Gosford City Council has undertaken a rigorous review of the content of reports submitted to Council to support on-site sewage management for existing and proposed developments. Council is responsible for determining the overall suitability of on-site sewage management arrangements for all sites.

Council has concerns in regards to the level of soil testing/analysis, detail and commentary within reports submitted which do not address the requirements of AS/NZS1547:2000 On Site Domestic Wastewater Management and Environment and Health Guidelines On-Site Sewage Management for Single Households.

The above mentioned Standard and Guidelines details specific site assessment, soil testing and calculations etc required to be undertaken to determine limitations and sizing of irrigation areas in regard to land application of primary and secondary treated effluent.

Reporting Standards

To provide a benchmark to assist Council and consultants regarding the minimum level of detail required to support on-site sewage management proposals the following information is required to be included in all submitted reports.

1. Nitrogen, phosphorous and water balance calculations (details of Bureau of Meteorology information source to be supplied).
2. Site Assessment rating for on-site systems i.e. Table 4 of the Environment and Health Protection Guidelines.
3. Soil Assessment rating for on-site systems i.e. Table 6 of the Environment and Health Protection Guidelines.
4. Soil test as required under Table 7 of the Environment and Health Protection Guidelines. Council advises that if there is no record of detailed surveys at subdivision stage for properties within the Gosford LGA, a reduced level of assessment is not considered sufficient. Comprehensive, detailed, site specific assessment and testing as required under AS/NZS 1547:2000 On-Site Domestic-Wastewater Management and the Environment and Health Protection Guidelines On-Site Sewage Management for Single Households is required for all applications. Copies of laboratory testing and detailed commentary, analysis and required soil improvement details to be included.
5. A detailed site plan at a suitable scale indicating all boundaries, north point, existing and proposed improvements, driveways, creeks, dams, location of proposed septic tank(s), proposed land application area, vegetation and/or trees proposed for removal within or adjacent to the land application area etc. Setbacks from the above mentioned features to the land application area are to be clearly indicated in accordance with Table 5 of the Environment and Health Protection Guidelines. Commentary to be included where buffer distance setbacks cannot be achieved must be supplied.

Consistency

Gosford City Council requires consistency of reporting in a format that permits review of reports to minimise delays for customers ensuring on-site wastewater disposal systems are suitable and sustainable in accordance with accepted standards and guidelines and provide a degree of certainty for those parties submitting reports for on-site sewage management.

Need More Information?

Should you require any further information or wish to discuss this matter further please do not hesitate to contact Ross Spare or David Couture between the hours of 8.00am - 10.30am daily on telephone number 4325 8142.