Health Regulations

Food Safety

Council plays an important role in the food industry as it works in conjunction with the NSW Food Authority to ensure food provided to the general public is suitable for human consumption.

Councils Environmental Health Officers are authorised under the Food Act 2003 to carry out food premises inspections ensuring that practices and procedures such as food labelling, hand washing and general cleanliness, temperature control and food storage are conducted appropriately in accordance with the Food Standards Code. As a Category B food “Enforcement Agency” Council is required to conduct the inspection of food businesses such as restaurants, cafés, takeaway shops, caterers, bakeries, pubs, clubs, hotels and supermarket hot food sales. All large wholesale premises as well as butchers are inspected directly be the NSW Food Authority.

Inspections on food businesses are generally carried out twice a year however this will be dependent on the type of food business, for example those that only handle packaged foods may be subject to only one inspection per year. The owner of the business will be required to pay an inspection charge of $100 per inspection which will also include re-inspections.

The Food Act 2003 also requires certain food businesses to have at least one trained Food Safety Supervisor (FSS). This requirement was established to help reduce foodborne illness in the hospitality and retail food service sectors in NSW by improving food handler skills and knowledge.

For further information on all things food safety related please visit the NSW Food Authority by clicking here.

Hairdressing, Beauty & Skin Penetration

Under the Public Health Act 2010 & Regulation 2012 it is Councils responsibility to maintain a register of all hairdressers, beauty salons and places where skin penetration procedures are carried out and conduct annual inspections of these businesses. Each business owner will be charged per inspection which will also include re-inspections.

It shall be noted that skin penetration means to following type of procedures:

• Acupuncture

• Beauty treatments

• Piercing

• Tattooing

• Waxing

• Colonic Lavage

For further information on skin penetration procedures and requirements please visit the NSW Health – Skin Penetration Industry by clicking here

Legionella Control

To report high test result for Legionella and or heterotrophic colony count you must contact council as soon as possible on (02) 6953 0911.

You also need to complete the standard notification of reportable test results form from NSW Health website and email it to council@leeton.nsw.gov.au

Legionella is a bacterium that is known to exist in water cooling systems which can cause an infection of the lungs commonly known as Legionnaires disease. Infection occurs 2-10 days after a person breathes in the bacteria in contaminated water vapours or dust and usually causes fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath which can then result in pneumonia. Most people recover but the disease is occasionally fatal.

Under the Public Health Act 2010 & Regulation 2012 it is Councils responsibility to maintain a register of all regulated systems conducive to growth of Legionella within the Shire and conduct an annual inspection of each business premise. Inspections for each premises will be $160.00 and this will also include any re-inspection.

For further information on Legionella Control please visit NSW Health – Legionella and Legionnaires Disease

On-Site Sewage Management System

An On-Site Sewage Management System is a wastewater system which is installed within the boundaries of a property not serviced by Councils reticulated sewer system. Examples of these system include septic tanks, collection wells, aerated wastewater treatment system and greywater treatment systems.

Under Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993, an owner is required to obtain approvals to install and operate a system of sewage management from Council. The following fees will be applied upon lodgement of these applications:

• Approval to install a system of sewage management - $170

• Approval to operate a system of sewage management - $40

• Inspection of On-Site Sewage Management System - $85

Please download Councils Combined Development and Building Application form here and complete all sections as listed under “Approval under Sec. 68 of Local Government Act 1993”. In addition, Council requires the following details to support the application:

• Site plan showing the location of the system in relation to other buildings and structures on the property. Also include the proposed land application area for the treated wastewater.

• If installing a septic tank, details on the size and type sub-surface drainage system to be constructed.

• Accreditation details of the system to be installed. These details can be found at NSW Health – On-site single domestic wastewater management.

Under the Local Government Act 1993 Council is to maintain a register of all On-Site Sewage management Systems installed throughout the local government area and carry out an inspection program according to a level of hazard associated with a particular system. Please note that Council is currently working on establishing a formal policy and inspection program for the installation and operation of the systems and all owners will be made aware of these prior to their implementation.