Draft Trade Waste Bylaw
Closed: 16 December 2024
We reviewed the Trade Waste bylaw which was adopted in 2018 and was up for review. Councils are required to regularly review bylaws to make sure they are up to date.
Thank you for sharing your views on the draft Trade Waste Bylaw 2024.
The main changes proposed by the Council include:
- Editorial changes to wording and definitions, to align with other documents and legislation, and reformat to improve readability;
- Amending the purpose of the bylaw to better align with wording under section 146(b) of the Local Government Act;
- Clarifying the definition of trade premises;
- Adding considerations for Council when determining an application for consent;
- Adding a new clause that requires anyone wishing to discharge trade waste to contact Council to determine if a trade waste discharge is permitted, conditional or prohibited;
- Adding a clause to provide for a consent holder receiving a written notice to be given a reasonable time period to comply with any varied consent condition; and
- Adding a clause for requiring a meter as a condition of a consent for the measurement of the rate or quantity of discharge of trade waste.
The submission period closed at 5:00pm on Monday 16 December 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Trade Waste Bylaw regulates how businesses dispose of trade waste into Council’s wastewater system, ensuring it’s done safely and in a way that protects the environment and the wastewater network.
The current bylaw from 2018 is due for review, and Council wants to update it to reflect changes in legislation and improve clarity. The new bylaw will also ensure Council can continue to regulate trade waste properly.
The bylaw applies to any business or trade premises that discharges trade waste into Council's wastewater network. It does not apply to domestic wastewater from households.
Trade waste refers to liquid waste generated from any business or industrial process, which is discharged into Council’s wastewater network. It differs from household wastewater.
Yes, in many cases. Council will assess whether your business requires consent for trade waste discharge. You must contact Council to confirm if a consent is needed.
Council will consider several factors, including your compliance history, other policies or guidelines, alternative disposal methods, and any potential risks to the wastewater network or environment.
If you fail to comply with the bylaw or the conditions of your trade waste consent, you may receive a notice to fix the issue. You will be given a reasonable amount of time to comply. Failure to do so could result in further action from Council.
The 2024 Trade Waste Bylaw will replace the 2018 bylaw once it is adopted by Council after the consultation process. The current bylaw remains in effect until then.