Design & Approval of Developments That Impact the Water Table / Aquifer

Today’s presentation unpacks the regulatory framework governing aquifer interference activities in NSW, including the Water Management Act 2000, Water Sharing Plans and the NSW Aquifer Interference Policy. We’ll walk through how Councils, WaterNSW and DCCEEW assess groundwater impacts, and why early, informed design decisions, particularly around basement design, can mean the difference between a smooth approval process and costly delays.

Learning objectives 

By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear understanding of the NSW regulatory and approval framework for developments that impact the water table or aquifer.

We’ll look at how basement design can create aquifer interference risks and how to identify the right assessment, referral and approval steps during the DA and pre-construction stages.

We’ll also explore best-practice approaches to basement and groundwater management, showing how informed design decisions can minimise aquifer impacts, simplify approvals and support compliant project delivery.

AACA NSCA Competency Standards:
PC12 PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
PC24 PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
PC32 PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

Speaker

Steve Darwell  – Chief Operating Officer, Dincel Structural Walling