issue a bore completion report to GMW.

If the application is to take and use water for a licensable purpose:

  1. When this report is received, GMW will forward an application for a Licence to Take and Use Water and Operate Works.
  2. You submit the application for a Licence to Take and Use Water and Operate Works and pay the application fee.
  3. GMW will assess the application and if approved, a Licence to Take and Use Water and Operate the Works will be issued authorising extraction and use of an annual volume of water from the bore/s for the licensed purpose.

Application types

Apply for a licence to construct new bore(s)

  • A licence is required to construct any new bore

Apply for a licence to replace existing bore(s) 

  • If the bore is beyond repair or is not functioning you may decide to construct a replacement bore.
  • You can make application providing that the site of the replacement bore is not more than 20 metres from the existing bore and will be constructed to the same depth and diameter as the existing bore. 
  • If the bore site, depth or diameter is to be different, an application for a new licence to construct works must be submitted.
  • Please contact the GMW’s Licensing Unit if you are unsure of the proposed construction site.
  • A licence to decommission the bore being replaced will also be issued.
  • Once the bore completion report has been submitted to GMW within 28 days of completion of the works, GMW will amend your existing licence to include the replacement bore.
  • No application fee will apply to amend the licence for replacement bores only.

Apply for a licence to alter existing bore(s)

  • If you intend to make any structural changes to the bore (including deepening the bore, adding additional spear points to an existing system, repairing or replacing casings or screens) a licensed driller must be engaged to carry out the works and a licence must be obtained.

Apply for a licence to decommission bore(s)

  • Under the provisions of the Water Act 1989 (Vic), any work conducted on a bore, including the decommissioning of a bore must not be carried out until a licence has been issued.
  • Licensing this activity ensures that works are carried out correctly and will not pose any ongoing risks to the public safety or the environment. It also ensures that accurate records are kept in relation to the status of bores across GMW’s region.
  • There is no application fee for a Licence to Decommission Works
  • The licence may be issued with the licence to construct the replacement bore.
  • In most cases where the bore is shallow and has intersected only a single aquifer system, it is acceptable for the bore owner to carry out the work.
  • The decommissioning of bores that are deep, flowing or have intersected more than one aquifer system can be more complex and it is a requirement that the work be undertaken by a suitably licensed driller.
  • You should contact GMW’s Licensing Unit to determine if you need to engage a licensed driller prior to commencing any works.

Apply to amend an existing licence

  • You can apply to amend an existing investigation licence to change proposed bore site/depth or add additional land/s
  • You can apply to amend an existing observation licence to add additional no of bores to be constructed or change proposed bore site or add additional land/s.

Apply to renew an existing licence

  • A Licence to Construct Works is valid for 12 months. You may apply to renew a works licence once by lodging an application before the existing licence is due to expire.

  • An existing licence may only be renewed for one further term, if works have not been carried out within the licence renewal period, an application for a new licence will be required.

Apply to transfer an existing licence

  • A Licence to Construct Works may be transferred upon sale of land to the new owners of land provided it has not expired.

Fees and payment

Application fees cover the full cost of undertaking a licence assessment in accordance with GMW’s legal obligations under the Water Act 1989.

This includes:

  • administering the application
  • undertaking a full site inspection
  • reviewing any submissions made in relation to your application and
  • if required, referring the application for an Irrigation Development Guidelines assessment.

In most cases a technical assessment will be conducted by a GMW hydro geologist. They will determine if extraction of groundwater may have any potential impacts on other groundwater users in your area or the environment.

If your licence is approved your new licence will be recorded in the Victorian Water Register and you will receive a copy of the licence document.

Application fees are not refundable if an application is refused.

FAQs

The most common type of bore is a hole which is drilled by a large drilling rig. The definition of a bore also includes a sump, well, drag line or any excavation used to intercept, collect and store groundwater for the purpose of taking and using it.

Under the provisions of the Water Act 1989 (Vic), any person who constructs, alters or replaces a groundwater bore greater than three metres in depth must obtain a licence to construct works prior to commencing. 

If the work has not been completed by the expiry date, the licence may be renewed once only. If works have not been carried out within the licence renewal period, an application for a new licence will be required.

When the bore is constructed and equipped you may commence using the water for domestic and/or stock purposes only.

At any time if you wish to use the water for any licensable purpose you must make application for a licence to take and use water and operate the works.

A licence to take and use water is required if you intend to use the water for irrigation or for supplying a dairy shed, feedlot, piggeries or poultry farm. A licence is also required if the water is to be used on recreational or sporting fields or in conjunction with the operation of a commercial business or premises. This includes mining, aquaculture, water bottling, the provision of guest accommodation and watering commercial grounds or gardens.

Investigation Bores

  • Investigation bores are constructed for the purpose of investigating the potential to access underground water resources at a specified location.
  • A works licence issued for investigation authorises the drilling of a number of test holes but does not authorise any bores to be developed or retained after the drilling rig has been removed from the site.
  • If a works licence is issued for investigation, groundwater may not be taken or used for any purpose apart from water quality testing.

Observation Bores

Observation bores are constructed for the purpose of monitoring groundwater levels at a particular site.

Bores may only be constructed to a maximum diameter of 130mm unless specifically approved by GMW.

Water may only be extracted from these bore(s) for the purposes listed below:

  • measurement of offsite impacts
  • as part of a state or authority measurement network
  • observation of environmental issues
  • undertaking hydro geological assessments if directed by GMW

Domestic and/or Stock

An owner or occupier of land on which a bore is located, may have the right (sometimes called a private right) to take and use water solely for the purposes of:

  • household use
  • watering of stock and pets
  • watering of a kitchen garden (up to 0.4 hectares)

The steps to obtain a licence to construct a bore for domestic and/or stock purposes:

  1. Complete this application and lodge with GMW along with the application fee. The application will be assessed and if approved, a licence to Construct Works will be issued and you can proceed to engage a driller to construct the bore.
  2. When the bore is completed, a bore completion report must be issued to GMW by your driller. When this report is received GMW will register your bore for domestic and stock use and you can commence using the water.
  • After you lodge your application, GMW will notify you in writing if you are required to advertise and/or notify your neighbours.
  • GMW will send out the proforma for advertising and notification to neighbours, this will include a reference number which relates to your application.
  • If the volume sought in the application is 20ML or greater, you will be required to advertise and notify neighbours.
  • If the volume is 19ML or less, only notification of neighbours will apply.
  • If a replacement bore is with 20 metres of the existing bore you will NOT be required to advertise or notify neighbours.

Your bore needs to be located at least 30m from the Authorities channel, reserve or easement unless authorised by the Authority; at least 200m from the nearest waterway, unless authorised by the Authority; and 300m from any bore not in the licence holders ownership (including observation bores). GMW will evaluate the impact to surrounding features as part of their assessment, however applicants may be requested to provide additional information to support their applications.

If you intend to make any structural changes to the bore (including deepening the bore, adding additional spear points to an existing system, repairing or replacing casings or screens) a licensed driller must be engaged to carry out the works and you must apply for a licence to alter the works.

If the bore is beyond repair, you can make application for a licence to construct a new bore. The failed bore must be decommissioned.

If you own a bore that is not part of a regular maintenance schedule, it may need to be decommissioned particularly if it is:

  • More than 20 years old and not in current use
  • Constructed from steel casing that is damaged or corroded
  • Pumping sand
  • Yielding saltier/poorer quality water than it has in the past
  • Flowing uncontrollably
  • Dewatering quickly
  • Silted, collapsed or blocked
  • No longer needed or has been replaced by a new bore

Under the provisions of the Water Act 1989 (Vic), any work conducted on a bore, including the decommissioning of a bore must not be carried out until a Licence to Decommission Works has been issued.

Licensing this activity ensures that works are carried out correctly and will not pose any ongoing risks to the public safety or the environment. It also ensures that accurate records are kept in relation to the status of bore/s across GMW’s region.

In most cases where the bore is shallow and has intersected only a single aquifer system, it is acceptable for the bore owner to carry out the work.

The decommissioning of bores that are deep, flowing or have intersected more than one aquifer system, can be more complex and it is a requirement that the work be undertaken by a suitably licensed driller.

You should contact GMW’s Licensing Unit to determine if you need to engage a licensed driller prior to commencing any works.

If the work has not been completed by the expiry date, the licence may be renewed once only.

If works have not been carried out within the licence renewal period, an application for a new licence will be required.

You must engage a licensed driller to drill and construct a new or replacement bore or if you are altering an existing bore.

Your nominated driller cannot commence drilling until you have obtained a licence to construct works.

The licence conditions must be clearly understood by yourself and your nominated driller before drilling is undertaken.

Assistance with the application

Please read the information provided and if you need further assistance contact the Licensing Unit between 8.00am and 4.45pm Monday to Friday on 1800 013 357 (free call from most fixed line phones) or licensingadmin@gmwater.com.au

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