Separation distances
Previously known as a buffer, a separation distance is the distance between a use that produces an emission and another use that is sensitive to the emission.
A separation distance protects infrastructure and related investment and prevents land use conflict.
They provide community and environmental benefits but it requires land use planning to make it happen.
Types of separation distances
- Odour – provided to our wastewater resource and recovery facilities and wastewater pump stations. Odour can create a nuisance. The separation distance protects from the impacts of odour and helps prevent land use conflict.
- Chlorine – provided to chlorine storage areas at our water and wastewater treatment plants, to reduce health and safety risks of potential chlorine leaks.
- Noise – provided to our noise generating infrastructure.
- Cathodic – prevents premature corrosion of metal, such as steel reinforcement in buildings.
- Wellhead protection – prevents contamination of groundwater in the vicinity of our groundwater extraction bores.
Our matrix of land use compatibility for buffer zones, lists land use categories and their compatibility with various types of assets.
More information
- Environmental Protection Authority Guidance Statement No 3 – Separation distances between industrial and sensitive land uses
- State Planning Policy 4.1 - Industrial interface
- Strategic resource precincts
- Info sheet on modelling odour buffers
For help and advice on separation distances around our infrastructure, please contact us at landplanning@watercorporation.com.au.