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Apply for a Septic Tank Permit

Do you need to install a new septic tank? You're in the right spot. You need a permit to install or alter a septic tank system.

Permit to Install

Read the guidelines

Before starting the process, please review the guidelines for installing or altering a Septic Tank(PDF, 381KB).

Contact Council's Planning Team

Contact us to determine if you need a planning permit. We can't approve a permit to install until you have received a planning permit.

Contact your water authority

Contact your water authority to find out if there are other conditions you will need to meet with your system:

Submit your application and payment

You must submit the following documents:

Once you've gathered all documents, submit your application by email, post, or in person at any of Council's offices. Once Council has received your application, you will be contacted by our Customer Service team for payment. The Customer Service team will attempt to call you three times; if they are unable to get in touch with you, your application will not move forward.

Approval process

Once you submit your application, we have 42 days to process and issue a Permit to Install. The Permit to Install is valid for 2 years.

Works for the installation of the septic system can not be started until the Permit to Install has been issued. Should work start without a permit, we may issue an infringement. When a progress inspection of the install is required, please contact Council's Environmental Health team at least 48 hours prior to organise the inspection.

Permit to Use

For a Permit to Use to be issued, Council requires the following:

As laid plan
Compliance certificate
Manufacturer's commissioning certificate (if applicable)
A servicing agreement (if applicable)
An electrical certificate (if applicable)
A final inspection completed by Council's Environmental Health team

For the final inspection, please contact Council's Environmental Health team at least 48 hours prior to organise the inspection.

Permit to Alter

Types of Permit to Alter

A Permit to Alter is required when works are required to repair or upgrade your system. There are two types of alters:

Major alter: Consists of works that adds to or replaces the septic field or modifies the septic tank.
Minor alter: Consists only of the installation, replacement or relocation of the internal plumbing, fixtures or fittings of the OWMS.

Submit your application

You must submit the following documents:

Application form(DOCX, 775KB)
Site plan(PDF, 381KB)
A Land Capability Assessment (May be required if the property has a high-risk rating)

If you wish to connect the existing system, a report from a licensed plumber must accompany the application detailing the following:

the condition (baffle); and
size of the current tank and/ or trenches.

The site plan must include:

the location of the existing septic tank system
an existing floor plan; and
Provide details of the proposed changes to be made to both the system and the dwelling (where applicable).

Fees

Type	Fee
Permit to install	$734.70
Major alteration	$734.70
Minor alteration	$559.90
Extension of permit	$124.90
Transfer of permit	$149.20
Amend a permit	$156.00
Information request	$153.00
Sample request	Cost of sample + 20%