Water permits and licences

What work requires a WAA permit?

Water affecting activities are activities that impact watercourses, dams, lakes, floodplains, springs, wetlands, and waterholes. All activities in these areas have the potential to have significant negative impacts on water users and the environment, especially if poorly designed, located, constructed or maintained.

Activities that require a Water Affecting Activity Permit include but are not limited to:

• Water diversion and storage - erection, construction, modification, enlargement, or removal of a dam, wall or other structure

• Building a structure in a watercourse, lake or floodplain

• Drainage or discharge of water into a watercourse or lake

• Depositing objects or solid material in a watercourse, lake or floodplain

• Obstructing a watercourse

• Excavation or removal of rock, sand or soil from a watercourse, lake or floodplain

• Destroying vegetation growing in a watercourse or lake, or growing on the floodplain of a watercourse.

What work can I do without a WAA permit?

Some work can go ahead without a water affecting activity permit if it follows the Board’s guidelines.  These guidelines set out the best approaches, methods or design to carry out certain works.

Activities that do not require a permit, when done in line with the guidelines below include:

• Desilting your dam - download guidelines
• Removing vegetation from a watercourse, lake or floodplain  - download guidelines
• Fencing on a watercourse -download guidelines
• Sediment control within a watercourse in a bushfire affected area - download guidelines

Even if these guidelines are followed and a permit isn’t required, you must still contact us on 8391 7500 to confirm before starting any work.

Do I need a WAA permit to modify, construct or enlarge a dam?

Before starting any work to construct, enlarge or modify a dam, you must have Water Affecting Activity permit in place.

Carrying out works on dams without the necessary permits can lead to compliance action and additional costs. 

It is important to be aware that due to the high number of existing dams and the need to protect water-dependent ecosystems, most applications for new or enlarged dams within the Mount Lofty Ranges are currently not being approved. 

Before beginning your application speak to our water resources team to see if these restrictions apply to your location.  This will help you avoid delays and ensure your project meets both legal and environmental requirements.

How do I apply for a WAA permit?

Step 2:  Contact us  
Contact our Water Resources team on 8391 7500 or via HFwaterteam@sa.gov.au to check if your proposed activities need a permit. 

Reaching out before preparing your application ensures you receive tailored advice which will help you complete your application form.

Step 2:  Prepare your application
Fill out the applicable application with as much detail as possible, this will help streamline the assessment process.

• Water affecting activity permit application form for culverts and fords

• Water affecting activity permit application form for all other works

• Water affecting activity permit application form for water storage and diversion

Step 3: Submit your applciation
Pay your application fee and email or post your application to:

hf.landscapeboard@sa.gov.au

Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board
8/22 Mann Street, 
Mount Barker, SA, 5251

To help speed up assessment, ensure your application includes: 

• Landholder permission (if applicable)
• a copy of proof of payment (payment instructions found in application forms)
• photos
• maps illustrating the proposed works site
• specifications documents i.e. drawings (if applicable), and
• reports (if applicable).

How is my application assessed?

Your application will be assessed against the policies and principles in the Hills and Fleurieu Water Allocation Control Policy and relevant Water Allocation Plans for prescribed surface water areas.

What are the penalties for not obtaining a Water Affecting Activity Permit?

Undertaking a water affecting activity without a permit or, in breach of the permit conditions is an offence under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. If you are unsure whether the works you are proposing will require a permit, call the Water Resources team for advice before undertaking any works.

Contractors must ensure a landowner has a Water Affecting Activity permit in place before starting work. Both can be held legally responsible for work done without a permit.

The serving of protection orders or criminal/civil enforcement notices may be undertaken by the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board or the Department for Environment and Water for breaches of the act. Financial penalties or prosecution may also apply.