Gold Coast Canal Wall Maintenance: Your Legal Obligations
Local Law 17
If you own a waterfront property on the Gold Coast, you are responsible for maintaining any revetment wall, pontoon, jetty or training wall associated with your property.
This requirement comes from Gold Coast City Council Local Law No. 17 (Maintenance of Works in Waterway Areas) 2013, which has applied since 5 July 2013.
Importantly, this is an ongoing responsibility. You do not need to receive a notice from Council before your maintenance obligations apply.
What are you required to do?
Under Local Law 17, the responsible person must maintain the work in a safe condition, in good working order and in a condition that allows it to perform its intended function.
Maintenance includes repair, replacement, preventative work and regular inspection. Where reasonably prudent, this can also include obtaining a qualified expert's report.
If Council determines that work is required, it can issue a compliance notice requiring the work to be completed within a specified timeframe.
Failure to comply with a compliance notice can attract a maximum penalty of $88,000.
Selling a Waterfront Property
Local Law 17 also creates disclosure requirements when selling a property with a prescribed waterfront work.
The contract must disclose that the property is subject to Local Law 17, identify the prescribed work, state the owner's maintenance obligation and confirm whether there is any outstanding Council notice relating to that work.
Failure to meet the disclosure requirements can attract a maximum penalty of $5,500.
The disclosure tells a buyer that the obligation exists. It does not establish the condition of the wall.
Obtaining a current wall inspection before selling gives you a documented record of its condition and any work that may be required.
Buying a Waterfront Property
When you purchase a waterfront property, responsibility for maintaining the prescribed work becomes yours.
A standard building inspection does not generally provide a detailed assessment of the canal wall. A dedicated wall inspection gives you the opportunity to understand its condition and identify potential repair costs before you commit to the purchase.
A Canal Wall Doctor buyer's report provides an independent assessment of the wall and a written report identifying any recommended repairs and associated costs.
Council Can Require an Expert Report
Council can require the owner of a prescribed work to provide a report from a qualified expert on its state of maintenance and repair.
For individual owners, Council can exercise this power once every five years.
If you fail to comply, Council can arrange the report itself at your cost. Non-compliance can attract a maximum penalty of $5,500.
Keeping a current inspection report provides a useful record of your wall's condition and maintenance history.
Protecting Your Waterfront Property
Local Law 17 makes canal wall maintenance an owner's responsibility. Regular inspection and timely maintenance can help identify problems before they become more significant.
If your wall has never been inspected, or it has been more than two or three years since your last inspection, contact Canal Wall Doctor to arrange an assessment.
Protecting the wall that protects your home.
Book Your Buyer’s Wall Report
Buying a waterfront property? Get an independent assessment of the canal wall before you commit to the purchase.
We inspect properties across the Gold Coast canal network, including Sovereign Islands, Runaway Bay, Mermaid Waters, Paradise Point and Newport Waters, as well as Bribie Island and surrounding South East Queensland waterways.
Our buyer's report is charged at $450 + GST. If you purchase the property and proceed with repair work through Canal Wall Doctor, we'll credit 50% of the report fee towards your first invoice.
Call 0427 949 163, email admin@canalwalldoctor.com.au, or complete the enquiry form below to arrange your inspection.