Public & Environmental Health

Council is responsible for providing support services necessary to maintain public health and environmental standards. We also provide education, prevention, monitoring of health standards, strategic planning, health program development, promotion of health awareness and provision of community health.

Legislative guidelines are The Food Act 1984 and related standards and codes Public Health & Wellbeing Act 2008 and related regulations and guidelines Environment Protection Act 1970 and related policies, regulations and guidelines Tobacco Act 1987 Residential Tenancies Act 1998 and related regulations Local Government Act 1989.

Environmental Protection

Nuisances
Under the nuisance provisions of the Public Health & Wellbeing Health Act 2008 Council is required to remedy as far as reasonably possible all nuisances within its municipality. In establishing that a nuisance exists Council must be satisfied that the state, condition or activity is a substantial and unreasonable interference, disturbance or annoyance with an individual's rights relating to the use and enjoyment of his or her land. All factors and conflicting interests must be considered when investigating a nuisance and determining the level of nuisance that would be reasonably expected. What constitutes such a substantial degree of interference must be decided upon according to what are reasonable standards for the use or enjoyment of those premises.

We may take action under the Public Health & Wellbeing Act 2008 for causing and/or knowingly allowing a nuisance to exist or alternatively if Council is of the opinion that the matter is better settled privately advise the complainant of any alternative methods for settling the matter.

Pest Control
Council provides information and advice on Pest Control. This includes animal pests (rats, mice, snakes etc) and insect pests (cockroaches, spiders, bees, wasps, fleas etc). Pests can be brought in for identification and advice is provided on measures to eradicate and control particular pests.

We also investigates complaints of pest infestations and harbourage. Reports of pest activity can only be investigated where there is a potential source for pests to be attracted and not in circumstances where they are part of the natural environment.

European wasp information line: Tel: 1800 060 864 or visit the CSIRO website.