Owners of sewage management systems are required to submit the “Approval to Operate” application form to Council. The information will assist Council in maintaining a register of current owners and types of systems in use.  Under the Local Government Act 1993 owners are legally required to submit an "Aproval to operate".

What is an Approval to Operate?

Residents in sewered areas pay for supervision and environmental management of sewage through charges which include load based EPA licence fees and other environmental management costs. However, residents in unsewered areas are required to obtain an Approval to Operate a sewage management system relating to the operation of septic tanks, aerated wastewater treatment systems, etc.

Operating an on-site system is a prescribed activity under section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 and Part 2 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005. This means that an "Approval to operate" an on-site sewage management system must be obtained from the local Council.

Unlike Council consent for the development of land, Council Approval to Operate an on-site sewage management system is personal and does not run with the land. Approval to operate an on-site sewage management system is primarily an accountability mechanism between the individual landowner and the Council. It is the activity of sewage management, not the facilities, which are the subject of the approval.

Approval to operate an on-site sewage management system requires the landowner to take all reasonable steps to minimise transmission of disease, pollution of water and degradation of land as a result of sewage management activities and requires that the landowner inform the Council about those activities. The Approval to Operate also contributes to Council's management of the cumulative impact of sewage pollution by providing responsibility for supervision and environmental management of on-site sewage management systems to achieve better control of effluent discharge and downstream water quality, supervision of plumbers and service agents, education programs and practical support to assist landowners.

For existing systems the Approval to Operate fee is included in the rates notice. For new systems the “Approval to Operate” fee is required to be paid when submitting the form to Council. The current fee is charged in accordance with Council's Approval to Operate fees listed under Inspection Charges in Council's Management Plan.

Is Council approval required for existing systems?

Landowners with any type of existing on-site sewage management system are required to obtain a council operating approval. Councils regulate the installation and operation of on-site sewage management systems under the Local Government Act 1993. Regulations under the Act specify performance standards and require Councils to supervise the operation of on-site sewage management systems.

Councils have always been responsible for the supervision of on-site sewage management systems. The introduction of health and environment performance standards and the requirement to obtain an operating approval enable Council’s to prevent problems rather than just react to them and mean that Council’s can:

• Keep householders aware of operating requirements
• help keep systems well maintained and operating safely
• monitor and manage the cumulative impact of sewage pollution on the environment
• address specific problems before they get out of hand.

Why is an operating approval required for aerated wastewater treatment systems?

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

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 do occur, 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.

Approval to Operate an on-site sewage Management System form   (Click here to print form)