Stormwater Requests

IN AN EMERGENCY

For severe storms and floods threatening life or property, the lead response agency is the Tasmania State Emergency Service (SES). Call them on 132 500.
To report an urgent public hazard, such as a missing pit lid creating a dangerous hole, or a chemical/pollutant spill into a drain, call Council on $(03) 64240511$ .

Council manages the public stormwater network, which includes street gutters, pipes, and drainage pits (grates) designed to collect and carry away rainwater from our roads and public spaces. This service is for reporting issues with this public system.

Council vs. Private Property Responsibility

It is important to understand which assets are maintained by Council and which are the responsibility of the property owner.

Council’s Network: We are responsible for the stormwater mains, the kerb and gutter, and the drainage pits located on the street or within a Council drainage easement.
Private Drainage: Property owners are responsible for all drainage within their property boundary. This includes roof gutters, downpipes, and the underground pipes that connect the property to Council’s system. If you have a blocked drain on your property, you will need to contact a licensed plumber.

Lodge a Stormwater Request

For non-urgent issues with the public stormwater network, please complete the report below. Your report helps our infrastructure crews identify and resolve potential flooding and safety issues.

Common issues to report to Council include:

A blocked drain or pit in the street causing water to pool on the road.
Localised flooding on a road or footpath that appears to be coming from a Council drain.
A damaged, broken, or dislodged stormwater pit lid.
Suspected illegal discharge of pollutants (e.g., paint, oil, concrete) into a stormwater drain.

When completing your report, please provide the exact location of the issue (e.g., “the drain outside 123 Steele Street”). Uploading a photo can greatly assist our infrastructure team in assessing the problem.

Request	Content
Stormwater Flooding	FLOODING EMERGENCY If floodwater is threatening lives or is about to enter your home or building, call the Tasmania State Emergency Service (SES) immediately on 132 500. Never drive, walk, or play in floodwater. Before You Report Please be aware that Council is responsible for flooding that originates from the public drainage network (e.g., overflowing street drains). If flooding is caused by overflowing gutters or blocked pipes on your own property, you will need to contact an emergency plumber for assistance. Submitting Your Flooding Report When you are in a safe location, please provide as much detail as possible in the form below. This information is critical for helping our crews understand the severity of the situation and prioritise their response. Key details to include: The exact address or intersection where the flooding is occurring. Where the water appears to be coming from (e.g., an overflowing street drain, the kerb). The extent and depth of the water (e.g., "covering the whole road, ankle-deep on the footpath"). Whether the water is stable, rising, or falling. Photos or a short video are extremely valuable as they are the best way to show our crews the extent of the flooding. Click here to report Stormwater Flooding
Stormwater Blocked or Leaking	Important Information For severe flooding that threatens life or property, the lead response agency is the Tasmania State Emergency Service (SES). Call them on 132 500. This form is for the public stormwater network (on streets, in reserves, etc.). If the blockage or leak is located within your property boundary (e.g., your roof gutters or private pipes), you will need to contact a licensed plumber. Lodge Your Report To help our crews investigate and resolve the issue quickly, please provide as much detail as you can in the form below. Tips for a Good Report Provide the exact location. This is the most important detail. Please use the nearest street address, intersection, or a clear landmark. Describe what you can see. Is the drain grate on the street completely covered with leaves, silt, or rubbish? Is water bubbling up from a pipe or overflowing from a pit? Tell us about the impact. Is the water pooling on the road, flowing across the footpath, entering a private property, or causing a traffic hazard? Upload a photo. A picture showing the blockage and any resulting flooding is extremely helpful and allows us to assess the situation much faster. Click here to report a Leaking or Blocked Stormwater Drain or Pipe Requests
Opened or Damaged Grate/Maintenance Hole/Pit Lid	Telstra Covers: If the pit is a Telstra asset, please report issue to Telstra. Click here to report damaged Telstra equipment Example TasWater Pit/Plug: If the pit/plug is a Taswater asset please phone: 13 6992 Council Stormwater: If your request relates councils assets you can use our request form. Click here to submit a Open or Broken Stormwater Pit
Open Culvert Drain	This service is for reporting issues with open drains, ditches, or culverts located on public land or within a Council drainage easement. These drains are a critical part of the stormwater system, especially in semi-rural and new residential areas. Important Information For severe flooding that is threatening life or property, call the Tasmania State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500. To report an urgent public safety hazard, such as a collapsed drain creating a sinkhole or a completely blocked culvert causing major road flooding, call Council on (03) 6424 0511. Council and Property Owner Responsibilities Council is responsible for maintaining open drains located on public land, such as road verges and parks, and within designated drainage easements. Property owners are responsible for maintaining the section of any open drain that runs through their private property. This includes keeping the drain clear of lawn clippings, garden waste, and other obstructions to ensure water can flow freely. Submitting Your Report Please use the form below to report a non-urgent maintenance issue with a public open drain or culvert. Your report helps us to manage potential flooding, control erosion, and ensure public safety. Common issues to report include: The drain is blocked with rubbish, dumped materials, or excessive silt and debris. The drain is significantly overgrown with grass or weeds, impeding water flow. The banks of the drain are eroding or have collapsed. The pipe (culvert) under a public footpath or driveway crossover is blocked or damaged. When completing your report, please provide the exact location of the issue and upload a photo if possible, as this greatly assists our assessment and response. Click here to submit an Open Culvert Drain request
Stormwater General Enquiry	Have a question or need information about Devonport's public stormwater drainage system? This form is for general enquiries that are not related to a specific blockage, leak, or urgent hazard. Use this form for: Questions about connecting your property's drainage to the Council network. Enquiries about drainage easements on or near your property. General advice regarding stormwater management for renovations or new builds. Raising concerns about broader drainage patterns or capacity in your local area (rather than a single blocked pit). To help us provide you with an accurate and timely response, please be as clear as possible in your enquiry below. If your question relates to a specific property, please include the full street address. You can also attach any relevant documents, such as photos or site plans, to support your enquiry. Your submission will be reviewed by an officer from our Infrastructure team, who will respond to you directly. Click here to report a Storm Water General Enquiry

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