Plumbing and drainage appeals

Under the Planning Act 2016, you can appeal to the Development Tribunals about particular types of decisions made under the:

What you can appeal

You can appeal a decision by a local government, a local government inspector or the Chief Executive of the Department of Energy and Public Works if you are either:

  • given an information notice about the decision
  • entitled to be given an information notice about the decision, even if you haven’t been given such a notice.

You can appeal any of these decisions:

  • a local government’s decision to:
    • issue a permit or amended permit with a condition
    • refuse to issue a permit
  • the Chief Executive’s decision to:
    • grant or amend the treatment plant approval with a condition
    • refuse to grant the treatment plant approval
  • a local government’s refusal to accept a remote area compliance notice
  • a local government’s deemed refusal to issue an inspection certificate or final inspection certificate (where there is a dispute)
  • a local government or inspector’s decision to issue an action notice requiring you to take action about plumbing or drainage work
  • a decision to issue an enforcement notice requiring you to take action about plumbing or drainage matters.

What you can’t appeal

You can’t appeal a:

  • decision about licensing or disciplinary matters under the Plumbing and Drainage Act
  • show cause notice issued by a local government before they issue an enforcement notice under the Plumbing and Drainage Act.

Time frames for appeals

  • Decision to give an action notice: within 5 business days after receiving an action notice or information notice about the decision (or both)
  • Decision to give an enforcement notice:
    • within 20 business days after receiving the notice generally
    • within 5 business days if the plumbing or drainage on the premises is a danger or health risk to occupiers of the premises or the public
  • Other decision: within 20 business days after you receive an information notice about the decision

More information