For all work that will impact on our remote power, water or sewerage service networks, you will need to apply to connect to services or increase your load.

To enable the efficient and safe connection of of our services in remote Aboriginal communities, we have a set of Indigenous Community Engineering Guidelines which outline our requirements for development activity.

These developments may include:

  • new building/s on a new or existing lot
  • extensions to an existing building
  • demolishing and rebuilding a structure.

Designers and developers working in remote locations should also refer to the Environmental Health Standards for Remote Communities in the Northern Territory. This includes specific plumbing references in addition to the requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

Safety is our number one priority

To help you return home safely at the end of every day, you should familiarise yourself with access requirements and induction processes that may apply.

Safety and access

Supporting our contractors and suppliers

If you're a contractor or supplier to Power and Water, here are some guiding and support documents.

Procurement and tenders

Remote water and power service development information for...

It is important to ensure the proposed land use of your new or proposed development in communities fits with the area plan, and that this plan has been granted from the relevant land body.

  • Department of Infrastructure Planning and Logistics  - DIPL
  • Development Assessment Services - DAS
  • Central Land Council – CLC
  • Northern Land Council – NLC
  • East Arnhem Regional Council – EARC
  • West Arnhem Regional Council – WARC
  • Tiwi Islands Regional Council – TIRC

Please contact Remote Development for further details and information on other key stakeholders that may require consultation for development activities in Remote Communities serviced by Power and Water.

Designers and developers working in remote locations should also refer to the Environmental Health Standards for Remote Communities in the Northern Territory. This includes specific plumbing references in addition to requirements outlined in the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

It is important to note there are specific requirements relating to the use of corrosive-resistant connecting pipework, fittings and fixtures due to the corrosive nature of water within 100 kilometres of the coast.

These special requirements for fittings, such as valves, are also outlined in our standard drawings for connections repository.

The Indigenous Community Engineering Guidelines set out requirements by the Department of Local Government, Housing and Community Development for development activity in remote communities. The document provides guidance for all of the following types of work:

  • investigation of essential service systems
  • water
  • sewerage
  • electricity.

To assist you with your submission, please contact remote development team about:

  • land development approval
  • lot servicing in the planning and construction phases
  • water mains
  • sewer mains
  • electrical network.

As part of your submission to us, you should include a plan showing the proposed lot and how you propose to service it. We recommend consulting us on the existing services and service requirements.

Once approved, the lot servicing plan will be sent to you as well as the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics for further processing, lot number creation or updating of records for extensions and renovations to existing lots.

Some things you should consider in your application include:

  • lot land use
  • maximum demand or loads
  • any special service requirements
  • proposed or existing service connection points service meters
  • lot boundary dimensions
  • adjacent lot layout - please show the proposed lot with reference to adjacent lots.

These general procedural requirements for development in remote Aboriginal communities are designed to help you meet your obligations.

Learn more about our remove development process