Water Wise Design Hydraulic & Fire Service Consulting
Chris handles the full council submission process — multiple clients say they had nothing left to do after handing over the job.
That said, 14 reviews is a small base to draw firm conclusions from, and the rating trajectory is uneven: the earlier cluster of reviews skews higher than the more recent ones, which include a 1-star complaint about poor design placement decisions and unresponsiveness to amendment requests. That single negative review is an isolated data point rather than a verified pattern, but given the small overall sample it carries more weight than it would in a pool of 100+ reviews. If your project involves a wastewater or on-site sewage design that could require amendments down the track, it's worth asking Chris upfront how revision requests are handled and what turnaround you can expect.
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (14 total)
“he puts the plans into council too”
“expedited plans through council lightning speed”
“I have utilised Water Wise Design services many times over many years”
What they help with
Based on what their customers hired them for
How they stack up
Context from 296 waterproofings in Hervey Bay
Credentials & background
Sourced from 5 public records so you don't have to look them up yourself
About Water Wise Design Hydraulic & Fire Service Consulting
Chris, who runs Water Wise Design, is a hydraulic and fire service engineer rather than a hands-on tradesperson — meaning he produces the technical designs and council submissions that builders, owner-builders, and construction companies need to get projects approved, not the physical installation work itself. That distinction matters: reviews repeatedly highlight his role in handling wastewater system design, plumbing plans, soil testing for subdivisions, and on-site sewage treatment reports — then lodging those documents directly with council so clients don't have to. He appears to work across South East Queensland, with explicit mentions of Hervey Bay, Gympie Council, and broader residential and commercial projects including medical fit-outs and dental surgeries, which suggests familiarity with technically demanding regulatory environments. The speed of council approval comes up repeatedly — one client noted approval within three days of submission, another described Chris navigating Gympie Council's specific requirements to fast-track sign-off. For commercial construction companies needing a consultant who already knows local council processes, that kind of council-side relationship can save weeks on a project timeline. Chris handles the full consulting pipeline from soil testing through to approved plans, which suits first-time owner-builders or developers who don't want to manage multiple specialists.
Best for: owner-builders and developers needing end-to-end hydraulic design with council lodgement handled, commercial construction companies requiring compliant hydraulic plans for specialist fit-outs, and residential new builds requiring wastewater or on-site sewage treatment system approval in the Fraser Coast or Gympie regions.
Location
Often needed together
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Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about Water Wise Design Hydraulic & Fire Service Consulting
What does Water Wise Design actually do — is Chris a plumber or an engineer?+
Chris operates as a hydraulic design consultant and engineer, not a licensed plumber or installer. His role is to produce the technical designs, reports, and plans that councils require before construction can begin — such as wastewater system layouts, plumbing plans, and on-site sewage treatment reports. He then lodges those documents with council directly. The physical installation work would be carried out by a separate licensed tradesperson using Chris's approved plans.
What areas does Water Wise Design service?+
Reviews mention projects in Hervey Bay, Gympie, and the broader South East Queensland region. Chris is noted in reviews as being familiar with Gympie Council's specific requirements, which helped speed up approvals on at least one project. If your property is outside the Fraser Coast or Gympie regions, it's worth confirming coverage directly with Chris before engaging him.
How quickly does Chris get plans approved by council?+
Speed of council approval is one of the most consistent themes across the reviews. One customer reported council approval within three days of plan submission. Others describe plans moving through council 'lightning speed' and Chris being described as proactive in working with council to get results quickly. His familiarity with local council processes — particularly in the Gympie and Fraser Coast areas — appears to be a practical advantage on time-sensitive projects.
Is Water Wise Design suited to commercial projects, or mainly residential?+
Both, based on the review record. One long-term client is a construction company specialising in medical fit-outs and dental surgeries, and they describe using Chris as their go-to consultant across multiple projects requiring high regulatory compliance. Residential projects — including new builds, subdivisions, and on-site sewage systems — also feature prominently in reviews. The business appears well-suited to anyone who needs hydraulic design that will pass council scrutiny first time.
What should I clarify before hiring Chris for a design that might need revisions?+
It's worth asking upfront how Chris handles amendments if the design requires changes after submission — for example, if site conditions or council feedback require a redesign. The review record is predominantly positive, but one customer reported difficulty getting amendments actioned after the initial design. With only 14 reviews total this is a single data point, not a proven pattern, but it's a practical question to raise before you start, particularly for complex or remote sites where access and placement decisions have long-term consequences.