Who is responsible for watercourses and drainage systems?
The majority of natural watercourses (including a creek, overflow path or drainage pipe) lie within private property and maintenance of these watercourses is the responsibility of the property landowner. In some cases (but not all) the watercourse through private land may lie within drainage easements (which are shown on the title of the land) and any party benefited by the easement may be allowed to legally enter the property to carry out construction and/or maintenance of the facility within the easement. In instances where the watercourse through private property does not have an easement, Council is unable to enter or perform any work to the watercourse. Therefore if you have a creek or watercourse on your property it is your responsibility to maintain it. In instances where the system or watercourse lies within Council land (i.e. roadways and reserves), Wollongong City Council is responsible for the system and will perform routine maintenance to maximise the performance of the sys
