On-site sewage

If you live in or rent a house that has an on-site sewage management system not connected to the Council's sewer, you have a responsibility to ensure it is working properly.

Some of the most popular types of on-site sewage management systems provide general information to help you maintain your system effectively.

Maintenance needs to be performed properly and regularly. Poorly maintained systems can significantly affect you and your family's health as well as the local environment.

Design examples

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. 

 

Approvals

Approval to install or alter an existing system

If you wish to install a new on-site sewage management system or alter an existing system on your property you are required to get approval from the Council. You must submit an application to install or alter an on-site sewage management system together with all the required information along with the application fee. 

Approval to install or amend an onsite sewage management system application form(PDF, 179KB)

 

Approval to Operate

The NSW Government requires an 'Approval to Operate' an on-site sewage management system to be obtained for all sewage management systems.

This means that Council must issue an Approval to Operate for every existing on-site sewage management system in the shire.

Currently there are around 4000 on-site sewage management systems on Council's register however there are a large number of properties that have not submitted an application for approval to operate an on-site sewage management system, irrespective of when the system was installed.

If you have an on-site sewage management system and have not submitted an application for approval to operate you are required to fill out the Approval to Operate System Sewage Management application form below and send it to Council.

New Owners - If you have recently bought a property that uses an on-site sewage management system, the Local Government (Gen) Regulation 2005 provides a period of three (3) months in which to make an Application for an Approval to Operate.

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