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If you are planning to install a rainwater
harvesting system (like rainwater tanks), there
are a few things you should know.
In February 2007, Council redeveloped a new
Rainwater Harvesting and Use Policy POL-3015 and
Guideline GL-3015 to help:
 with installing rainwater harvesting systems
 lessen domestic, commercial and industrial
reliance on mains water
 protect our City’s waterways by reducing urban
stormwater run-off and
 raise community awareness of sustainable water
use.
Where can I find a copy of the policy and guideline?
You can ask for a copy at one of Council’s Customer
Service Centres or download a copy from our
website www.redland.qld.gov.au.
Your tank must meet the following:
 inlets and outlets are fitted with mosquito screens
 rainwater overflow is diverted by a pipe to
approved stormwater infrastructure
 the water collection device and supporting
structure is properly fitted to manufacturer’s
specifications
 it is not higher than the eaves.
 pumps or motors are permitted where fitted with an
acoustic enclosure to reduce noise emissions to –
o 5dB(A) above the background noise level
between 7am to 10pm or
o 3dB(A) above the background noise level
between 10pm to 7am.
Do I need a plumbing approval for my rainwater
tank?
You don’t need a plumbing application if your
rainwater is used for outdoor activities, like watering
the garden or car washing, and there is no
interconnection with the mains water supply.
Where rainwater is used indoors for toilet flushing
and in the laundry, a reliable water supply is needed
to give uninterrupted use of fixtures.
This is done by interconnecting the rainwater
harvesting system with the reticulated mains water
supply. In this case, a plumbing application is
required.
Do I need a building approval for my rainwater
tank?
You don’t need a building application if your tank
complies with the following:
 the capacity of the collection device is 5000 litres
or less
 the height of the tank including support structures
does not exceed 2.4 metres (refer to the Building
Regulation 2006 13(2)(b)
 where the tank is less than 2.4 metres in height
(including supporting structures such as a stand).
Please note that where the tank exceeds 2.4
metres in height (including supporting structures
such as a stand), the minimum setback
requirement is 1.5 metres (refer to Part 11 & 12 of
the Queensland Development Code (QDC))
 where the tank is located further than 6 metres to
the road boundary
 where excavation and fill is involved it complies
with the standards in the Building Regulation 2006
(refer to section 1 of figure 1)
 where a retaining wall is required it –
o is setback at least half the height of the wall
from any boundary
o does not exceed one (1) metre in height;
o complies with the standards in the Building
Regulation 2006 (refer to section 2 of figure 1)
 it does not impact (encroach upon) another
structure like a roof, wall, fence, easement,
stormwater or sewerage pipes
 it is located behind the front building line.
To gain approval, rainwater harvesting systems that
require a plumbing or building application are to satisfy
the guideline criteria detailed in Sections 2 to 6 in the
Rainwater Harvesting and Use Guideline GL-3015.
For more help with deciding whether your proposed
rainwater harvesting system requires a building or
plumbing application, please refer to the Rainwater
Harvesting and Use Policy POL-3015 and Guideline
GL-3015.
Underground rainwater tanks=
Partly buried or buried rainwater tanks that interconnect
to the potable water supply are required to have a
testable backflow prevention device fitted. These will
need to be tested yearly.
 Can I use rainwater to supply indoor fixtures?
Yes, the policy and guideline permits the
interconnection of rainwater to indoor fixtures for use in
the laundry and for toilet flushing only.
Can I use my tank water as drinking water?
The Australian Standards indicate that rainwater can
qualify as drinking water where appropriately managed.
Queensland Health proclaims that water from rainwater
tanks is an ideal substitute for reticulated water where it
is ensured that the quality of the water is appropriate for
the intended use.
The view supported by Redland City Council and
Queensland Health is that where reticulated water
supply is available the use of water from rainwater
tanks is not recommended for drinking and food
preparation. Therefore, for areas that are serviced by
town water, plumbing rainwater to shower, dishwasher,
sink and drinking outlets is not recommended under
Redland City Council’s Rainwater Harvesting and Use
Policy.
Does Council offer rebates for rainwater tanks and
water efficient shower heads/dual flush toilets?
Redland City Council does not offer rebates for
installation of water conservation devices such as
tanks, water efficient shower heads or dual flush toilet
systems.
However, on the 1st of November 2006 Council decided
to waive Council application and inspection fees for
home owners who are seeking to install a rainwater
harvesting system that requires a building or plumbing
application.
I am building a new house, do I have to apply
under this policy?
No, the Rainwater Harvesting and Use Policy and
Guideline do not apply for rainwater tanks installed as
part of a new home application. The rainwater tank
will be a part of the dwelling application and assessed
against the QDC Part 25 requirements.
For more information regarding New Water Savings
Targets for new homes please ring 3239 6369 or visit
their website at ÜííéWLLïïïKäÖéKèäÇKÖçîK~ìL\áÇZQNTQ
Where can I find a rainwater tank supplier?
You can look under ‘Tanks & Tank Equipment’ in the
Yellow Pages to find water tank suppliers that service
the Redlands.
For more information contact Redland City Council PO Box 21 Cleveland 4163
Telephone on 3829 8999 or fax 3829 8765 or visit our website www.redland.qld.gov.au or email rcc@redland.qld.gov.au.
Can I use greywater from my house?
On 1 March 2006, Council adopted a new Greywater
Use Policy POL-3033 and Guideline GL-3033 to accept
applications for greywater use facilities for garden
irrigation for Class1a buildings in sewered areas. For
further information regarding greywater use facilities
and whether it is suitable on your property, please refer
to the Greywater Use Fact Sheet.
Figure 1 - Building Regulation 2006 explained
1. Schedule 5 (4)
Filling or excavation is prescribed if –
(a) the proposed cut or fill is no deeper than one (1)
metre above or below the natural ground surface
for the relevant building or structure;
(b) any cut embankment is only into soil of a following
type and no steeper than gradient stated for the
soil type –
i. for sand – 2 horizontal to 1 vertical
ii. for silt – 4 horizontal to 1 vertical
iii. for firm clay – 1 horizontal to 1 vertical
iv. for soft clay – 3 horizontal to 2 vertical
(c) any fill embankment is not steeper than 4.0
horizontal to 1.0 vertical
(d) any compacted fill embankment is only into soil of a
following type and no steeper than gradient stated
for the soil type –
i. for sand – 3 horizontal to 2 vertical
ii. for silt – 4 horizontal to 1 vertical
for firm clay – 2 horizontal to 1 vertical.
2. Schedule 5 (3)
(a) Building work for a retaining wall is prescribed if –
i. there is no surcharge loading over the zone of
influence for the wall
ii. the total height of the wall and of the fill or cut
retained by the wall is no more than one (1)
metre above the wall’s natural ground surface
iii. the wall is not closer than 1.5 metres to a
building or another retaining wall.
Surcharge loading means a load applied to a soil
stratum that has, or may have, the effect of consolidating
the stratum, other than a load arising only from –
(a) persons or vehicles on, or moving over, the stratum
or
(b) the effects of rain on the stratum.
Zone of influence, for the retaining wall, means
the volume of soil stratum behind the wall that
affects the wall’s structural integrity
Current as at May 2009 - REF FS149