In accordance with section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993, Council approval is required before a new on-site sewage management system is installed and before any changes to an existing on-site sewage management system are undertaken.
An onsite sewage management system must be:
- appropriate for long-term use on the site
- operated to meet the performance standards specified in Clause 44(1) of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021.
Specified standards include:
- prevention of spread of disease by micro-organisms
- prevention of spread of foul odours
- prevention of contamination of water
- prevention of degradation of soil and vegetation
- discouragement of insects and vermin
- ensuring people don't come into contact with untreated sewage or effluent (whether treated or not) in their ordinary activities at the site
- minimising any adverse impacts on the site and surrounding land's amenity
- if appropriate, providing for the reuse of resources (including nutrients, organic matter and water).
For further information regarding on-site sewage management systems you can access Council’s Onsite Sewage Management Guideline here.(PDF, 967KB) Alternatively you can contact Council on 02 42320444 to discuss any questions you may have.
Apply to install
If you lodge a Development Application with Council and a requirement is to install a new onsite sewage management system, you'll need to apply via the NSW Planning Portal
Submit your application
You'll need to include the following documents with your application.
A site plan drawn to appropriate scale.
It must clearly show:
- the approximate location of the proposed tank;
- the location and sizing of the proposed land application area/s;
- all setbacks to sensitive site features including:
- dwellings and other structures;
- recreational areas (i.e. swimming pools, children’s play areas etc);
- driveways and hardstand areas;
- surface water (rivers, creeks, dams, drains, stormwater discharge points etc);
- groundwater bores/wells;
- sensitive vegetation;
- property boundaries;
- escarpments. retaining walls and embankments;
- in ground water tanks; and
- bedrock or hardpan.
Details (specifications/drawings) of the onsite sewage management system to be installed.
Include all specifications and NSW Department of Health certification details.
Detailed site soil and hydraulic assessment prepared by an appropriately qualified geotechnical or wastewater expert.
Assessment must reference:
- The Environment & Health Protection Guidelines: Onsite Sewage Management for Single Households. This includes a wastewater report template.
- AS/NZS 1547:2012 Onsite domestic wastewater management.
- WaterNSW Designing and Installing Onsite Wastewater Systems.
- Kiama Onsite Sewage Management Facilities (OSMF) Guideline
How to lodge
Submit your application online to the NSW Planning Portal.
- Register for a NSW Planning Portal account to start your application.
- Log in to complete the online application form.
You may be required to submit further documents to support your application.
Modify or upgrade
If your system requires modification such as new absorption trenches, or if it hasn't passed a Council inspection, you'll need to modify or upgrade your existing system.
Prepare for an inspection
If your system requires modification, you'll need to:
- dig 3 holes to a depth of 1.2 metres in the proposed disposal are
- cover each hole for safety
- allow Council Officers to inspect the site.
Submit your application
You'll need to include the following documents with your application.
A site plan drawn to appropriate scale.
It must clearly show:
- the approximate location of the proposed tank;
- the location and sizing of the proposed land application area/s;
- all setbacks to sensitive site features including:
- dwellings and other structures;
- recreational areas (i.e. swimming pools, children’s play areas etc);
- driveways and hardstand areas;
- surface water (rivers, creeks, dams, drains, stormwater discharge points etc);
- groundwater bores/wells;
- sensitive vegetation;
- property boundaries;
- escarpments. retaining walls and embankments;
- in ground water tanks; and
- bedrock or hardpan.
Details (specifications/drawings) of the onsite sewage management system to be installed.
Include all specifications and NSW Department of Health certification details.
Detailed site soil and hydraulic assessment prepared by an appropriately qualified geotechnical or wastewater expert.
Assessment must reference:
- The Environment & Health Protection Guidelines: Onsite Sewage Management for Single Households. This includes a wastewater report template.
- AS/NZS 1547:2012 Onsite domestic wastewater management.
- WaterNSW Designing and Installing Onsite Wastewater Systems.
- Kiama Onsite Sewage Management Facilities (OSMF) Guideline
Prepare for an inspection
If your system requires modification, you'll need to:
- dig 3 holes to a depth of 1.2 metres in the proposed disposal are
- cover each hole for safety
- allow Council Officers to inspect the site.
Submit your application
You'll need to include the following documents with your application.
A site plan drawn to appropriate scale.
It must clearly show:
- proposed effluent irrigation areas
- land area available
- driveways
- paved areas
- pools
- other structures
- proximity to sensitive environments (creeks, drains, dams etc)
- slope and aspect.
Details (specifications/drawings) of the onsite sewage management system to be installed.
Include all specifications and NSW Department of Health certification details.
Detailed site soil and hydraulic assessment prepared by an appropriately qualified geotechnical or wastewater expert.
Assessment must reference:
- The Environment & Health Protection Guidelines: Onsite Sewage Management for Single Households. This includes a wastewater report template.
- AS/NZS 1547:2012 Onsite domestic wastewater management.
- WaterNSW Designing and Installing Onsite Wastewater Systems.
How to lodge
Submit your application online to the NSW Planning Portal.
- Register for a NSW Planning Portal account to start your application.
- Log in to complete the online application form.
You may be required to submit further documents to support your application.
If you buy a property that has an onsite sewage management system, you'll need to apply for approval to operate it.
Approval to operate is linked to the owner not the property.
You need to apply for an approval to operate via the NSW Planning Portal within 3 months of the land transfer date or date the land is conveyed to you, in order to continue operating the system until your application is assessed.
Include in your application the system's information and servicing details of the system if known.
How to lodge
Submit your application online to the NSW Planning Portal
- Register for a NSW Planning Portal account to start your application.
- Log in to complete the online application form.
You may be required to submit further documents to support your application.