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

2. Introduction
2.1        Preparing for the 1997 Strategic Plan
In 1995 Noosa Council was preparing a new Strategic Plan, a statutory plan under the Local
Government (Planning and Environment) Act 1980. Strategic Plans undertook long term
considerations leading to guidance on land use and other forms of development and were a
component of the Council’s Town Planning Scheme. Key features of a Strategic Plan were maps
showing preferred dominant land uses and written material expressing objectives and
implementation provisions.

As a prelude to preparing the 1997 Strategic Plan Council commissioned a series of planning
studies that collected and analysed bio-physical data. The studies were assisted by a range of
state and local policy inputs. Relevant background to informing the Strategic Plan included:-
           Flood risk
           Vegetation types and values
           Slope and landslip risk
           Bushfire occurrence
           Soil types
           Geology
           Agriculture
           Climate
           Catchments
           Landscape Networks
           Waterways

In the mid 1990’s the population of Noosa Shire was expanding and was passing 30,000. Tourists
added to that number. Concerns about the pace of growth and the apparent inevitability of
development and its impacts on the local environment, were evident in the community and within
Council. This resulted in a close examination of the suitability of land for future development and
the capacity of infrastructure networks.


2.2        Previous Planning Study 1997
A Planning Study On-site Effluent Disposal & Water Quality in Noosa Shire was completed in
February 1997. The project had two aims: –

       1. To assess the suitability of the Shire’s land for on-site disposal of effluent, based on a
          strategic mapping assessment and the maintenance of water quality within the Shire’s
          waterways; and
       2. To develop guidelines for on-site effluent disposal consistent with the findings of the
          mapping assessment.

The study focused on the two principal types of on-site disposal, absorption trenches and domestic
treatment plants. The study also drew upon other investigations of land use, geology/soils,
topography/slope, vegetation and flooding. Three types of guidelines were requested: –

       1. Densities of allotments appropriate to varying land classes
       2. The design and layout of allotments and associated house site areas
       3. Soils testing criteria.

Peter Edmiston of Bio-track undertook the study and a draft of his report was reviewed by several
technical staff of Council. Noosa Council endorsed the project’s findings in March 1997 and the
finalised Planning Study was publicly released.

On-Site Effluent Disposal in Noosa Shire 2016                                                  Page 3