Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-03-19 Daily Xml

Contents

Building Industry

In reply to the Hon. F. PANGALLO (13 February 2019).

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): I have been advised of the following:

Requirements for rainwater tanks exist in development plans and the National Construction Code and serve a number of purposes, including water saving and reuse objectives, stormwater management and water supply for bushfire fighting. In some circumstances, such as outback areas, rainwater tanks are required for survival purposes where no reticulated supply exists.

The National Construction Code requires rainwater tanks with a capacity of 1,000 litres to be plumbed to certain fixtures in dwellings for water saving purposes.

A number of development plans historically require plumbed rainwater tanks for water saving and stormwater purposes that exceed the minimum requirements of the National Construction Code. This approach causes confusion, unnecessary duplication and inconsistencies.

These issues are being actively addressed through the development and implementation of the Planning and Design Code which is being rolled out in three phases. Phase One – the Outback Code, is currently out for consultation and suggests that rainwater tanks be provided on the basis that there is no reticulated water supply.

Phases 2 (Regional SA) and 3 (Greater Adelaide) of the Planning and Design Code will be released for consultation progressively during 2019 and will address the appropriateness (or otherwise) of rainwater tanks in areas where a reticulated supply is provided.

When the Planning and Design Code has addressed the circumstances in which rainwater tanks should or should not be used, the rainwater tank requirements of the National Construction Code will be amended accordingly.