On-site sewage

Sewage network

On a property that’s connected to the sewage network, the wastewater is conveyed to a centralised treatment facility and it doesn't need to be managed on-site.

Enquiries about premises connected or to be connected to the reticulated water sewer systems should be made to Hunter Water Corporation on 1300 657 657.

On-site Sewage Management

A property that’s not connected to the sewage network, the wastewater must be managed on-site using an on-site sewage management system (OSSM)

A properly designed, installed and maintained OSSM will safely and sustainably treat and dispose of wastewater.

If you own a property with an OSSM, it's your responsibility to ensure that it's working properly.

A failing sewage management system is a health risk for your family, the community and it may cause harm to the environment.

System types

The type of system proposed for a particular site requires careful consideration by an experienced wastewater consultant and/or licensed plumber.

Its design should be specific to the attributes of the property, and the type and volume of wastewater generated.

Making changes to a system without approval can cause problems with how it functions and reduce its effective life.

On-site Sewage Management & Authority to Operate application

Council approval is required to install a new system, alter an existing system and operate that system once approved works are complete.

Note: If the installation or alteration of a system is associated with development or a use that requires development consent (i.e. a DA) this should be obtained prior to making an s.68 application to install/alter. For further information on what information is needed to accompany a development consent in relation to wastewater please see Lodging a DA – Submission Matrix

1. Submitting Section 68 OSSM Application to Council

1.1.Complete On-Site Wastewater Management System Approval to Operate Declaration and Owners Consent | CCC

1.2.Complete a Site & Soil Assessment Report for an On-Site Sewage Management System | CCC, if applicable.

1.3.Obtain all the required documentation to support your application per the checklist found on the On-Site Wastewater Management System Approval to Operate Declaration and Owners Consent | CCC

1.4.Submit Section 68 Application via NSW Planning Portal using our application OSSM Application Guide for NSW Planning Portal | CCC

1.5.Preliminary assessment will be conducted by Council and request for additional information will be made if required

Once application is accepted for assessment, you will be contacted for payment of the application per Council Fees and Charges | CCC

2. Assessment of Section 68 OSSM Application

1.1.Following payment, your application will be lodged and assigned to an Environmental Health Officer

1.2.Your application will undergo assessment for determination of approval or rejection, which may include request for further information or clarification

1.3.The application will be determined and issued via the NSW Planning Portal

3. Approval to Install

1.1.Where approved, an Approval to Install is issued. You must provide this approval and its associated approved plans to your installer.

1.2.Inspections are conducted at key stages throughout the system installation, which you or your installer must book with Council directly. The inspection process will be detailed in your Approval to Install issued by Council.

4. Approval to Operate

4.1.Once the system is installed in accordance with the approval, and a satisfactory final inspection has been conducted, you will be provided with an Approval to Operate.

4.2.The approval will set out your conditions of operation, including regular maintenance requirements.

4.3.If the land or property is sold, Council will update the new owner’s details and reissue the Authority to Operate to the new owner. This will be completed once the NSW Land Registry Service provides Council with the ‘Notice of Transfer’.

OSSM fees

Annual fees apply for properties that have an on-site sewage management system. Fees to operate or inspect are calculated in accordance with Council’s Fees and Charges.

New application (inclusive of required inspections)

Payable on initial application.

Routine domestic/residential site and system inspection

No fee.

Routine commercial site and system inspection

Invoiced after inspection is conducted.

Re-inspection

Where re-inspection(s) are required, a fee is invoiced after the inspection.

Approval to Operate

Annual fee for all systems, included on the rates certificate.

Extraordinary costs

On an as needed basis, invoiced after being conducted (e.g. investigatory samples, dye testing).

Your responsibilities

Property owners are responsible for system maintenance and operation, including repairs.

If you have an onsite system, you must:

ensure sure you have approval to use the system
know the type of system you have
understand its service and maintenance requirements
know the location of your wastewater treatment system and its layout (land application area)
monitor its performance and identify problems early. Leaks, soggy ground and bad odours indicate a problem.

Avoid costly repairs

Protect your system from damage:

Exclude vehicles and large animals from the area directly above your system. They can crush plumbing, compact the ground and cause a system failure.

Have your septic tank or treatment plant pumped out every three to five years. Sludge can cause blockages that lead to system failure.

Keep mechanical systems serviced. Regular servicing ensures critical components and disinfection processes are maintained.

Check household products for suitability for use in septic systems. Some cleaners can interfere with the bacterial breakdown in the tank.

Use the On-Site Sewage Management (OSSM) System Home-Owner Self Assessment Checklist

Decommission an on-site wastewater system

If your septic system is no longer needed (e.g. you have connected to sewer or installed a new wastewater system) then the system must be made safe.

To decommission a system you will need to engage a licensed plumber to complete the works and complete the Notice of Decommission with required attachments.

Once received, Council will update our register and remove the 'annual approval to operate' charge for this system from your rates notice.

Unauthorised installation or alteration of an on-site wastewater system

Installing, or altering on onsite wastewater system without an approval is an offence. Make sure you, your plumber or service agent are in possession of an approval before any such works commence.

There are no exemptions to this requirement and Council does not approve the installation or alteration to systems informally. Do not accept tradesmen advising otherwise.

Examples of altering a system include

Changing the treatment system
Changing the location of disposal
Changing how treated wastewater is disposed of i.e. if approved to dispose underground it cannot be changed to surface irrigation.
Altering the sanitary drainage fittings connected to the system

Repairs to an approved system that do not substantially change the system as approved are permitted without an approval, examples of repairs include:

Replacing components like for like
Repairing cracks or resealing tanks
De-sludge pump-out
Restocking consumables such as chlorine

Council cannot grant retrospective approval for any installation or alteration works that have already been undertaken, however depending on the circumstances it may be regularised through an Approval to Operate. For further information see unauthorised operation of an on-site sewage management system

Council will preference a conciliatory approach where a party is proactively seeking to regularise the unauthorised installation or alteration of a system but retains the option to instigate compliance action having regard to our Compliance and Enforcement Policy.

If you are unsure, contact Council’s Customer Service team on 4993 4100 and ask to speak to the Environmental Health Duty Officer.

Unauthorised operation of an on-site sewage management system

Operating an on-site sewage management system without an Approval to Operate is an offence under the Local Government Act 1993.

Council will preference a conciliatory approach where a party is proactively seeking to regularise unauthorised installation, alteration, or use of a system but retains the option to instigate compliance action having regard to our Compliance and Enforcement Policy.

The most common scenarios and guidance on what to do is provided below.

Scenario	What to do
A system has been installed without approval	Complete and submit Unauthorised on-site sewage management system application as described below.
A system has been altered without an approval to do so rendering the existing approval void	1. Reinstate the system as approved; or 2. Complete and submit 'Unauthorised on-site sewage management system application' as described below.
An approval to operate has been revoked by Council	The reason for revocation, and guidance on what is required will have been included in any revocation notice. Contact Council to discuss if you are unsure.
A system has been approved to be installed but is yet to have the final inspection conducted approving its operation.	1. Contact your installer or Council to discuss the outstanding requirements. 2. Once satisfied the system is installed as approved book a final inspection by contacting Councils Customer Service team on 4993 4100

If you believe you have a system that has not been approved to operate, you may submit an application to rectify using the ‘Approval to Operate an Existing System of Sewage Management | CCC’ form.

Please complete and upload the On-Site Wastewater Management System Approval to Operate Declaration and Owners Consent | CCC form when completing the ‘Unauthorised on-site sewage management system application’. This form is compulsory with all Cessnock City Council On-Site Wastewater Management System application and has a checklist of items required to for the application to proceed.

Note: It is recommended that you seek professional advice from your system installer, service agent or a wastewater consultant regarding your specific circumstances should you need assistance.