Green Adelaide regulates water resources in the Adelaide metropolitan area (view map of area).
This includes overseeing the implementation of the new Adelaide Plains Water Allocation Plan. This plan details the rules around licensing, allocation and management of groundwater and wells.
We also manage activities that may impact local watercourses in metropolitan Adelaide through issuing Water Affecting Activity Permits as per the Water-Affecting Activities Control Policy (PDF | 1 MB).
Our responsibility to these 2 tasks forms part of the Landscape Act SA 2019.
Some activities can have adverse impacts on the health and condition of Adelaide’s waterways.
If you are planning to build a structure or carry out an activity that may impact on a surface water resource or a watercourse this is what we call a water affecting activity and you may need to apply for a Water Affecting Activity Permit.
Water affecting activities include:
Before completing a water permit application, read the Water-Affecting Activities Control Policy (PDF | 924 KB) to find out the rules that apply in your area.
We recently developed Current Recommended Practices (CRPs) for some common Water Affecting Activities including Removing Vegetation from Waterways (PDF | 747 KB) and Constructing Ford Crossings over Waterways (PDF | 1 MB).
If the activity you want to undertake is covered by the scope of a CRP, you are not required to apply for a Water Affecting Activity permit. If it is outside of the scope of a CRP, a permit will be required.
Browse our resources below to learn more about looking after waterways, erosion management and desilting dams.
To apply for a permit, follow these 3 steps:
It is recommended that you apply for a permit at least 2 months before you intend to start the activity.
It will take a maximum of 40 business days for your permit application assessment.