During September, the City of Ballarat invited feedback on the draft Onsite Wastewater Management Plan 2025-2029. We heard from over 200 community members, most of whom currently own or live on a property with a septic (onsite wastewater) system.

Feedback was received from industry key stakeholders including Central Highlands Water, Catchment Management Authorities, plumbers and relevant City of Ballarat business units.

Input reflected a strong level of lived experience and practical knowledge about managing septic systems in Ballarat.

What we heard

Overall, community feedback indicated a level of support for the aim of the plan, with many residents emphasising the importance of practical education and resources to support property owners. Respondents did express concerns of being burdened with additional costs or regulatory requirements, preferring a focus on guidance and self-management over compliance-driven approaches.

Key themes included:

• Strong understanding of how septic systems work, but lower awareness of Council’s Onsite Wastewater Management Plan
• A preference for education, clear information and guidance to support owners to manage their systems, rather than increased regulation
• Concerns about additional costs or fees being imposed with a preference for affordable and accessible support
• Recognition that poorly maintained systems can cause impacts such as odour, waterway pollution and environmental harm

Stakeholders broadly supported the proposed risk-based framework, particularly targeting high-risk systems in special water supply catchments (swsc) and known historical clusters in the declared sewer district (dsd), alongside improved communication.

What’s next

Community feedback, along with stakeholder input, helped inform the final Onsite Wastewater Management Plan 2025 - 2029.

The Plan was adopted by Council at the November Council Meeting.

Implementation will focus on:

• A risk-based inspection and monitoring program in special water supply catchments and the historic clusters in the declared sewer district
• Improved education and access to information to help owners understand their responsibilities to reduce system failure
• Using existing resources to implement the plan, noting that no new levy or fee will be introduced to fund the Plan.

City of Ballarat thanks everyone who took the time to share their feedback and help shape a balanced, practical approach to managing onsite wastewater systems in Ballarat.

If you would like to read the full Community Engagement Summary Report, click here.

The draft Onsite Wastewater Management Plan 2025-2029 aims to identify the public health and environmental risks associated with onsite wastewater management systems, also known as septic tank systems. It sets out the monitoring and compliance strategies used to minimise those risks.

Under Victorian legislation, all Councils with onsite wastewater management systems (septic tank systems), in their municipality must develop and implement a management plan. There are more than 3,000 properties within the Council area who have an onsite wastewater systems used to collect, treat and dispose of the wastewater from their home within their property boundaries.

The success of the Onsite Wastewater Management Plan relies on Council, the community, industry and stakeholders to work together to shape effective and sustainable wastewater management solutions.

Your feedback will help us to improve our resources for those with septic tank systems, identify environmental, human health and amenity concerns to prioritise activities for the management of non-sewered systems.

You can share your feedback by:

The draft Onsite Wastewater Management Plan explains how Council works with the community and other partners to reduce risks from septic systems. It supports appropriate system installation and management to help protect human health and the environment.

The Plan contains five strategies focusing on areas with higher risks, ensuring the Plan aligns with legal requirements. A copy of the draft Plan is included in the Document Library, or you can learn more about each strategy below.