This community consultation has now closed.
At its April Ordinary Meeting, Bellingen Shire Council resolved to place the draft Liquid Trade Waste Policy on public exhibition for a period of 28 days. The public exhibition is an opportunity for the community to review and provide feedback on the draft policy before it's final adoption.
About the draft policy
The draft Liquid Trade Waste Policy sets out how Bellingen Shire Council will regulate liquid trade waste discharges to its sewerage system in accordance with the NSW Framework for Regulation of Liquid Trade Waste.The draft document has been developed to ensure the proper control of liquid trade waste and hence protection of public health, worker safety, the environment, and Council’s sewerage system.
The draft policy also promotes waste minimisation, water conservation, water recycling and biosolids reuse.
In addition, the approval, monitoring and enforcement processes for liquid trade wastes discharged to Council’s sewerage system and the levying of commercial sewerage and liquid trade waste fees and charges are described in the draft document.
The procedure for liquid trade waste approval is governed by Chapter 7 of the Local Government Act 1993 (The Act). Under section 68 of the Act, a person or entity wishing to discharge liquid trade waste to the sewerage system must obtain prior approval from Council. Discharge of liquid waste, other than domestic sewage, without prior approval is an offence under section 626 of the Act.
The draft policy is consistent with the Liquid Trade Waste Management Guidelines 2021 developed by the Water Utilities branch of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.
Draft-Liquid-Trade-Waste-Policy-April-2026.pdf(PDF, 1MB)
What is liquid trade waste?
Liquid trade waste is any discharge to a sewerage system other than domestic sewerage, such as wastewater from a handwash basin, shower, bath, toilet, or domestic laundry.
Sewerage systems are generally designed to cater for liquid waste from domestic sources that are essentially of reasonably predictable strength and quality. Council may accept liquid trade waste into its sewerage system as a service to businesses and industry.
Liquid trade wastes may exert greater demands on sewerage systems than domestic sewage and, if uncontrolled, can pose serious problems to public health, worker safety, Council’s sewerage system and the environment.
Have Your Say
The community is invited to review and provide feedback on the draft document before its final adoption. Submit your written submission by completing the short form below, or by emailing or posting your submission directly to Council:
Email: Council@bellingen.nsw.gov.au
Mail: Bellingen Shire Council, PO Box 117, Bellingen NSW 2454
Submissions close at 5:00 PM on 15 May.