Palmwoods
District News

June 10,
1999

Page 2

Council reduces sewage treatment fee

MAROOCHY Shire Council has endorsed the continuation of an inspection program for household aerobic sewage treatment systems.

This management program requires the active involvement and cooperation of householders and, as an incentive, Council has announced that it will reduce its annual permit fee from $121 to $72.

Mayor Don Culley said "the decision to subsidise this program was made in consideration of the financial impact and the environmental benefits obtained from the use of household aerobic sewage treatment systems, as opposed to septic tank systems."

Property owners who have already paid the $121 will be entitled to a credit of $49 to their property rates and residents who are yet to pay their fee need only pay the lesser amount of $72.

The original fee, which was set in February this year, had been based on the cost recovery of a contract inspection program, which is now under review.

"Council hopes that the adjustment of the annual permit fee and the cost sharing arrangement will encourage householders to properly operate and maintain these specialised sewage treatment systems. Improperly maintained systems can affect our local waterways," said Cr Culley.

There has been increasing concern that on-site sewage management systems have failed with growing evidence suggesting that many of these systems do not satisfy environmental and public health requirements. Consequently, Maroochy Shire Council will continue to monitor and manage the performance of on-site sewage management systems as part of its commitment to and responsibility for the Maroochy environment.

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