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Council operates an inspection program to ensure systematic and ongoing management of sewage management systems. Inspections are conducted on risk-based principles.

It must be acknowledged that even a system that is achieving optimal performance may pose a potential risk to public health and the environment if it is located in a range of extremely sensitive environments. For this reason, a distinction is made between high-risk areas and high-risk systems. Although high-risk areas for onsite sewage disposal are common in Northern Beaches, high-risk systems are not acceptable and may be required to be upgraded.

Risk rating of areas and systems are determined via desktop investigations and system inspections.

Notification of Inspection

Property owners are given notification (in writing) of Council’s intention to inspect their OSMS. If the owner wishes to be present at the time of inspection, they will be given an opportunity to contact Council and arrange a mutually suitable time for the inspection to take place during regular business hours.

When a Council Officer attends a property and is unable to gain access to the OSMS or complete an inspection, the property owner will be contacted and a suitable time arranged for the inspection to be completed.

In circumstances whereby Council Officers are investigating legitimate complaints related to failing systems, Officers may contact the owner to arrange a meeting at the property. Officers can exercise powers of entry to enter the premises to investigate pollution complaints under Section 191 of the Local Government Act 1993 or Section 196 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.

Risk categories and frequency of inspections

The performance and potential pollution risk of the individual sewage management system to the environment and public health, along with its location (i.e. proximity to waterways or area of site), will determine the frequency of inspections. The risk categories are as follows:

  1. High Risk systems or systems in high-risk areas will be given a three (3) year “approval to operate” after a successful inspection, and may be subject to inspections during the duration of the approval to monitor the operation of the system, follow up on complaints and respond to unfavourable servicing reports submitted to Council by wastewater servicing technicians;
  2. Low Risk systems will be given an a five (5) year “approval to operate” after a successful inspection, and will be subject to inspections during the duration when complaints are received, or when Council receives unfavourable servicing reports.

Applying the abovementioned risk categories means more frequent inspections and application renewals for OSMS’ that have failed and/or are located in a particularly sensitive area. Council will assign risk categories at designate renewal times, following inspections and can change them with improvements or upgraded systems.

With regard to the expiry of an “approval to operate”, Council will send out a reminder letter for renewal, and an inspection may be conducted and the approved fee is to be paid.

Former Pittwater area

Whilst Council previously accepted plumbers’ reports in lieu of Council inspection in the former Pittwater area (due to insufficient Council resources), this approach was inconsistent with the rest of the Northern Beaches and other NSW Councils. A determination was made to revert to an inspection and approval process more consistent with the Local Government Act, which was in place prior to 2013, in the former Pittwater Council.

Fees and Charges

To contribute to the costs of implementing this program, 2020/2021 fees and charges are as follows:

Commercial systems (not accredited by NSW Health)

  • Approval to operate an on-site sewage management system - $320
  • Approval to install an on-site sewage management system - $442

Domestic systems

  • Approval to operate (accredited) sewage systems - $273
  • Approval to operate sewage systems (pensioner fee) - with evidence - $93
  • Approval to install an on-site sewage system - $370
  • Approval to operate sewer/wastewater treatment system (pump to sewer/truck systems fee) - $191
  • Approval to operate a greywater treatment system - $140

Fees for follow-up inspections may be charged if continued non-compliance occurs. Fees and charges are revised on an annual basis, set-out in Council’s fees and charges document.

Connection to the Sydney Water Sewer

Premises located within 75 metres from the Sydney Water Sewer are required to connect. If the property owner disagrees with a direction by Council to connect to sewer, standard compliance procedures will apply whereby property owners may make representations to Council to be considered by our Officers.

Legislation

Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 (the Act) requires Council to approve installation and operation of on-site sewage management systems. Although approvals under Section 68 of the LGA 1993 are separate to “development application” approvals under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Council may request that section 68 approvals are required as a condition of development consent under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

The relevant legislation, standards and guidelines are listed below:

  • Local Government Act 1993;
  • Local Government (General) Regulation 2005;
  • Environment and Health Protection Guidelines: On-site Sewage Management for Single Households (DLG 1998);
  • Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZ 1547:2012: On-site domestic-wastewater management;
  • Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979; and
  • Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
  • Plumbing and Drainage Code AS3500

Compliance

The following tools may be used by authorised officers where systems are failing or operating without approvals:

  • Advice letters
  • Warning letters;
  • Orders 15, 21, 22, 24, 25 & 30 under the Local Government Act 1993 (usually preceded by Notices of Intention to Issue an Order);
  • Clean Up Notices and Prevention Notices under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997;
  • Penalty Infringement Notices (PIN) under Local Government Act 1993 for operating sewage management system without approval, operating sewage management system otherwise than as approved, and not complying with an order ($330 each PIN);
  • PINs under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 for ‘Pollute waters’ ($4000 - Individual/$8000 - Corporation), ‘Fail to comply with clean-up/prevention notice’ ($4000 - Individual/$8000 - Corporation), and ‘Fail to pay clean-up/prevention notice fee’ ($500 - Individual/1000 - Corporation); and
  • Prosecution under both Section 627 of the Local Government Act 1993 and Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.

Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems (AWTS)

Aerated wastewater treatment systems (such as ‘Envirocycle’ and ‘Clearwater’) use sensitive biological agents, mechanical systems and chemical processes to produce a higher quality effluent than a standard septic tank. Aerated systems must be carefully managed and serviced to keep them working well and safely.

Service agents currently check the internal components, but do not always check the public health and environmental impacts of effluent disposal, changes in site conditions or missing signage. Unlike standard septic systems, aerated systems often discharge effluent above ground where it can easily run-off into adjoining land and waterways. Should the treatment process fail, aerated systems can become serious sewage pollution hazards. Such failures are all too common, and may be caused by quite simple factors like using the wrong type of household cleaning agents, leaving the system unattended for extended periods, excess hydraulic loading or depletion of the treatment chemicals.

Landowners with aerated systems have to register for Council approval in the same way as other septic system owners. Council does not intend to undertake the service of AWTS systems but reviews the agent reports.  It is mandatory for your service agent to provide the report to Council within two weeks of the service being completed.

For further information please contact Council on 1300 434 434 or email council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au with further enquiries.