In this Section
On-site Sewage Management Strategy (OSMS)
Richmond Valley Council has embraced recent legislative changes toward the management of on-site sewage management. The aim of the new legislation is to redirect New South Wales towards sustainable on-site management of domestic sewage and wastewater. These changes encompass improved health and environmental outcomes by enhancing the capacity of Richmond Valley Council to monitor, manage and regulate sewage pollution, in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development. To address these regulatory reforms Richmond Valley Council has produced this Draft On-Site Sewage and Wastewater Management Strategy and a Draft Development Control Plan.
On-site sewage and wastewater management and disposal is regulated by a number of guidelines and legalisations, these include the recent amendment to the Local Government (Approvals) Amendment (Sewage Management) Regulation 1998. This regulation defines a 'sewage management facility' as:
- a human waste storage facility; and
- a waste treatment device intended to process sewage and includes a drain connected to such a facility or device.
The Local Government (Approvals) Regulation 1993, as amended by the Local Government (Approvals) Amendment (Sewage Management) Regulation 1998, was gazetted on March 6, 1998. The amendments do not alter the existing powers and duties of the Council to regulate the installation of an operation of on-site sewage management systems under Section 68 and 124 of the Local Government Act, 1993. However, the new regulation stipulates:
- Council's responsibilities and powers to regulate the installation and ongoing operation of on-site sewage management systems;
- Performance standards for on-site sewage management, including protection of public health and prevention of environmental damage;
- Accreditation roles and responsibilities of NSW Health;
- Responsibilities of owners to seek a renewable approval to operate the facility; and
- Council's responsibilities to develop a strategy for on-site sewage management within its area.
This On-site Sewage and Wastewater Strategy encompasses all single dwelling domestic on-site wastewater disposal systems within the Richmond Valley Council area. The Strategy is divided into four (4) Sections being:
Section 1 Introduction to Richmond Valley Council On-Site Sewage and Wastewater Management Strategy.
Section 2 Richmond Tweed On-Site Regional Sewage and Wastewater Strategy.
Part A - Assessment and Design of On-site Management Systems
Part B - On-Site Management Systems Design Document
Part C - Site Assessment Reporting Procedures
Section 3 Approval to Operate Sewage and Wastewater Management Systems - Management and Implementation
Section 4 Community Information Documents
Click below to download the Strategy
Richmond Valley On-site Sewage & Wastewater Management Strategy (PDF)
(approximate file size: 1,006Kb)
Links:
Richmond Valley Development Control Plan # 11 - On-site Sewage Management (PDF)
(approximate file size: 755Kb)