Environmental health

The Shire’s Environmental Health Unit provides a broad range of public health initiatives at a local level. Environmental Health Officers assess risk and develop, regulate, enforce and monitor laws and regulations governing public health for both the built and natural environment. Our work is targeted towards preventing disease and creating health –supportive environments.

The role of environmental health:

• Ensure shops, cafes, restaurants and any other organisations engaged in the sale of food follow the requirements in the Food Act 2008;

• Investigate complaints about food safety;

• Assess wastewater applications and inspect installations including effluent disposal systems and greywater systems;

• Monitor water quality for bacteria content of natural water bodies used for swimming, swimming pools, drinking water and recycled water used for irrigation;

• Monitor and control noise pollution;

• Provide advice and interpretation on the Health Local Laws relating to the keeping of chickens and other poultry, bee-keeping and waste management;

• Register and inspect lodging houses with shared facilities such as backpackers;

• Register and inspect caravan parks and camping grounds;

• Respond to concerns regarding air pollution including smoke, dust, chemicals and asbestos;

• Design and conduct health education programmes or public information campaigns;

• Manage programmes to minimise exposure to disease-causing pests such as mosquitoes;

• Investigate and manage public health incidents such as disease outbreaks;

• Manage programmes to control public health, safety  and environmental issues associated with public events;

• Respond to disasters and emergency situations where public health is at risk;

• Assess building development applications and inspect public buildings to ensure they comply with the appropriate regulations;

• Assess liquor licence applications including those for Section 39 certificates; and

• Assess and inspect premises that may present infectious disease risks to the community, such as tattoo parlours and other premises where skin penetration and body piercing occurs.

Food

Information regarding food for purchasers, food businesses, schools and community groups can be found here

Wastewater

Information regarding applying to install a septic system or other types of systems on a property can be found here

Water quality

Information regarding public swimming pools, natural water bodies and drinking water can be found here

Poultry and health local laws

Information regarding the keeping of chickens, roosters, ducks and other poultry and the keeping of bees can be found here

Noise

Information regarding noisy neighbours, construction noise, and all other types of noise can be found here

Asbestos

Information regarding the safe removal and disposal of asbestos and details of licensed asbestos contractors can be found here

Mosquitoes

Information regarding prevention of mosquito bites and reducing breeding sites can be found here

Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds

Information regarding establishing a caravan park or camping ground can be found here