Domestic Wastewater Management Systems

Before constructing , installing, altering or using any on-site wastewater management system a permit must be obtained from Council. This is a requirement under Environment Protection Act 2017 s.46(1).

Council can only approve systems that meet the following criteria;

• Holds a 'Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) Certificate of Conformity'
• Complies with Planning Permits and Planning controls
• Is designed by a suitably qualified Land Capability Consultant, of whom will provide a Land Capability Assessment Report
• Has written operation and maintenance information
• Complies with Environmental Protection Act 2017, Environmental Protection Regulation 2021, Victorian EPA Code of Practice Onsite Wastewater Management 891.4 and MAV Victorian Land Capability Assessment Framework 2014.

In un-sewered areas, Building Surveyors cannot issue a Building Permit until an 'On-site Wastewater Management Permit' has been issued by Council.

Council’s Environmental Health Officers will inspect the property prior to any works commencing to ensure that the proposed system meets the guidelines and legislation . If your property access is restricted, please contact our Environmental Health Unit to make suitable arrangements for Council Officers to undertake the appropriate inspections.

Once the on-site wastewater management system is installed or altered, you will need to submit 'as installed' system layout plans and a 'Plumbing Compliance Certificate' to Council's Environmental Health Unit. If you have installed a Treatment Plant, Sand filter or other alternate system, you will be required to provide a copy of the maintenance agreement with the final layout plan. The owner will be issued with a Certificate to Use once this information has been received and Council's Environmental Health Officers are satisfied the permit conditions have been met.

It is the responsibility of the property owners or occupiers to ensure their septic system is operated, maintained, serviced, pumped out and monitored.

Note: An application is unable to be received by Council if it does not contain all required information set out in Environment Protection Regulations 2021, r.26.

1. A completed, signed application form
2. Certificate of conformance for the type of system being installed
3. Site plan showing all boundaries, buildings, driveways and wastewater layout
4. Floor Plan of dwelling showing layout of rooms, number of bedrooms and plumbing exit points
5. Copy of Title and Title Plan
6. A copy of the Land Capability Assessment and/or site Soil Report
7. Planning Permit (if required)
8. Payment of relevant application fee

Fees for permit applications are prescribed under the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.

* "minor alteration "means an alteration that consists only of the installation, replacement or relocation of the internal plumbing, fixtures or fittings of an on-site wastewater management system.

What is a Domestic Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP)?
Council is required to develop a Domestic Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP) under State legislation to assist with the management of on-site disposal of effluent where land is not connected to a reticulated sewerage system.  A DWMP establishes preferred approaches to monitoring the condition and management of on-site effluent treatment systems, enforcement, and direction for planning decisions on land use and development.

Adopted 2022-2027 DWMP

The Council adopted its most recent DWMP at the July 2022 Council meeting.  The document comprises two parts:

•  an action plan for Council specifying information requirements for applications for wastewater systems,

•  township specific assessments, and technical data used to develop the Plan.

The DWMP encompasses the whole municipality outside of the sewered areas of Portland, Heywood and Casterton.

The Plan categorises all unsewered regions by risk rating, using the most reliable and up-to-date data available on matters such as soil profile and geography, density of existing onsite systems, land parcel sizing and proximity to water environments.

These ratings provide clarity to property owners about the information they will have to supply with any future planning application, or if a planning permit is not required for a development, for any application to Council’s Environmental Health Unit for a 'Permit to Install' an on-site wastewater treatment system.  

Inspection Program

The Plan outlines an inspection program for Council's Environmental Health team to visit unsewered townships to gather information on types of systems that have been installed (particularly if the system was installed prior to records being kept),  assist owners with information on their systems, maintenance requirements and townships in close proximity to waterways (River, Creek or Lagoon) to ensure systems are working correctly and not polluting the ground water or waterways.

In October 2023 wastewater system inspections were carried out in the township of Nelson.  52 inspections were carried out within the Township planning zone, properties under 4000square metres and within 100m of the Glenelg River

September 2024 wastewater system inspections were carried out in the township of Narrawong.  41 inspections were carried out within the Township planning zone and properties under 4,000 square metres.

You can download and read a copy of the Plan.(PDF, 6MB)

Council’s Environmental Health Unit is carrying out inspections of domestic onsite wastewater (septic) systems as part of the Domestic Wastewater Management Plan (2022-2027).

The aim of conducting these proactive inspections of septic tanks and treatment plant systems is to gain more information about the type, age and health of wastewater systems installed across the council. We know that there are many aged systems, which Council do not have detailed histories for, and we want to ensure the systems are functioning as they should. This program will also support community members education and advice about maintenance of the systems.

It's important for both public health and the environment that domestic onsite wastewater systems are regularly maintained and serviced. Council suggests a pump-out of your wastewater tank if this has not been carried out in the past 5 years.

The first phase of the inspection program was carried out in Nelson in August - September 2023.

The second phase of the inspection program is scheduled to be carried out in Narrawong during August - September 2024.

Environmental Health Officers will knock on the door prior to carrying out the inspection.

Council will be sending out letters to properties which we have identified for the second phase of the inspection program for Narrawong. These properties include developed allotments with a 4,000sqm or smaller allotment and other public facilities within the township.

Please find further information below:

1. Frequently Asked Questions(PDF, 168KB)

If you have any questions or queries, please contact Council’s Environmental Health Unit via email health@glenelg.vic.gov.au or phone 03 5522 2229.