Apply to install or alter a septic system

When planning where to locate your domestic onsite wastewater management system (septic system), you should consider:

  • Future use of the land – where an OWMS is located can’t be used in the future for buildings, driveways, etc.
  • The distance of your OWMS to assets and infrastructure i.e. boundaries, buildings, watercourses, dams, stormwater drains, water supply pipes, swimming pools, tennis courts and driveways. These are called setback distances can be found in the EPA Guidelines for Onsite Wastewater Management
  • Where livestock is kept – as they can’t be kept on a wastewater disposal area
  • Distance to nearby trees and native vegetation.

We recommend obtaining the services of an authorised plumber to help you through the application process.

Online

Step 1.Prepare your documentation

Your application must include:

  • Copy of Title (issued within 60 days) and Title Plan
  • Floor plan of the proposed building i.e. dwelling, office
  • Land Capability Assessment (LCA). If a Planning permit is not required for the development, please contact our office to learn if an LCA will be required to support your application
  • Drainer (Plumber) details – the person installing the Onsite Wastewater Management System (OWMS)
  • Plumber details – the person installing internal building fixtures
  • Proposed type of OWMS – Treatment tank and Disposal method
  • Evidence of the OWMS having compliance with relevant Australian Standards AS or AS/NZS 1546 Certificate of conformance – find manufacturers with approval here: register.jasanz.org
  • Locality map - including directions and any other relevant information for the officer needing to access the site
  • Site plan showing entire site and:
    - Location of buildings, driveways, swimming pool
    - Location the Treatment tank
    - Location and measurements of the Disposal method
  • All components of the Disposal method:
    - Trenches/driplines drawn on contour of land, the in-line filter, air release valve, method of managing flush water, such as whether it will return  to the tank or disposal back to land.
    - Setback distances from the Treatment Tank and Disposal Method to nearby assets
  • If applying for a permit to alter an existing OWMS - Specifications and a condition report for the existing OWMS

Step 2.Complete the permit application form 

You can also make payment in the application form.

Step 3.What happens next?

If payment hasn’t been made online, a Customer Service representative will contact the Applicant for payment over the phone.

A Public and Environmental Health Officer will assess your application which includes a conducting a site visit.

Council have 42 business days to assess your application, this timeframe is paused when requests for further information are made.

Email

Step 1.Prepare your documentation

Your application must include:

  • Copy of Title (issued within 60 days) and Title Plan
  • Floor plan of the proposed building i.e. dwelling, office
  • Land Capability Assessment (LCA). If a Planning permit is not required for the development, please contact our office to learn if an LCA will be required to support your application
  • Drainer (Plumber) details – the person installing the Onsite Wastewater Management System (OWMS)
  • Plumber details – the person installing internal building fixtures
  • Proposed type of OWMS – Treatment tank and Disposal method
  • Evidence of the OWMS having compliance with relevant Australian Standards AS or AS/NZS 1546 Certificate of conformance – find manufacturers with approval here: register.jasanz.org
  • Locality map - including directions and any other relevant information for the officer needing to access the site
  • Site plan showing entire site and:
    - Location of buildings, driveways, swimming pool
    - Location the Treatment tank
    - Location and measurements of the Disposal method
  • All components of the Disposal method:
    - Trenches/driplines drawn on contour of land, the in-line filter, air release valve, method of managing flush water, such as whether it will return  to the tank or disposal back to land.
    - Setback distances from the Treatment Tank and Disposal Method to nearby assets
  • If applying for a permit to alter an existing OWMS - Specifications and a condition report for the existing OWMS 

Step 2.Download the application form

Download and complete the application to install or alter a onsite.

Step 3.Submit your application

Fill out the application form and email it to info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.

Step 4.What happens next?

If payment hasn’t been made online, a Customer Service representative will contact the Applicant for payment over the phone.

A Public and Environmental Health Officer will assess your application which includes a conducting a site visit.

Council have 42 business days to assess your application, this timeframe is paused when requests for further information are made.

In person

Step 1.Prepare your documentation

Your application must include:

  • Copy of Title (issued within 60 days) and Title Plan
  • Floor plan of the proposed building i.e. dwelling, office
  • Land Capability Assessment (LCA). If a Planning permit is not required for the development, please contact our office to learn if an LCA will be required to support your application
  • Drainer (Plumber) details – the person installing the Onsite Wastewater Management System (OWMS)
  • Plumber details – the person installing internal building fixtures
  • Proposed type of OWMS – Treatment tank and Disposal method
  • Evidence of the OWMS having compliance with relevant Australian Standards AS or AS/NZS 1546 Certificate of conformance – find manufacturers with approval here: register.jasanz.org
  • Locality map - including directions and any other relevant information for the officer needing to access the site
  • Site plan showing entire site and:
    - Location of buildings, driveways, swimming pool
    - Location the Treatment tank
    - Location and measurements of the Disposal method
  • All components of the Disposal method:
    - Trenches/driplines drawn on contour of land, the in-line filter, air release valve, method of managing flush water, such as whether it will return  to the tank or disposal back to land.
    - Setback distances from the Treatment Tank and Disposal Method to nearby assets
  • If applying for a permit to alter an existing OWMS - Specifications and a condition report for the existing OWMS 

Step 2.Download the application form

Download and complete the application to install or alter an onsite domestic wastewater management system.

Step 3.Submit your application and payment

Visit our Customer Service Counter to submit your application and make payment at: 

Corner Lyttleton and Lloyd Street, Castlemaine
8.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday

Step 4.What happens next?

If payment hasn’t been made online, a Customer Service representative will contact the Applicant for payment over the phone.

A Public and Environmental Health Officer will assess your application which includes a conducting a site visit.

Council have 42 business days to assess your application, this timeframe is paused when requests for further information are made.

If you application is approved, Council will send a Permit to Install/Alter an Onsite Wastewater Management to all parties listed in the application.

Fees

  • Septic Tank installation or major alteration - $821.67
  • Minor alteration - $626.17
  • Amendment to existing permit - $174.48
  • Renew expired permit - $139.69
  • Request for records - $139.69
  • Septic Tank permit transfer(to a new owner) - $166.92

Related permits

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