Activities that affect our water resources in the Limestone Coast
Landscape activities can impact the health and condition of water resources, the ecosystems that depend on them and other water users. These activities are called water affecting activities and some need a permit from the Limestone Coast Landscape Board.
Start by getting in touch with us
Whether you need a permit or an exemption applies depends on the activity you are doing and where you are doing it. If you need a permit we can also help you through the application process.
The permit process may take up to two months so you should get in contact well ahead of when you want to do the activity. Permits are usually valid for one year from the date of issue.
If you are thinking about doing something that might be a water affecting activity contact us to discuss.
Examples of activities that are water affecting
The Water Affecting Activities Control Policy details what activities are water affecting and whether they need a permit.
Examples of these activities include:
Dams or structures to collect or divert water
Building in a watercourse, lake or floodplain
Discharging water into a watercourse or lake
Placing an object in a watercourse or lake
Obstructing a watercourse or lake in any other manner
Placing an object on a floodplain or near the bank or shore of a lake to control flooding
Destroying vegetation growing in a watercourse or lake
Taking substrate from a watercourse, lake, or floodplain
Water Affecting Activities Control Policy [PDF, 536 KB]
Some activities may need other approvals
Some activities that you want to do may need approval or permits from other agencies. We can help you understand what other approvals might be needed. These can include:
- Authorisation from the Native Vegetation Council to clear vegetation.
- Local council development approval for some dams.
- Approval from the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water for wells, imported water, using effluent and commercial forestry.
- Approval from the South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board for private water management works on drains.
- Approval under the Native Title (South Australia) Act 1994 for alienated crown land.
Apply for a water affecting activities permit
You will apply for all your water affecting activities permit through the mywater portal. mywater is South Australia’s new 24/7 online water management system and customer portal that manages licences, trade and permits in one place. The Limestone Coast Landscape Board will support you through the application process.
A fee of $65.00 (GST exempt) must be paid at the time of permit application. Your application will not progress until the fee is paid.
For technical support in using the mywater portal you can contact the mywater Contact Centre at dew.mywater@sa.gov.au or call 08 7133 7333 during business hours.
Department for Environment and Water - mywater
Assessment of your water affecting activities permit application
Your permit application will be assessed against the principles and objectives outlined in the policy and the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. You may need to provide more supporting information and allow a site visit to assist with assessing your application.
We will contact you in writing about our assessment of your application. If approved you may have conditions on the approved permit.
If your permit application is not approved, or you disagree with any of the permit conditions, you may appeal. Appeals must occur within six weeks of the decision to the Environment, Resources and Development Court.
Notify us when you complete your works
When you complete your works you must notify us. We may require a site visit to finalise the works.
Apply for a Best Practice Operating Procedure for Water Affecting Activities
Our Water Affecting Activity Control Policy allows for the use of an agreed Best Practice Operating Procedure as a way to approve some water affecting activities.
Best Practice Operating Procedures are specifically for agencies or organisations that undertake activities across multiple locations and on a regular basis as part of their standard work practices.
Talk to us to find out if a Best Practice Operating Procedure might be appropriate for your activity.
Approved Best Practice Operating Procedures
These Best Practice Operating Procedures have been approved by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board:
Department for Infrastructure and Transport
- Date of issue: 25 January 2024.
- Date of expiry: 31 December 2026 or upon adoption of a new Limestone Coast Regional Water Affecting Activity Control Policy, whichever occurs first.
- Activities allowed: Sub sections (b), (d), (e) and (f) of Section 104 (4) of the Landscape South Australia Act 2019.
- Area covered: Limestone Coast landscape region.