Southern Beaches Onsite Wastewater & Stormwater Plan
We have engaged a consultant to prepare a Plan detailing how onsite wastewater and stormwater will be managed in the Southern Beaches. The aim of the plan is to protect public health and the environment, and assist with long term planning for the Southern Beaches community.
The Plan will provide advice on the suitability of on-site wastewater and stormwater and include recommendations on design standards, mitigation measures and management.
Advice will be included on the suitability of on-site wastewater in the Southern Beaches and evaluate if de-centralised wastewater schemes are required or feasible. It will also be used to inform the future Southern Beaches Structure Plan and will assist in identifying areas suitability for development.
How familiar are you with your home’s wastewater and stormwater systems?
Many properties in the Sorell area were divided up over 40 years ago, when the rules for checking if land was suitable for building were different. Nowadays, Australian Standards require wastewater systems to be designed based on the specific site and soil conditions on each property and the potential impacts on the surrounding environment are taken into consideration.
If you live in the Southern Beaches area, you’ve probably noticed that many older homes, originally built as weekend shacks, are now lived in full-time. There’s also been a rise in both new houses being built and existing houses made larger. This area is very popular, and it’s likely that more undeveloped land will eventually be turned into residential property.
Why is this important?
With more people moving in, older septic systems are starting to become less effective or are failing altogether. The environmental impact of a bad septic system might not be obvious right away and usually only shows up after heavy rain or storms.
Growth and development in the Southern Beaches is constrained by a lack of infrastructure (water, sewerage and stormwater). The expansion of the existing commercial area of Dodges Ferry is an example of this. As the Southern Beaches continues to grow managing impacts from existing on-site wastewater and stormwater will be a challenge for Council and the community. Our beaches and wetlands are valued by the Southern Beaches community, however as septic tank systems age and on-site stormwater systems are at capacity, particularly during wet weather, managing these impacts will become increasingly important.
While towns like Sorell and Midway Point were connected to a wastewater system managed by TasWater years ago, TasWater has recently said they might include the Southern Beaches area in their long-term planning for similar services, but this could take up to 50 years.
Installing these large-scale wastewater systems is usually very expensive and requires significant contributions from property owners. Other solutions, like smaller, more localised systems, may be cheaper and better suited to the needs of the Southern Beaches.
What do we need from you?
We’d like to know what you understand about your responsibilities for managing wastewater and stormwater on your property. Also, let us know what you think we should consider as we plan for infrastructure improvements that could connect to your property.
Your feedback will help consultants working with us on a sustainable wastewater and stormwater management plan for the Southern Beaches. We will have more opportunities for community engagement and information sessions soon!
Complete our Survey here
What is the timeline for this project?
November – Initial community consultation (surveys conducted)
Early December – Consultants commence field work and Community Workshop/Q&A session
February – Draft Plan received from Consultants
March – Community feedback sought on Draft Plan
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Onsite Wastewater Management System?
An on-site wastewater management system (OWMS) is a generic term that includes all types of wastewater treatment systems such as:
- Septic tank systems
- Aerated wastewater treatment systems
- Composting toilets
- Sand filters
- Wetlands
What is a reticulated system?
Reticulated wastewater systems (sewerage) collect and transfer wastewater from houses and business into a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) owned by TasWater.
What is a decentralised model?
This is a wastewater treatment system that treats and disperses wastewater from individual homes or a cluster of homes at or near the source of the wastewater discharge. These systems may serve a cluster of homes, a subdivision or small community as well as commercial and industrial complexes. These systems take advantage of the vast capacity of soil to remove or transform pollutants that are in the wastewater as it infiltrates through the soil thereby avoiding point discharges to surface waters and maintaining the quality and quantity of our groundwater.
Why do you need to know about our systems – isn’t this on Council record?
Some records of older properties (depending on year built), may not exist. Generally, Council has good records of houses built in the last 40 years.
Better understanding of what the condition/health is of your current onsite systems will help future planning of infrastructure and/or system upgrades.
Would I have to pay for a reticulated connection with TasWater?
In short, yes. This is due to the significant costs involved in establishing new sewerage schemes. New schemes usually involve an ‘upfront’ contribution from property owners towards the capital cost of construction and an ongoing annual charge for operation and maintenance costs.
How will my information be used?
- Recommendations on the sustainability of on-site wastewater management systems
- Advice on appropriate development standards for new buildings and re-development of existing buildings with respect to on-site wastewater and on-site stormwater land application.
- Determine if the Southern Beaches Onsite Wastewater and Stormwater Special Area Plan needs to be revised.
- Protect water quality at swimming beaches and aquatic eco-systems.
What consultation is proposed?
- Residents will be invited to complete an online survey.
- A letter will be sent to properties in the Southern Beaches.
- Information from the survey will be provided to Consultants engaged to develop a Draft Plan.
- This Draft Plan will be released for public comment and residents will also be able to provide feedback and/or attend meeting to ask the consultants questions.
- All submissions will be taken into consideration before the Plan is finalised and endorsed by Council.
How will we consult and inform you?
- Community meeting/s
- Online survey
- Council website
- Social media posts
- Article in our E-News
- Sorell Times newspaper
- Discussions with Key Stakeholders (Southern Beaches Landcare Coastcare, TasWater, Commercial properties, DECYP)