How far from the boundary can stormwater be discharged?
Summary (TL;DR)
Stormwater must always be directed to a "lawful point of discharge" (usually the street kerb or council stormwater main). If local council permits discharge to the ground via rubble pits or dispersion trenches, it generally must be kept a minimum of 1.0m to 1.5m away from any property boundary or building footing to prevent nuisance flooding or structural damage.
Stormwater Discharge Rules (AS/NZS 3500.3 & NCC)
Managing stormwater is a major source of disputes between neighbours. The plumbing standards and the National Construction Code (NCC) have strict rules to prevent you from flooding the property next door.
The Lawful Point of Discharge
You cannot simply run a downpipe onto the grass near a fence. All stormwater must be conveyed to a lawful point of discharge nominated by the local council. This is typically:
- The kerb and channel in the street
- An inter-allotment drainage pit at the rear of the block
- A council stormwater main
On-Site Disposal (Rubble Pits)
In areas where connecting to council infrastructure isn't possible (e.g., acreage or sloping blocks), council may approve on-site disposal via absorption trenches or rubble pits. When doing this, you must adhere to clearance rules:
- From property boundaries: Minimum 1.0m to 1.5m (check specific local council policies, as some require 3.0m).
- From building footings: Minimum 1.5m to 3.0m to prevent undermining the slab or stumps.
- From retaining walls: Must not discharge within the zone of influence of a retaining wall.
Check Local Council Rules Instantly
Stormwater rules vary wildly between Brisbane City Council, Gold Coast, and Logan. TradeDesk.now includes a QLD Compliance Checker that instantly pulls the specific stormwater policies for all 12 SEQ councils, so you never get caught out.