Domestic Wastewater Management Plan 2022 - 2027

Purpose

The purpose of this Domestic Wastewater Management Plan is to guide and support the management of domestic onsite wastewater (septic systems) across the Glenelg Shire Local Government Area, in a manner that provides a healthy environment, a prosperous economy and thriving community, now and into the future.

The objectives of the Domestic Wastewater Management Plan are to:

• Identify current and emerging domestic wastewater management issues facing the municipality
• Prioritise the issues and provide management actions to address the issues
• Articulate the public health, wellbeing, environmental and economic benefits of sustainable management of domestic wastewater
• Provide policies to address domestic wastewater management matters and for the management of onsite wastewater management systems within the municipality
• Outline the consultation process undertaken during plan development, and its outcomes.

Background

The Environment Protection Act 2018 (the Amendment Act) is the principal legislation which requires Glenelg Shire Council to be the relevant authority for the management of onsite wastewater management systems on properties that generate 5000 litres of wastewater or less per day. Section 32 of the State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria) requires Councils with onsite domestic wastewater management systems to develop and implement a domestic wastewater management Plan. Council has responsibilities under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 to seek to protect, improve and promote public health within the local government area. Council adopted its current Domestic Wastewater Management Plan on 25 June 2009.

The Domestic Wastewater Management Plan requires updating to reflect legislative and policy changes, updated information, new innovation and build on the work previously undertaken. The new Domestic Wastewater Management Plan will identify and prioritise cumulative risks and set out strategies providing solutions to prevent discharge of wastewater beyond property boundaries in the interest of protecting public health and the natural environment.

The Domestic Wastewater Management Plan is a key piece of strategic work to refine policy and schedule in the Glenelg Shire Planning Scheme. The Plan will provide direction to the authorities, community, and investors to address wastewater issues in relation to existing small allotments and subdivision of land in un-sewered areas. The Plan will provide criteria to determine when land capability assessments are required.

Benefits of the project (Community benefits)

The goal of wastewater management is to protect the natural environment, community health, and social wellbeing against the risks posed by wastewater, while enabling appropriate development.

Wastewater can contain nutrients, pathogens, and other pollutants. If onsite wastewater systems have deteriorated, are poorly maintained, and/or of insufficient size, this can lead to wastewater discharging offsite and polluting nearby land and waterways.

A risk management framework has been applied to the development of this Domestic Wastewater Management Plan.