MidCoast Council has published a draft management strategy for on-site wastewater (sewage) systems, and has placed it on exhibition seeking public feedback until Monday 29 May.
This strategy was developed as a starting point to help Council’s Environmental Health Officers identify areas that require immediate attention to protect public health, the environment and local businesses from failing or poorly operated septic systems.
A preliminary risk assessment has revealed that approximately 520 systems near priority oyster aquaculture areas within the Wallis Lake, Port Stephens/Karuah River and Manning River estuaries are likely to present the greatest risk to public health and the environment and therefore should be inspected as part of a carefully considered monitoring program.
Some of these systems are on properties in North Arm Cove on Cove Boulevarde, Eastslope Way and Merriwa Boulevard.
The strategy categorises any wastewater system within 200 metres of a priority oyster aquaculture area as a high risk system, and it includes provision for a monitoring program for these systems, and guidance on any compliance and enforcement actions that may be required.
The Council advises that its officers will take a calculated and measured approach when addressing noncompliant systems and activities in these environmentally sensitive areas, balancing the needs of the individual against those of the wider community. It is anticipated that about 40% of systems inspected in the first 12 months of implementing the monitoring program will to some degree require follow-up action, which is based on recent proactive inspections in oyster aquaculture areas primarily in the former Great Lakes Council area.
If you have an on-site wastewater system that is located within 200 metres of the two aquaculture leases in North Arm Cove, you should read the draft strategy and lodge a submission through Council's Have Your Say system - you can access Have your Say through the following link - wastewater system have your say.
I have attached a copy of the draft strategy below which you can download.
