2016-07-12 - Item 14 - Att 1 - Effluent Disposal Planning Study

7. Recommendations for the new Noosa
   Planning Scheme
The preceding chapters have highlighted the current circumstances of on-site effluent disposal
across Noosa Shire. Traditional primary systems involving a septic tank are declining in use when
landowners are considering available options. Most new development is employing secondary
level systems. However concerns have been identified with the operation of secondary systems.
The effects of these failures on the environment are not well understood and this is unsatisfactory.

Policy measures to improve this situation are recommended in Chapter 5 and 6. In addition the
Queensland government is likely to introduce new plumbing legislation in the later part of 2016 that
will bring a stronger enforcement of compliance with the manufacturer’s specifications for
secondary treatment systems.

There are many vacant and under-developed allotments in the unsewered localities of Noosa
Shire. Most of these are intended for a dwelling house with others intended for alternate forms of
development. The recommended policy position in Chapter 5 is to allow for development to
continue where it is in accordance with the intent of the zone under The Noosa Plan. However
greater attention is recommended towards the operation of the approved treatment system.

Recommendations for the new Noosa Planning Scheme

       1. A precautionary approach is applied to proposals for more intensive activities that rely
          on on-site wastewater treatment disposal. The desired outcome in The Noosa Plan to
          avoid significant adverse effects on the natural environment and landscape and
          minimise the risk of hazards for people and property remains current but is not being
          delivered by a significant proportion of installations using secondary treatments.

       2. This Planning Study also supports the continuation of the limited potential for further
          subdivision of rural and rural residential land and for further subdivision of residential
          land in unsewered township localities.




On-Site Effluent Disposal in Noosa Shire 2016                                                  Page 24