AlburyCity On-Site Sewage Management (OSSM) Plan & FAQs
FAQs
Council's Public Health & Compliance Department does not share any data from our On-Site Sewage Management Register with external organisations.
Council inspections do not override the servicing requirements for your specific on-site sewage management system. Council are conducting a regulatory inspection in order to comply with legislative responsibilities.
The frequency of inspections is dependent upon the outcome of the initial inspection and risk assessment.
- A low risk system could mean only one routine Council inspection every 15 years.
- A medium risk system could mean only one routine Council inspection every 10 years.
- A high risk system could mean only one routine Council inspection every 5 years.
These timeframes are anticipated unless a complaint is received that requires immediate follow-up.
Staff completing inspections are suitably qualified and trained. They are Authorised Officers with relevant legislative delegations.
Officers carry a copy of their delegations and can present them on request.
Yes. Current Public and Products Liability Insurance to the value of $20,000,000.
While preference is to have a property owner present, delegated Council Officers have legislative powers to enter private property to carry out regulatory functions under relevant Acts.
The Australian Standards are AS/NZS 1547-2012 On-site domestic wastewater management.
The performance standards are located within the NSW Local Government Regulation 2021.
Environment & Health Protection Guidelines - On-site Sewage Management
No. Under the Work Health Safety Regulation 2017 this is not classified as high-risk construction work.
Council must carry out inspections to determine risk rating and issue approvals under Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993.
The Inspection fee ($155) and Approval to Operate fee ($410) exist within AlburyCity’s fees and charges framework.
The Approval to Operate fee is being waived for existing systems.
Approval duration (5, 10 & 15 years) is based on risk rating.
The fee aligns with other health inspections and is considered a fair approach.
The frequency depends on inspection outcomes and risk assessment.
- A low-risk system could mean one inspection every 15 years.
- A medium-risk system could mean one inspection every 10 years.
- A high-risk system could mean one inspection every 5 years.
Timeframes may change if complaints require immediate follow-up.
Decommissioning of OSSM systems will be required when:
- The property is connected to reticulated sewer, or
- An old OSSM system is replaced with a new one
In these instances, the owner is required to contact Council regarding decommissioning of the system. The owner must decommission the system in accordance with Council’s requirements to prevent any future safety, environmental or public health risks. Council can provide information on the steps that need to be followed to decommission an OSSM system.
All properties with existing OSSM systems within AlburyCity LGA will receive a risk assessment rating evaluation to identify site features and constraints. Properties will be allocated a risk level of either high, medium, or low depending on the potential public health or environmental risks. The main considerations in determining risk include:
- Location and size of the land
- Drinking water catchment areas
- Groundwater bores on-site or nearby
- Permanent and intermittent surface waterways and stormwater drainage channels
- Effluent land application method
- Commercial and public businesses
- System design, condition and observed performance
- The amount of wastewater generated
- Soil type
- Vegetation coverage
- Slope of the land
- Distance to watercourses, drains and property boundaries
- Surface or subsurface discharge of effluent, and
- Risk of flooding
Based on site features and constraints, a risk rating will be issued for your system and will determine inspection frequency and approval to operate period.
If you are experiencing problems with the operation of an OSSM system on a property within AlburyCity's Local Government area, you are encouraged to approach Council with your concerns or for further information.
Council encourages you to attempt to resolve the issue through appropriate methods (such as consulting your regular servicing agent). If this is unsuccessful, please contact Council.
Council will respond to your complaint, keeping your details confidential. Complaints about contamination of surface water or spray drift should be reported to Council urgently. Complaints about odour problems are also investigated, since this may be an early sign of mismanagement or system failure.
In circumstances where a complaint is received for an OSSM system, Council will respond and investigate in accordance with Council’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy and Compliance Priorities Program.