Camden: facts for a plumbing job
Frost at Camden Airport
The Bureau of Meteorology's Camden Airport station (1971 to 2026) averages 39.9 days a year at 2°C or below and 16.2 at 0°C or below. Its lowest reading is -6.0°C.
Houses and mortgages
Across the Camden council area in 2021, 92.5% of occupied homes were separate houses and 52.7% were mortgaged. In the suburb itself, 73.8% were houses and 32.7% were rented.
The Nepean runs through
The Nepean River enters the council area at its southern boundary and leaves at the north-west. Council adopted its Nepean River flood risk management study and plan in February 2023.
Septic work needs approval
Camden Council requires approval under section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 before an on-site sewage system is installed, altered or operated.
Septic and on-site systems
In the Camden council area, any new on-site sewage system, and any change to an existing one, needs Council's approval before work starts. That covers connecting extra drainage to the system and replacing or changing the disposal area.
Every system has to be inspected and registered with Council. Council also warns that whoever organises unapproved work, and the plumber who does it, can be held liable. Ask to see Council's written consent before the job begins. Our septic systems page explains the work itself.
Flood information as the area grows
Council's Nepean River flood study dates from 2015, and Council says it needs updating because of the development since, including land release areas such as Spring Farm, Elderslie and Cobbitty. For a particular property, a Flood Certificate gives flood levels, flood planning levels and velocities, where the data exists.
Extending, or building over a sewer? Sydney Water asks owners to submit plans through Sydney Water Tap in so it can check the effect on its pipes, and to ask council whether development consent is needed.
On the sewer
Connected homes follow Sydney Water's rule: the private wastewater pipe, point of connection included, is the owner's, and the junction on the main is Sydney Water's. A split pipe on a frosty morning is a job for a burst pipe specialist; for anything else, try blocked drains in Sydney or hot water in Sydney.
What we'd do in Camden
On septic, don't let anyone start until Council's approval is in hand: Camden Council says the owner and the plumber can both be held liable for unapproved work. If you're building or extending, ask Sydney Water and Council early, before the plans are final. And if an outdoor pipe splits in a frost, turn the water off at the meter and get a specialist. We can match you with a licence-checked plumber for any of these.