Changes to Unconnected Land Availability Charges Policy

At its August 2026 meeting, Council approved the Unconnected Land Availability Charges Policy and introduced new provisions for both charge reductions and exemptions in specific circumstances.  

Alternative Water Supply – Exemption of Charges 

Where the property owner has established an alternative water supply system and can prove that they were not able to connect to Council’s reticulated service network at the time of establishing the alternative water supply system due to either:  

• a formal Council decision to not supply water to that parcel of land, or   

• Council’s water infrastructure was not available at the time of establishing the alternative water supply system. 

This exemption may apply where a property owner installed and relies on their own water supply because connection to Council’s water network was not available at the time of establishing the alternative water supply system. 

Maximum Applicable Charges (Multiple Parcels) 

Where the property owner owns multiple parcels of land, the unconnected land availability charges will be capped to two fees where the following three criteria are satisfied:  

• the relevant parcels of land are contiguous and under identical ownership, and  

• at least one parcel of land within the contiguous parcels of land is already connected to Council’s reticulated service network, and  

• all parcels of land are included in a single valuation from the Valuer General. 

This provision caps charges for eligible adjoining parcels under the same ownership where at least one parcel is already connected to CTW’s water network. Charges apply to your connected property and up to two unconnected parcels. Additional eligible parcels are then not charged. 

The Application Form for Unconnected Land Availability Charges Review is available on Council’s website at www.ctw.nsw.gov.au/forms or in person at 30 Church Street, Blayney. 

Property owners who believe they may be eligible are encouraged to apply. Eligible applications received by 31 December 2026 will have the approved provision applied retrospectively from 1 April 2026. After this date, charges already levied will not be adjusted and the provision will apply only to future charges.