Melbourne Water has made significant updates to its Design and Construction Hub, introducing changes designed to streamline processes for developers working on drainage schemes and urban water infrastructure. These updates focus on improving clarity, efficiency, and alignment with industry standards, offering a detailed roadmap for developers to navigate submissions effectively.
A key feature of the updated homepage is a comprehensive checklist of prerequisites for each stage of the approval process, from detailed design to final completion, including the necessary financial approvals in between. While the list of requirements is extensive, it provides a valuable resource to ensure submissions are complete and reduce delays caused by incomplete applications.
One of the most notable improvements is the inclusion of specified timeframes for Melbourne Water’s response to each submission. For example, the processing time for a Practical Completion request is now clearly outlined as 53 business days. Similarly, a Detailed Design Review is expected to take 20 business days for a single asset type and 30 days for multiple asset types. Other stages, such as financial approvals, range from 33 to 35 days depending on the complexity of the variation. See the below chart for more information about Melbourne Water’s response times for each stage:
| Design & Construction Hub Process Steps | Duration |
|---|---|
| Detailed Design Review Submission |
20 Business days for single asset type |
| Detail Design Review Variation | 20 Business days for single asset type 30 Business days for multiple asset types |
| Site Environment Management Plan SEMP | 30 Business days |
| SEMP Variation | 30 Business days |
| Financial | 33 Business days |
| Financial Variation | 35 Business days |
| Progress Reimbursement | 35 Business days |
| Commencement of Establishment | 28 Business days |
| Pre-Commencement | 28 Business days |
| General Inspection | 15 Business days |
| Practical Completion | 53 Business days |
| Midterm Planting | 35 Business days |
| Final Completion | 53 Business days |
These defined durations allow developers to plan their projects more effectively, as they now have a clearer understanding of Melbourne Water’s internal processing times, which exclude any delays on the customer’s side.
Another important change involves ANCOLD supervision reports for retarding basins. Melbourne Water now requires a third-party review for critical elements such as encased or pressurised outlets. While this may increase documentation requirements and costs for developers, the change underscores a strong focus on safety and asset performance, particularly for complex infrastructure.
Developers working on drainage-related projects are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these updates, particularly the Developer Minimum Application Guideline, which provides a detailed breakdown of the requirements for each stage. All applications must be submitted online via the Design and Construction Hub. This shift toward a digital-first approach reflects Melbourne Water’s efforts to embrace technology and make the approval process more accessible and efficient.
For further details, visit Melbourne Water’s Design and Construction Hub homepage and access the latest Developer Minimum Application Guideline to ensure your project submissions are aligned with these new requirements.
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