What is happening?
We are assessing the condition of natural open drains in drainage easements on private properties across our city.
What is a drainage easement?
A drainage easement is an area within a private property that provides a flow path for runoff or flooding during wet weather. This may include pipes and concrete headwalls, a natural gully or constructed swale that allows stormwater to drain between properties.
The right to access the easement and use the land for drainage purposes is granted to Council by the property owner (usually at the time of subdivision). The requirements and conditions of the easement are detailed in a legal document that forms part of a property title. The owner can enjoy the easement area provided drainage and/or the rights of Council are not impeded.
Responsibility for easement maintenance
The management of drainage easements in private property requires Council to maintain infrastructure, like pipes and headwalls, that have been designed and installed as part of the adjacent road or stormwater network. Property owners are responsible for maintaining the easement and the waterway within. This includes keeping the area free from shrubs and trees and mowing the area if required to help the flow of water.
Why are inspections required?
Easement inspections form part of our review of the current state of natural open drains in drainage easements within private property across the City.
Inspections are important for several reasons. They help us to:
- assess how effectively drainage infrastructure is functioning across the city and identify risks
- better understand the flows of local waterways
- help future management and maintenance
- understand the current condition of the drainage easement
- identify obstructions or other issues that may impact the easement now or in the future
- accurately record the total number of drainage easements within the city
- hear your feedback about easement maintenance.
When is it happening?
The easement inspection program commenced in November 2022 and will be ongoing until mid-2024 to ensure all easements are assessed.
Where the inspection identifies problems that have the potential to impact public infrastructure or private structures, maintenance will be undertaken based on the urgency/priority of the problem. This may include works to restore the drainage function or resolve erosion and sediment accumulation.
Maintenance works will not extend to amenity issues like:
- the visual appearance
- vegetation growth
- odours
- pests, or
- ponding of water following wet weather events.
What can I expect?
We will contact you to arrange a date and time to inspect the easement on your property. Each inspection will take about 20 minutes.
To book an easement inspection
You can call our Road Construction and Maintenance team on 07 3412 3412 or email us at council@logan.qld.gov.au.
To find out more about stormwater drainage easements, see Stormwater drainage easements.