Most of us think about gravity in a scientific sense or (for the older among us) your mind might be cast back to The Curiosity Show experiments or NASA space exploration.

Surprisingly, gravity is important in development when it comes to services. Major urban utilities we rely upon being sewerage infrastructure and stormwater mains are typically gravity services.

Using gravity means that in order to move water or sewage, a difference in elevation is required. To work, the pipes need to slope downward away from the source to the intended destination.

In some circumstances, councils and utility providers may allow for stormwater and sewage to be pumped uphill but this is an exception and not the norm. In most cases this will not be possible and you may need your neighbour to consent to access services or provide services on their land.

As such you need to realise the gravity of the situation (pun intended!) and consider this during site acquisitions and when undertaking due diligence.

It is critical that you talk to your town planner and/or civil engineer so you have a clear understanding of servicing requirements, and when these will form a potential impediment to development.

Consult Planning are experts in these matters and often assist in undertaking due diligence for potential property acquisitions. For specific advice regarding these matters send us an email to office@consultplanning.com.au or call us on 1300 017 540.

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to provide accurate information, Consult Planning does not guarantee that this blog article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use. Requirements and standards frequently change so every individual proposal should be thoroughly investigated.