Officers have the discretion to take no action (or are unable to take action) in circumstances where:
- the surface water is natural run-off from the property (or properties above) due to the topography and it isn't redirected in any manner
- surface water is flowing down and/or across existing hard surface areas such as driveways, tennis courts, concrete slabs or paved areas
- the location of a dwelling or outbuilding impacts on surface run-off
- surface water run-off occurs only in periods of exceptionally heavy rain
- surface water is a result of overflows from stormwater absorption pits where contours of land and lack of access prevent direct connection of a building's roof water to the council's stormwater drainage system
- the run-off is from new development work has been constructed in accordance with a development consent
- the drainage problem involves discharges from defective or blocked private inter-allotment drainage easement infrastructure (e.g. pipes and drainage pits).
Note: private inter allotment easements are the responsibility of the property owners who are burdened by and/or benefited by the easement.
If you become involved in a dispute the Community Justice Centre (phone 1800 990 777) offers free mediation for neighbourhood disputes.