Wastewater and septic tanks

Decommissioning tanks needs to be done safely and responsibly to protect your health and the environment. Property owners, contractors and trades engaged to decommission and remove parts or all of a fire affected wastewater system must do so by choosing the following options:

1.  Decommissioning of tanks onsite

   Only concrete tanks, pump wells and treatment plants can be decommissioned onsite.

   • concrete tanks must be pumped out by a licensed contractor and the inlet and outlet pipes sealed.
   • knock out a hole in the bottom of the tank, the lids and any parts of the tank walls that sit above ground level so that they collapse into the tank.
   • fill the tank with clean earth or sand.
2.  Decommissioning and removal of tanks

   Decommissioned plastic tanks must be removed from the site. 

   • Plastic septic tanks and treatment plants must be pumped out by a licensed contractor.
   • The tanks are to be removed and transported to a licensed landfill facility for disposal.

Concrete tanks or treatment plants, after being pumped out, can be transported to a suitable licensed landfill site for disposal/ crushing as described above.

No approvals are required and Council does not need to be notified that a wastewater system has been decommissioned.

Any damaged plastic piping above the ground should be collected and disposed of at a licensed landfill or transfer station. Trenches that contain plastic pipes and rock that are not going to be reused can be left in the ground.

If you believe your wastewater system is repairable, contact a licensed plumber to make the system operational and meet the required performance standards.

Repairs to wastewater systems do not require Council approval (eg. replacing melted poly pipe connections from pump wells to pits, damaged tank lids or pit lids, replacing pumps and electrical connections).

If the system is damaged beyond repair, further Council approvals are needed for alterations or replacements to prevent risks and to comply with regulations.

Temporary accommodation requires a planning permit. More information about the requirements can be found on our Temporary accommodation page.

If you are intending to rebuild a residence or live in temporary accommodation onsite you may be able to reuse part or all of your existing wastewater system provided it is not damaged.

A wastewater permit is required when:

• You place temporary accommodation on the property that was your principal place of residence, and the existing system requires alteration, or a new system needs to be installed.
• You are rebuilding and the existing system requires alteration, or a new system needs to be installed.
• Your residence is not damaged, but your existing wastewater system is damaged beyond repair.

If you are planning to rebuild but will initially be living in temporary accommodation, you are advised to seek approval for a wastewater system that is designed meet the needs of a future residence by calling Council on (03) 5772 0333.

If you decide to rebuild, construct or install temporary accommodation with the intention of connecting to the existing wastewater system you must apply for a minor alteration permit by submitting an application and pay the application fee.

Include with the application an inspection and report from a licenced plumber that contains:

• a site plan showing the system location, type, dimensions and connection to the building/temporary accommodation
• details about the condition of the system after the fire, including photos and the most recent service and maintenance report.

If Council holds an existing septic tank permit and plan for the property, it can be provided on request.

An Environmental Health Officer (EHO) will assess the application and plumber’s report and may also need to inspect the system.

If the system is deemed suitable, Council will issue a permit allowing connection of wastewater fixtures from the dwelling or temporary accommodation to the existing system.

If the existing system is not suitable for use, the applicant will be required to apply to alter or replace the wastewater system.

Applications to alter or replace a wastewater system may require a Land Capability Assessment (LCA).

The requirement for an LCA is the discretion of Council in its assessment of any planning, building or wastewater application.

Fire affected properties will have their applications prioritised.