Septic stink
SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council has been urged to challenge the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) over a rule governing septic systems and water bores at Sandy Point and Venus Bay.
The Sandy Point Community Group said a regulation requiring septic systems to be 50m from a domestic water bore was hindering construction of new homes, and affecting property sales and values.
Building approvals have been delayed as property owners have been unable to obtain a sewerage permit.
The setback may be reduced to 20m if the wastewater system includes secondary treatment and disinfection.
Small blocks in the towns impede residents’ ability to comply as a neighbour’s water bore may be close to the property boundary.
While domestic water bores are not licensed for potable water use, some people use bore water to supplement household potable water supplies.
Neither Sandy Point nor Venus Bay has reticulated water or sewerage, and Tarwin Lower could also be affected.
Sandy Point Community Group president Dr Neil Shaw addressed council about the issue last Wednesday, ahead of council debating further action at tomorrow’s (Wednesday) council meeting.
He said many Sandy Point residents were not aware of the regulation’s implications.
“Don’t let the EPA get away with this and cause so much angst in the community,” he said.
“Dr Shaw said Sandy Point had been governed by a setback of 15m for many years.
How many instances have there been in Sandy Point where people have suffered illness as a direct result of contaminated water from bores?” he said.
“The most likely source of any water contamination would be animal and bird faeces in rainwater tanks.”
Dr Shaw told The Star while the EPA rule was 11 years old, council had only started to implement it, given it has a new map indicating where bores are.
Mayor Cr Jim Fawcett said for council to challenge the EPA by producing scientific evidence of groundwater contamination would be costly.
“I do appreciate what you are saying but it is a good example of the reality of council and its budget,” he said.
“It is not a question of us thumbing our noses at the EPA. We can’t.”
But Cr Andrew McEwen disagreed, saying council’s role was to advocate on behalf of the community.
“It is absolutely appropriate that council writes to the EPA asking what is the scientific basis,” he said.
Crs Bob Newton and Don Hill concurred with Cr McEwen.
Cr Hill said, “It affects people’s ability to build. I believe we can lobby. This council should be lobbying the minister, anybody.”
Ken Stranger of Sandy Point said the community must be told of the implications.
While the EPA rule applies to new sewerage systems, Dr Shaw said old systems were causing issues.
“Old septic tanks cannot be replaced in the exact same location by a new modern water treatment system because of the new EPA setback rules,” he said.
“Many of these old systems are already well within 20m of existing bores.”
Dr Shaw believed about 500 or 78 per cent of Sandy Point homes used old concrete septics, “many of which have not been emptied or properly maintained for many years”.
“Old septics are contributing the bulk of domestic wastewater discharge into the ground. Why has council not introduced some discussion on this aspect of the sewerage issue?” he said.
A council report stated no planning permit has been refused so far as neighbours either relocate or decommission bores to resolve any issues.
Progress risk: Ken Stranger (left) of Sandy Point and Sandy Point Community Group president Dr Neil Shaw are concerned about the implications of an EPA rule affecting development in their town.
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