On-site Sewage Management Systems

If your home is not connected to Council’s sewerage system, you may be using an Onsite Sewage Management System (OSMS). Common examples include:

  • septic tanks
  • composting toilets or
  • aerated wastewater treatment systems.

Any changes to an existing OSMS must be approved by Council. Unapproved alterations can reduce system performance and shorten its lifespan.

A poorly maintained system can impact the health of your household and harm the surrounding environment.

Use the information below to learn how to manage and maintain your OSMS, understand your approval requirements, and know your responsibilities as a system owner.

You need to get approval from Council if you install a new on-site sewage management system or alter an existing system on your property.

The type of OSMS suitable for a property should be determined by an experienced wastewater consultant and/or licensed plumber. The system design needs to reflect the specific characteristics of the site, as well as the type and volume of wastewater it will manage.

Submit an application to Install or Alter an Onsite Sewage Management System (S68 Local Government Act).

The NSW Government requires all on-site sewage management systems to have an Approval to Operate (ATO). This means Council must issue an ATO for every system in the shire. There are currently around 4,000 systems on Council’s register.

If you have an on-site sewage management system and have not yet applied for an ATO, you must complete the Approval to Operate – Sewage Management System application form below and submit it to Council.

  • New systems or alterations: ATOs for newly installed or altered systems are issued when a satisfactory final inspection has been completed.
  • New owners: If you’ve recently purchased a property with an on-site sewage management system, you have three months to apply for an Approval to Operate.

Approval to operate an onsite sewage management system application form(PDF, 152KB)

If you intend to conduct site and soil assessments, design onsite sewage management systems (OSMS) and/or service wastewater treatment systems (AWTS) within the Byron Shire, you are required to be a suitably qualified person.

Submit the request form, along with supporting documentation outlined below to be included on the Suitable Qualified Person register.

Request to be listed as a Suitably Qualified Person

Explanatory notes

Byron Shire Council is creating a list of suitably qualified people who can demonstrate their ability to conduct site and soil assessments, design or service OSMS that include aerated wastewater treatment systems (AWTS). The list will be made available to the public as part of standard communications involving the installation, alteration, or servicing of OSSM systems. Businesses make a voluntary decision to be included on the list.

Definition - Suitably Qualified Person:

A person possessing adequate qualifications, such as suitable training and sufficient knowledge, experience and skill, for the performance of the specific work.

OSMS Site and Soil Assessor and Designer Criteria:

1. Completion of appropriate course conducted by a registered training organisation;

  • Centre for Environmental Training - Course in On-Site Wastewater Management; or
  • Skills Tech Australia (QLD TAFE) – Course in Domestic Wastewater and Environmental Plumbing (Licence to Design on site disposal areas); or
  • Other equivalent courses and qualifications that will be assessed on a case-by-case basis; and

2. Public Liability ($10 million) and Professional Indemnity ($1 million) insurance is to be held, and the insurance certificate of currency must cover designing on-site sewage management systems.

AWTS Service Agent Criteria:

1. Completion of an appropriate AWTS servicing training course conducted by a registered training organisation;

  • Centre for Environmental Training – Course in Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems Servicing and Maintenance; or
  • Skills Tech Australia (QLD TAFE) - Course in Domestic Wastewater and Environmental Plumbing (Licence to Service and Maintain); or
  • Other equivalent courses and qualifications that will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

2. Minimum six months experience servicing AWTS systems – provide proof of servicing experience and detail the type of systems serviced (provide letter from trainer/mentor and state their qualifications and experience);

3. Confirmation in writing from each AWTS manufacturer (for the types of systems that you intend to service) that you have attended in-house training, where offered, which has provided you with sufficient knowledge into the operational and servicing requirements for each particular system; and

4. Public liability insurance ($10 million).

Note: All electrical work is to be performed by a qualified, experienced licenced electrical contractor and in accordance with appropriate electrical regulations and Australian Standards.

 

Property owners are responsible for the ongoing operation and maintenance of their OSMS, including any necessary repairs.

If you have an onsite system, you must:

  • ensure you have approval to use the system
  • know what type of system you have
  • understand its servicing and maintenance requirements
  • know where your treatment system and land application area are located
  • regularly monitor its performance and address issues early — leaks, soggy ground, or unpleasant odours are common signs of a problem.

Read the Homeowners guide to onsite sewage management(PDF, 765KB) for more information on maintaining your system.

These example standard designs are provided as a guide to what components should be included when designing and installing one of the following designs. The designs are only “examples” of how these systems can be installed. Designers and installers should consult AS 1547 for additional details.