Have your say on the draft Warrnambool Onsite Wastewater Management Plan 2026 - 2030 (OWMP). The Plan will ensure onsite wastewater is managed to protect human health and the environment. When finalised, this Plan will replace the Domestic Wastewater Management Plan (2020–2025).
An online application system, improved approval process and the collation of historical system records are some of the actions Council has implemented as a result of the 2020 - 2025 Plan . The OWMP builds on these successes and incorporates updated data, township characteristics and legislated changes.
What is an Onsite Wastewater Management System (OWMS)?
In unsewered areas of the Warrnambool municipality, OWMS are installed to safely deal with domestic wastewater, including waste from toilets, bathrooms and laundries. These systems are installed within unsewered residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational settings.
OWMS include septic tank systems, Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems and reed bed systems with various dispersal methods such as trenches, beds, mounds and subsurface irrigation. There are approximately 1000 OWMS in the municipality.
Why is a management plan needed?
OWMS treat and dispose of wastewater near where people live, work, and recreate. If a system fails or is not adequately maintained, untreated or partially treated waste can surface above ground and potentially flow into creeks and waterways. This can expose people to bacteria, viruses and chemicals that increase the likelihood of illness and pollute natural environments.
The OWMP provides a framework to reduce public health, environmental, and economic risk to the community and Council, posed by the disposal of wastewater in unsewered areas. Identifying and understanding these risks has underpinned the development of the OWMP. It also outlines how Council will fulfil its obligations under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Environment Protection Regulations 2021.
Key changes to the 2020-2025 management plan include a framework for site-specific risk assessments, and a transition to a risk-based framework aligned with the Environment Protection Act 2017, including application of the General Environmental Duty.
A copy of the draft Onsite Wastewater Management Plan 2026 - 2030 can be viewed online and at the Civic Centre 25 Liebig Street Warrnambool.
How can you provide comment?
- Fill in the survey at the bottom of this page to provide your feedback on the draft Plan. A hard copy survey can also be filled in at the Civic Centre, 25 Liebig Street Warrnambool.
- Make a written submission - email it to [email protected] or post it to PO Box 198, 25 Liebig Street, Warrnambool Victoria 3280. Please add “Onsite Wastewater Management Plan ” to the subject line.
How will your feedback be used?
Your feedback will be considered when finalising the Plan for Council adoption.
Survey Privacy
The personal information requested in the survey is being collected by Warrnambool City Council for the purpose of verifying the source of feedback on our surveys. The personal information will not be disclosed to any other external party unless permitted under the Information Privacy Principles and our privacy policy. If you wish to alter any of the personal information you have supplied to Warrnambool City Council, please contact Council via telephone 5559 4800 or email [email protected]
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