Kew facts that shape the job
Your drain runs under the footpath
The City of Boroondara says owners maintain their drains and underground pipes, including those beneath footpaths, all the way to the legal point of discharge.
Groundwater is the owner's
Council also makes owners responsible for managing groundwater on their property.
Canopy trees
Under Boroondara's Tree Protection Local Law, a canopy tree has a trunk at least 110 cm around at 1.4 m above ground, or 150 cm at ground level. Digging or trenching less than 2 metres from its trunk needs a permit.
Houses, units and apartments
At the 2021 Census, the suburb of Kew was 50.5% separate houses, 23.6% townhouses or semis and 25.6% flats. 39.5% of homes were owned outright and 28.6% rented.
Digging near trees in Kew
Boroondara lists digging and trenching among works near a tree. For a canopy tree, that means a permit for anything within 2 metres of the trunk; for a significant tree, anything inside its Tree Protection Zone. Since 15 September 2025, state-wide Clause 52.37 controls can apply as well.
So when a root-blocked drain needs replacing, measure from the trunk first. If the line is close, a drain specialist may suggest pipe relining, and the permit question still goes to Council. Its online tool, myLot, is a guide only, not a final decision.
Legal point of discharge
You need a legal point of discharge from Boroondara for building work that includes a stormwater system, or for landscaping that increases the volume or flow of runoff. Only the owner or the owner's agent, such as your builder or plumber, can apply.
The report won't give exact measurements or offsets for drains and pits, so a plumber may still need to locate them on site. Work on a local road needs a Road Opening Permit.
Water supply and sewer
Yarra Valley Water serves Kew, and its Kew sampling area averaged 17 mg/L of hardness in 2025-26. All plumbing from the meter to the house is the owner's. On the sewer, where its responsibility ends varies by property, so check with Yarra Valley Water before work near the boundary.
See also hot water in Melbourne, leak detection and an emergency plumber.
What we would do
For a recurring blockage, book a CCTV inspection that follows the line all the way to the council drain, including the part under the footpath, because that section is yours too. Note any canopy tree within 2 metres of the route. With the footage and the measurement, you can ask Boroondara about a permit and get comparable quotes for repair or relining.