SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)·Page 63·6.123
Protection of flood defence and drainage infrastructure
Development that would impede operational effectiveness or maintenance access for flood defence and drainage infrastructure should not be permitted, requiring retention of adequate working strips alongside watercourses and presumption against development therein or over culverted watercourses.
Flood defence and drainage infrastructure are critical in providing a level of flood protection to people and property and adequate land drainage. Accordingly, development proposals that would impede operational effectiveness or hinder access for maintenance purposes should not be permitted. Generally, this will require the retention of an adequate working strip alongside watercourses and a general presumption against development therein. The erection of buildings or other structures over the line of a culverted watercourse should also be resisted.
Source — /Users/richardhill/Documents/planning-arch-project/data/documents/regional/SPPS - Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025).pdf