Circulars

06-47 – Stormwater Management Services Charge Guidelines

This Circular is to advise councils of the release of the Stormwater Management Services Guidelines.

The Guidelines have been developed to assist councils that wish to levy a stormwater management services charge. They describe in detail the requirements associated with levying the charge.

The Department of Local Government and the Department of Environment and Conservation have jointly prepared the Guidelines in consultation with the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW, local government finance and rating professional bodies, a number of councils and a number of Catchment
Management Authorities.

The Guidelines have been adopted under the provisions of section 23A as Director General’s Guidelines. As such, councils are required to consider these
Guidelines when levying a stormwater management services charge in accordance with section 496A of the Local Government Act 1993 and clauses 125A, 125AA, 200A and 217 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005.

The aims of the Guidelines are to:

  • explain the details related to levying the charge and allocating expenditure for stormwater management services to eligible privately owned land and
  • outline community consultation and reporting requirements through inclusion of particulars related to stormwater management services in council’s management plan and annual report.

The Guidelines replace the Frequently Asked Questions attached to the department’s Circular to Councils 06-24 Stormwater Management Services
Charge – Commencement of legislation and updated FAQs.

Garry Payne
Director General