Question 1

What does a hydraulic engineer do?

Accepted Answer

Hydraulic engineers design and coordinate the essential water infrastructure within a building, including water supply, sanitary drainage, stormwater, gas and rainwater systems. At Goldfish & Bay, we deliver practical, coordinated and compliant hydraulic engineering solutions that support projects from concept design through to construction and completion.

Question 2

When do I need a hydraulic engineer?

Accepted Answer

A hydraulic engineer should be engaged as early as possible in the planning and design process. Early involvement helps identify servicing requirements, coordinate with other engineering disciplines and support Development Applications (DA), Construction Certificates (CC) and authority approvals, reducing the risk of costly design changes later in the project.

Question 3

What types of projects do you provide hydraulic engineering for?

Accepted Answer

Our team provides hydraulic engineering services across residential, commercial, mixed use, healthcare, education, industrial, retail, hospitality, government and community developments. Whether it's a new development, refurbishment or existing building upgrade, we tailor our solutions to suit the project's specific requirements.

Question 4

What hydraulic systems do you design?

Accepted Answer

We design a wide range of hydraulic systems, including water supply, sanitary drainage, stormwater drainage, rainwater harvesting, natural gas, trade waste, pumped drainage, hot water services and water storage systems. Every design is developed to achieve compliance, efficient coordination and long term performance.

Question 5

Do you assist with Sydney Water approvals?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We assist clients with Sydney Water servicing requirements, authority coordination and Section 73 Applications where required, helping projects progress through the approval process efficiently.

Question 6

What is a Section 73 Application?

Accepted Answer

A Section 73 Application is part of the Sydney Water approval process for many developments. It confirms that appropriate water and wastewater servicing arrangements have been made before land can be subdivided or certain developments can proceed. We prepare the required hydraulic documentation and coordinate with Sydney Water throughout the application process.

Question 7

Do you prepare Development Application and Construction Certificate documentation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We prepare hydraulic engineering documentation to support Development Applications (DA), Construction Certificates (CC), Complying Development Certificates (CDC) and detailed construction documentation. Our deliverables are developed to support planning approvals, regulatory compliance and successful project delivery.

Question 8

Do you work with architects and builders?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We work closely with architects, developers, builders, project managers and other consultants throughout every stage of the project. Early collaboration helps ensure hydraulic services are fully coordinated with the broader building design and construction program.

Question 9

Can you provide hydraulic engineering for existing buildings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide hydraulic engineering services for existing buildings, including refurbishments, upgrades, change of use developments, service relocations and infrastructure improvements. Our team assesses existing conditions and develops practical solutions that meet current project and compliance requirements.

Question 10

Why is hydraulic engineering important?

Accepted Answer

Hydraulic engineering plays a critical role in the safety, functionality and long term performance of every building. Well designed hydraulic systems support reliable water supply, effective drainage, stormwater management, sustainability objectives and compliance with relevant Australian Standards and authority requirements.

Question 11

What information do you need to prepare a hydraulic design?

Accepted Answer

The information required depends on the project, but typically includes architectural drawings, site survey information, development requirements and authority conditions. Where available, civil drawings, geotechnical reports and existing services information also assist in developing an efficient and coordinated hydraulic design.

Question 12

Why choose Goldfish & Bay for hydraulic engineering?

Accepted Answer

Goldfish & Bay delivers multidisciplinary building services engineering across a wide range of sectors. Our hydraulic engineers collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, fire, civil, vertical transportation and digital engineering teams to develop coordinated, practical and buildable solutions that support every stage of project delivery.

Question 13

What is On Site Detention (OSD)?

Accepted Answer

On Site Detention (OSD) is a stormwater management system designed to temporarily store rainwater and release it at a controlled rate into the public drainage network. Many councils require OSD systems to reduce the impact of new developments on surrounding infrastructure and minimise the risk of downstream flooding. Our hydraulic engineers design OSD systems that meet council requirements while integrating with the overall stormwater strategy.

Question 14

What is Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)?

Accepted Answer

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) is an approach to managing stormwater that aims to improve water quality, reduce runoff and support sustainable urban development. Depending on the project, WSUD measures may include rainwater harvesting, biofiltration systems, permeable surfaces and other stormwater treatment solutions. We incorporate WSUD principles where required to assist with planning approvals and environmental outcomes.

Question 15

What is trade waste plumbing?

Accepted Answer

Trade waste plumbing refers to drainage systems that carry wastewater generated by commercial or industrial activities before it enters the public sewer network. Depending on the type of business, treatment devices such as grease arrestors or trade waste pits may be required to comply with Sydney Water and local authority requirements. Our team designs compliant trade waste systems for a wide range of developments.

Question 16

Do I need hydraulic engineering for a Development Application (DA)?

Accepted Answer

Not every Development Application requires detailed hydraulic engineering, but many developments benefit from early hydraulic input. Engaging a hydraulic engineer during the planning stage can identify servicing constraints, support authority requirements and reduce the risk of design changes later in the project. Where required, we prepare hydraulic documentation to support the Development Application process.

Question 17

What is the difference between hydraulic engineering and plumbing?

Accepted Answer

Hydraulic engineering focuses on the design, coordination and documentation of building water, sewer, stormwater and gas systems. Plumbing is the physical installation of those systems during construction. Hydraulic engineers develop the engineering design, while licensed plumbers construct the systems in accordance with the approved documentation.

Question 18

What hydraulic reports are required for a development?

Accepted Answer

The reports and documentation required depend on the type and scale of the project. These may include hydraulic design reports, stormwater management strategies, On Site Detention (OSD) reports, rainwater harvesting assessments, trade waste documentation, sewer servicing strategies and authority submission documents. Our team can advise on the specific hydraulic documentation required for your development.

Question 19

Can hydraulic engineers certify a design?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Where applicable, qualified hydraulic engineers can provide design certification in accordance with project requirements and relevant legislation. Certification confirms that the hydraulic design has been prepared to meet the applicable standards, codes and regulatory requirements.

Question 20

How much does hydraulic engineering cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of hydraulic engineering depends on factors such as the size and complexity of the project, the project stage and the scope of services required. Smaller developments may require only basic design documentation, while larger or more complex projects often involve multidisciplinary coordination, authority approvals and construction support. We provide tailored fee proposals based on each project's specific requirements.

Question 21

What is included in hydraulic engineering documentation?

Accepted Answer

Hydraulic engineering documentation typically includes design calculations, system layouts, specifications, schedules, riser diagrams, detailed construction drawings and coordination with other building services. Depending on the project, documentation may also support Development Applications, Construction Certificates, authority submissions and construction delivery.

HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING DESIGN

Residential |

Commercial |

Healthcare |

Education |

Industrial |

Residential |

Hotels |

Government |

Retail |

Mixed Use +

Our Capabilities

Design & Documentation

Coordination & Compliance

Technical Advisory & Project Delivery

Why Choose Goldfish & Bay?

✔ Multidisciplinary Engineering Consultancy

Coordinated hydraulic engineering from concept to completion.

How We Support Your Project

Feasibility & Planning

Concept Design

Development Application (DA)

Design Development

Construction Certificate (CC)

Tender Documentation

Construction Documentation

Construction Phase Services

Design Certification

Project Completion

Frequently Asked Questions