Stormwater is rainwater that lands on surfaces like roofs, driveways, roads, and footpaths. The stormwater drainage system collects this water through outdoor drains and gutters, channelling it into our natural waterways such as creeks, rivers, groundwater and wetlands. Stormwater drainage systems play a vital role in managing rainwater runoff and protecting our community from flooding.
The stormwater drainage system is separate from the sewerage system, which handles wastewater from toilets, laundries, kitchens, and bathrooms. Only rainwater should enter the stormwater system—anything else is considered a pollutant and can harm our environment.
Landowner's responsibilities
Urban areas
- Ensure all roof gutters, rainwater tanks and subsoil drains are connected to an approved point of discharge.
- Install and maintain stormwater pipes, gutters, downpipes and other drainage systems on your property.
- Keep easements on your property clear of debris and well maintained to allow the natural flow of stormwater either to the field gully pit or other downstream point if no physical infrastructure is in place.
- Direct stormwater runoff into a drainage system that leads to a lawful point of discharge.
- Keep stormwater drains clear to prevent blockages and reduce the risk of flooding.
- Do not direct stormwater into greywater lines or discharge it directly onto the ground.
- Stormwater infrastructure on your property and outside your property all the way to the approved Council system remains your responsibility. This includes when the stormwater infrastructure crosses the verge to the kerb and your driveway. See our driveway crossover and stormwater crossover diagrams for reference.
Houses built after 1975
If your house was built after 1975, stormwater must be directed to an approved point of discharge, such as Council stormwater mains or the kerb and channel. For more information about stormwater connection regulations, please contact an accredited building certifier.
Houses built before or in 1975
For homes built before or in 1975, they can remain as per the original design unless they are renovated with additional roof area. At that time, a roof-water connection to a lawful point of discharge, such as the kerb and channel will be required.
Rural areas
- Your, or your neighbour’s property, may be covered by a Soil Conservation Plan that shows how runoff can be controlled and guided through a property to minimise erosion.
- The landowner manages groundwater on their property.
Council's responsibilties
- We are responsible for the maintenance of stormwater systems such as subsoil mains, gully pits, personal access chambers and any other Council owned stormwater infrastructure. If defects or reports of silt and debris are reported, we will inspect and assess the problem. Where safety is a concern an inspection will be carried out and emergency works will be undertaken if deemed necessary.
- All new residential subdivisions are required to ensure that the development does not cause a nuisance or environmental/property damage to existing or future neighbouring landowners.
- We only enforce conditions of development approvals, such as the connection of roof water to the stormwater drainage system if available and practicable to do so. Issues with overland stormwater flow between neighbouring properties are generally a civil matter to be resolved between the respective owners.
A number of problems may result from various factors relating to stormwater drainage.
We can help with:
Stormwater issues we can help with:
- Water coming from a neighbour's roof, gutter or bubbler. Read more about stormwater discharge investigations.
- Stormwater drainage system maintenance e.g. blocked Council pipes, table drains, cracked pipes.
- Water coming from a Council easement. Read more about stormwater easements.
- Neighbour's installation of a down pipe with an outlet near your property.
- Agricultural drain or seepage drain outlet causing water to flow across your property.
- Stormwater pollution. Report urgent pollution activity e.g. concrete poured down a drain, can be reported by calling 131 872.
- Erosion caused by stormwater flow.
Report stormwater issues
We also help with:
We don't deal with:
Issues we can't help with:
- Overland stormwater flow between neighbouring properties.
- Neighbour's construction of a fence, wall or building which causes water to dam rather than flow.
- Swimming pool water overflowing onto your property, caused by rainfall.
- A pre-1975 property which has pipes emptying onto the ground.
In the situations above, landowners are encouraged to talk to their neighbours about the problem and to seek a mutually suitable solution. If this is not possible, the South Queensland Dispute Resolution Centre provides a non-legal mediation service. They may be able to assist without the need for expensive legal proceedings. They can be contacted at 07 3239 6007.
- Water coming from your own property. The property owner should contact a licenced plumber/drainer for advice.
- Applications for a new stormwater crossover or maintenance / alteration of existing stormwater crossover on a main road or highway. These enquiries can be answered by the Department of Transport and Main Road on 07 4639 0777.
When managing roof water on your property, it is important to ensure it is directed to a legal point of discharge. There are three approved methods for connecting roof water:
- Kerb and channel: Direct the roof water to the kerb and channel at the street.
- Inter-allotment drainage system: Connect to an inter-allotment drainage system, following the requirements of Australian Standard AS/NZS 3500.3.2: 1998 (Clause 1.8).
- Soakage (rubble) pit: If the property’s slope does not allow for piping to a drainage system or street channel, install a soakage (rubble) pit. The surface outlet of the pit must be located at least three meters away from building foundations and property boundaries.
These options help ensure effective and compliant roof water management for your property.
Large parts of our stormwater network were built before current engineering design standards and may not always manage stormwater flows effectively.
When stormwater cannot enter the drainage system, it naturally travels to the nearest watercourse via overland flow paths. These paths typically follow roadways, public reserves, and footpaths, but in some cases, may pass through private property.
As the landowner, if your property is located downstream of other private or public properties, you are generally required to accept overland flow from those properties.
Read more about stormwater issues between neighbours
The road reserve plays a key role in stormwater drainage management by directing stormwater towards suitable disposal points. Driveway crossovers connect properties to the road network (see images below).
- For urban properties, an incorrect profile of the driveway crossover can result in stormwater flowing down the driveway instead.
- For rural properties, incorrect installation of pipe culverts beneath driveway crossovers can divert stormwater on to private property instead of being directed along the road reserve.
- Stormwater infrastructure on your property and outside your property all the way to the approved Council system remains your responsibility. This includes when the stormwater infrastructure crosses the verge to the kerb and your driveway. See our driveway crossover and stormwater crossover diagrams for reference.
Read more about driveway / stormwater crossover installation requirements
A stormwater drainage easement is a legal agreement that allows us to use a specific part of your property for stormwater management. This means we can install, maintain, and repair drainage infrastructure—such as pipes, ditches, or channels—to ensure stormwater flows freely and helps prevent flooding. While you still own the land and can use it, any use of the easement area must not interfere with its drainage function and may require our approval.
How to check if your property has a drainage easement
To find out if your property contains one of our stormwater drainage easements, visit our online mapping tool.
Check for easements on your property.
Types of stormwater drainage easements
Our stormwater drainage easements can take several forms, including:
- easements with Council infrastructure, such as pipes and headwalls
- easements with unformed or unlined drains
- easements containing natural creeks or gullies
- easements without any visible infrastructure.
The same general conditions apply to all easement types, but maintenance responsibilities may differ depending on the infrastructure present.
Find out about landowner and Council responsibilities regarding drainage easements.
Rules around drainage easements
- Structures or activities that block stormwater flow or change surface levels are generally not allowed within a stormwater drainage easement e.g. no buildings or gardens can be installed e.t.c.
- Property boundary fencing is permitted, provided the chosen fencing type does not reduce the capacity for water to flow or cause debris to accumulate.
- In exceptional circumstances, certain works may be approved if they include measures to address and mitigate any potential impacts on the function of the easement.
- All proposed works must demonstrate that the primary drainage function is preserved and that our access to the easement is maintained.
To seek our approval for works on or near an easement please submit the 'Building over or near water, sewer or stormwater services application' form.
Apply now
Both rural and urban areas can contribute to waterway pollution through stormwater runoff. As rainwater flows over impervious surfaces like roads, rooftops, and driveways, it can pick up a range of pollutants. These contaminants are then carried into storm drains, ditches and ultimately our streams, rivers, and lakes, impacting water quality and the environment.
Common pollutants include:
- sediment, dirt, sand, silt, mud
- grass clippings and yard waste
- paint
- chemicals
- cleaning products
- concrete
- oil
- vehicle fluids
- sewage and other waste materials.
Common activities that can cause stormwater pollution:
- uncovered soil or cement left beside roadside gutters, stormwater drains or waterways
- lack of adequate erosion and sediment measures, such as sediment fences and entry/exit rock pads or poorly maintained measures on a building or construction site
- sediment that hasn’t been cleaned up after a rain event on a building or construction site.
Building and earth works
Development is the main source of stormwater pollution. Disturbed soils, silt, litter and other materials can end up in our streams, rivers and water-ways causing both short- and long-term environmental problems.
Erosion and sediment control (ESC) measures reduce the degradation of land and water as a result of land development. You must show you have ESC measures in place if your development project involves soil-disturbing works.
An erosion and sediment control plan is a strategy to identify and manage erosion risks associated with your project. Your plan will show how you will reduce erosion and stop soils and other sediments from entering our region's waterways.
You may need to have your ESC plan reviewed by a suitably qualified professional and provide an inspection or design certificate. Failure to implement appropriate ESC measures can result in fines
Read more about sediment control on YourHome|Australian Government webpage.
Related law
The release of contaminants into waterways and stormwater is regulated under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. It is an offence, whether wilfully or unwilfully to:
- deposit a prescribed water contaminant into stormwater drains, roadside gutters or waterways
- deposit a prescribed water contaminant in a place where it could potentially wash, blow, fall or move into stormwater drains, roadside gutters or waterways
- release stormwater run-off which results in the build-up of earth in stormwater drains, roadside gutters or waterways.
Enforcement of the law
Where it is determined there has been a breach of the Act, we may:
- issue a warning
- issue a direction notice
- issue an on the spot warning.
Report stormwater pollution
Stormwater must stay separate from sewerage to prevent overloading and sewer overflows during heavy rain. Connecting downpipes, pool water, or yard drainage to the sewer network is illegal and can cause serious issues.
If your downpipes or stormwater drains are near sewer pipes or seem connected, check your property drainage plans to confirm. These plans show where your sewer pipes are located.