Golden Plains Shire Council adopted its Domestic Wastewater Management Plan 2023 at its Council meeting on Tuesday 27 June.
The previous Domestic Wastewater Management Plan (the Plan), adopted in 2015, was reviewed and updated to reflect current legislative requirements and policy changes as well as growth within the Shire.
As the population of Golden Plains Shire continues to grow, ensuring effective management of domestic wastewater becomes crucial for preserving the environment and safeguarding public health. The newly adopted Plan sets out a strategic framework that not only addresses current needs but also accounts for future challenges and developments.
Domestic wastewater management refers to the management of wastewater generated by households, commercial or public buildings which are not connected to reticulated sewerage.
In Golden Plains, only parts of Bannockburn, Smythesdale and Enfield are serviced by reticulated sewerage with all other areas of the Shire serviced by onsite wastewater management (septic tank) systems (OWMS), designed to treat and contain waste within the boundaries of a property.
The adopted plan also highlights the township of Meredith as a high priority for sewerage and proposes Council pursue a case for sewerage in the township of Meredith.
This is the third Domestic Wastewater Management Plan for Golden Plains Shire and has been developed following input from stakeholders, including the community.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Brett Cunningham said Council was pleased to adopt the Domestic Wastewater Management Plan 2023.
Most dwellings within Golden Plains Shire are unsewered, resulting in approximately 8,500 existing onsite water management systems. With the population projected to increase in the Golden Plains over the coming decade and increased subdivision of lots, it is important to have in place a current plan that gives clear direction in relation to the management of domestic wastewater.
Now adopted, Council will collaborate with the Meredith community and relevant agencies to pursue a case for sewerage in Meredith.
The adopted Domestic Wastewater Management Plan is available on Council’s website: goldenplains.vic.gov.au, or a print copy may be requested at Council’s Customer Hubs, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn and The Well, 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale.
The development of the Domestic Wastewater Management Plan 2023 was partially funded by a $20,000 grant from the Victorian State Government’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (formerly known as the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning).