Public Health & Food Safety
Environmental Health is the aspect of human health determined by physical, biological and social factors in the environment. The protection, promotion and improvement of Environmental Health matters are major functions of Council in ensuring that public health is maintained to a high standard across a wide and diverse range of focus areas including:
Food Safety
Onsite Sewage Management Systems
Asbestos
Untidy & Dilapidated Premises
Swimming Pool Safety
Hairdressing & Beauty Salons
Food Safety
Council is continually working with the NSW Food Authority to ensure that food safety within the Shire is of the highest standard under the Food Regulation Partnership (FRP). As a result of the FRP consumers are able to enjoy a high level of equality in food safety standards across all of NSW. This is achieved in part via Council conducting routine food premises inspections and providing guidance and advice to food handlers where required.
For further details, visit the NSW Food Authority website.
In addition to food premises that operate on a full-time basis, Council have developed a policy for one-day food stalls aimed at maintaining the same high level of food safety. This policy is to be used by stall holders at events such as cake stalls, sporting events, shows, sausage sizzles and occasions where temporary food stalls are required.
Download the One-Day Food Stall Policy here
Onsite Sewage Management Systems
Onsite sewage management systems treat wastewater on properties not serviced by Council’s sewer infrastructure. Council performs a regulatory role in ensuring that all systems are approved and are functioning correctly and efficiently, as a failed or poorly managed system can become a threat to the health of the environment, homeowners, neighbours, and in some cases the wider community.
Within the Shire, the two most common system types are the septic tank and absorption trench arrangement and the increasingly common aerated wastewater system. These can be differentiated by:
Septic Tank and Absorption Trench: The traditional ‘septic tank and rubble drain’ typically consists of a minimum 3000L underground tank (stamped with an Australian Standard marking and containing a baffle to retain the wastewater for as long as possible). Wastewater enters the tank and forms a ‘crust’ on top of the waterline forming an environment for anaerobic bacteria to digest and breakdown the waste into effluent. Effluent is then disposed of through a sub-surface absorption trench. The minimum trench length for this type of system within the Coolamon Shire is 50 lineal metres. Trench lengths may vary however depending on soil types and potential loadings.
This type of system needs ongoing care and attention from the householder to ensure the bacteria are kept healthy and the trench is maintained in operational condition. Neglected systems often experience ‘trench failure’ caused by a combination of poor choice in household cleaning product, trench compaction (from vehicles or livestock), trench inundation (through flooding or overland water infiltration), or a lack of a grease trap causing the trench to become water repellent.
Aerated Wastewater System: Also referred to by brand names such as ‘Bio-cycle’, ‘Bio-septic’, or ‘Enviro-cycle’ among others, this type of system relies on the introduction of air into the tank to provide aerobic bacteria with the right conditions to digest and breakdown the waste into effluent. Effluent is then further treated by either chlorine or UV light, before being irrigated onto gardens or tree plantings.
An aerated wastewater system is generally accredited by NSW Health and requires servicing by an authorised service agent 3-4 times per year, depending on the system type and manufacturer.
Council staff are able to offer advice to householders to ensure an existing system is maintained in a safe and healthy condition, or alternatively assist developers in choosing the right system and specifications for new building works. Further information can be found in the Easy Septic Guide (below), or by contacting Council on 02 6930 1800.
View the Easy Septic Guide here
View the Instructions for the Decommissioning of Septic Tanks here
Asbestos
The Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia Inc has established a helpline to help homeowners, workers and the general public deal with asbestos. PH: 1800 006 196
Asbestos Related Information
Asbestos Related Diseases
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of mesothelioma, a rare cancer that develops in the lungs. It is almost solely caused by exposure to asbestos, which was used in everything in children’s toys, house-hold insulation, and naval carriers. Learn more about mesothelioma symptoms, life expectancy, and steps to take after diagnosis at Pleuralmesothelioma.com or at asbestos.com
Untidy & Dilapidated Premises
In accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 and the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979, Council has the ability to order an owner or occupant to clean, tidy, repair, remove or cease using a premises for a certain activity if there is potential for, or has been, a threat to public health.
Untidy and dilapidated premises cause frequent complaints to be made to Council. It is Council’s role to determine whether untidiness in somebodies view is a health issue to another. Ultimately, Council aims to ensure that all premises are kept in a safe and healthy condition to benefit not only the occupants of a premises, but also neighbours and the greater community.
Swimming Pool Safety
Enjoying the benefits of a swimming pool in your back yard can only occur if all possible safety procedures are followed. Tragically, each year on average, 10 children under the age of five drown in backyard swimming pools. Many more suffer serious injuries or permanent damage as a result of near-drowning experiences. Many of these tragedies could be prevented by ensuring that adequate swimming pool fences and barriers are provided to all swimming pools and spas.
In NSW, all swimming pools and spa pools are required to be secured by pool fencing or an approved 'child resistant' barrier. Such fences and barriers must be installed in accordance with the requirements of the Swimming Pools Act 1992 and the Australian Standard AS 1926-2007 – Swimming Pool Safety.
It is also essential that home owners and occupiers ensure that swimming pool fencing and other barriers are maintained in a good condition and that all gates are self closing and self latching at all times.
A pool checklist can be viewed on the Royal Life Saving wesbite.
There is however, no substitute for constant adult supervision. Children in and around swimming pools and spas must be watched at all times, irrespective of their swimming ability. Tragically, many drownings occur in the brief moments when parents are distracted. Therefore, it is essential that children are watched at all times by a responsible adult.
Never leave children alone in the pool area. Parents are also encouraged to introduce their children to water safety at an early age and to attend swimming classes.
Hairdressing & Beauty Salons
Under the Local Government Act 1993, hairdressing and beauty salons (together with ear and body piercers, tattooists, acupuncturists or any other ‘skin penetration’ premises determined by the Act) require approval to operate, and may also be subject to Council inspection. This is because such premises provide services where the skin may be penetrated (either accidentally or purposely) posing a significant risk of disease transmission among clients.
Council has developed a short summary of Schedule 2 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 that relates to Hairdresser and Beautician premises requirements. Requirements for other skin penetration premises can be obtained by contacting Council on 02 6930 1800 or by viewing the NSW Health Skin Penetration Code of Practice available below.
View the Hairdressing and Beauty Salon info sheet
Download the NSW Health - Beauty treatment - hygiene standards