Property development in Western Australia isn’t just about bricks, mortar, and planning approvals. Water plays a starring role in every project. Whether you’re creating a new residential estate, building commercial facilities, or designing green open spaces, securing a water licence purchase and planning for bore installation are crucial steps. And here’s the problem: get it wrong, and you risk significant project delays or compliance headaches.
Let’s walk you through the essentials of water licensing and bore drilling in WA, highlighting the pitfalls, the processes, and the value of working with experts like BD Water, your complete water solutions provider.
Why Water Licensing Matters in WA
WA’s Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) manages water resources to ensure sustainable use. Developers can’t just sink a bore and pump as much as they like; every drop is regulated. That’s where a water licence purchase comes into play.
A licence isn’t ownership of the water itself (nobody owns that), but rather a right to access and use a specific allocation. Without one, bore drilling (other than for small volume domestic bores) can’t legally proceed, and councils won’t sign off on your project.
For developers, water licensing is more than compliance. It’s about aligning your property development timelines with legal frameworks, protecting long-term water security, and making sure your project delivers green, thriving spaces that stand the test of time.
Bore Installation: What Developers Need to Know
Once your licence is in hand, the next step is bore installation. In WA, this means drilling into aquifers that vary in depth and quality depending on location. Sounds simple, right? Not quite.
Factors developers must consider include:
- Hydrogeology: Not every site has the same water quality or quantity. Choosing the wrong location could mean an underperforming bore.
- Compliance: Bore design and construction must meet strict DWER and Australian Drilling Industry Association (ADIA) standards.
- Sustainability: Over-pumping can lead to aquifer depletion, salinity issues, or reduced bore life.
At BD Water, our approach to drilling is informed and sustainable. We combine historical drilling data, geological mapping, and on-site assessments to give your project the best chance of success. No guesswork. No cowboy drilling. Just solid results.
Property Development and the Water Connection
Water is one of those invisible threads running through every stage of property development. It’s not just about irrigation systems or landscaping. Local councils expect open spaces, sports fields, and green verges to be watered sustainably, which means developers must show how they’ll source, manage, and distribute water long-term.
Here’s where projects often stumble:
- Trying to coordinate multiple contractors for licensing, drilling, and irrigation.
- Misinterpreting regulatory language and causing costly delays.
- Forgetting that compliance is ongoing, not a “set and forget” exercise.
BD Water simplifies this complexity by offering integrated water solutions. Licensing, bores, and irrigation are all handled under one roof. Developers have one point of contact, one cohesive plan, and one solid team ensuring the entire water strategy is compliant and efficient.
Water Licence Purchase: The Developer’s Checklist
So, how does a developer navigate a water licence purchase? Here’s a practical roadmap:
- Determine Your Water Needs – Assess project requirements early. Councils and DWER expect realistic estimates of water demand for landscaping, irrigation, or construction use.
- Check Licence Availability – Licences aren’t unlimited. Most areas are over-allocated and the only way to acquire water is to trade it. . BD Water maintains WA’s largest database of water trades, giving you clarity on what’s available and at what cost.
- Engage Early with Experts – Getting BD Water involved before you lodge your application ensures smoother navigation through DWER’s requirements and avoids back-and-forth paperwork.
- Secure the Licence – When trading with another licence holder, we streamline the process, connecting you with sellers, negotiating fair terms, and ensuring compliance with transfer conditions.
- Keep It Compliant – Annual reporting on water usage is mandatory. BD Water’s licensing team handles compliance management so you stay in DWER’s good books.
Need more detail? Head over to our dedicated page on water licensing.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: mistakes in water licensing or bore drilling can derail development timelines and budgets. Imagine having council-ready plans, only to find your bore location is non-compliant. Or worse, your licence is rejected because you underestimated water demand.
The fallout can include:
- Delayed approvals.
- Additional costs for redesign or re-drilling.
- Ongoing compliance penalties.
Developers don’t have time for detours. That’s why a trusted partner who manages water solutions end-to-end is invaluable.
Integrated Water Solutions: Why BD Water?
At BD Water, we’re not just a contractor; we’re your complete water solutions provider.
That means:
- Integrated Services: Licensing, drilling, and irrigation delivered by one team.
- Expert Navigation: We simplify dense legislation and turn it into plain-English action steps.
- Proven Results: From residential estates to commercial projects, we’ve delivered reliable outcomes across WA.
- Futureproofing: Our drilling and licensing practices are designed for sustainability, ensuring your water resources stand firm for years to come.
Our quirky but solid approach means you’ll never feel lost in compliance jargon. We translate the complex into clear solutions, so you can focus on building communities, not chasing paperwork.
Secure Your Project’s Water Future
For developers in WA, mastering water licensing and bore drilling is a non-negotiable requirement. It’s not just about ticking regulatory boxes; it’s about securing the future of your project, your community, and WA’s most precious resource.
So, if you’re planning your subsequent property development and want the confidence that comes with expert guidance, speak to BD Water. From water licence purchase to bore installation and beyond, we’ll deliver integrated water solutions that save time, reduce stress, and keep your project compliant.
Ready to simplify your next project? Contact BD Water today and discover how we make water management seamless.
