Arrawarra Mullaway Sewerage Scheme
Update on the Arrawarra Mullaway Sewerage Scheme
Linking households in Arrawarra/Mullaway to the citywide sewerage system
Landholders in the area north of Connor Close, Arrawarra Headland have been notified that as of 1 March 2007 they will be able to connect their homes to the main City sewerage system. Landholders in this area are required to have their connections to the sewerage system completed by March 2008.
Landowners in the area south of Connor Close, Arrawarra Headland were notified in May 2006 that they can connect to the new sewer system. Landholders in this area are required to connect to the new sewerage system by June 2007.
Information for Landholders
Who does the connection?
A licensed plumber or drainer must carry out the connection of the household drainage to the main sewerage system. This plumber/drainer is to be engaged by the house owner.
The plumber/drainer will be able to organise the application, approvals, construction work, existing tank decommissioning, existing plumbing compliance work and the inspections.
Please ensure that your plumber is aware of the specifications for the connection, as sewer connections in Arrawarra differ from those in other parts of the City. Information on these specifications can be sought from Council's Inspection Officer at the contact listed below.
In connecting your property to the public sewer system you are responsible for ensuring that the household sanitary drainage complies with the Australian Plumbing and Drainage Standard AS3500. Compliance with this Australian Standard will help to safeguard the integrity of your property, the environment and the public sewerage system. All plumbers have been advised that this is necessary; however, to date not all household drainage is being brought to this standard during the connection of the sewer.
When acquiring quotations for the connection, please ensure that the plumber has included any work that is necessary for the sanitary drainage to comply with AS3500. In the event that the drainage does not comply, Council will not approve the connection, and not allow reticulated sewerage services to the property. Council's Inspection Officer will advise the landholder that the work has been approved, and it is advised that payment to the plumber should be made after approval.
It should be noted that if the landholder has already finalised their plumber's account and the works have not gained Council approval, the landholder may incur further costs to rectify works and meet the compliance process.
| Connection Fee | $ 93.00 ($120 Dual Occupancy) |
| Inspection Fee | $ 72.00 |
| Building Plan Fee (if required) | $ 28.00 |
| Total | $193.00 |
Connection costs undertaken by your plumber are dependent on the work involved. Quotations should be sought for the work.
The existing septic tanks will need to be pumped out and decommissioned. Your plumber/drainer will provide this cost in their quotation.
Can I re-use my existing tank for rainwater storage?
Yes, Council has a policy that allows decommissioned septic and grey water tanks to be reused for rainwater storage for garden irrigation. Plumber/drainers who attended Council's 2005 workshop on sewer connections, have been advised as to the required procedures for this work. Other plumbers/drainers may obtain this advice from Council's Customer Services Section.
Your plumber/drainer will be able to assess the suitability of the tanks for reuse. Tanks will need to be evaluated for their water holding capacity, and as to whether their size provides any benefit for reuse.
Once the decision to reuse the tank is made, the following steps must be undertaken:
- the tank needs to be properly cleaned and disinfected,
- any necessary rehabilitation work must be undertaken,
- pipes must be plumbed from the roof to the tank,
- overflow from the tank must be plumbed to an approved stormwater discharge,
- and if necessary, a pump must be installed and connected for irrigation.
The reuse work should be carried out, and certification of the work should be made by the plumber/drainer to the Council, within 60 days of the tank's decommissioning.
How will the sewer rates be charged?
Under the provisions of the Local Government Act the liability for a sewerage charge is based on the availability of a sewerage service, not necessarily the connection to that service. Therefore property owners should be aware that the sewer charge will apply from either 1 July 2006 or 1 April 2007 because the service is available, even though they may not actually be connected until some time after that date.
A landholder not connected to the sewer will have to pay both the sewer rate and the pump-out effluent charges. Ratepayers will receive a pro rata refund on effluent service charges, based on when their property is connected.
Council's current sewerage rate for residential properties (given notice from 1 March 2007) will be $589.00 per dwelling/occupation and a pro rata amount will be charged for the period from 1 April 2007 to 30 June 2008. This rate is reviewed annually. Business properties will be charged on the basis of the property land value until 30 June 2007, and then based on Council Sewer Pricing Policy after that date. Details of this policy will be available at a later date.
What if I can't afford the connection?
Coffs Harbour City Council requires that landholders connect to the main sewer system either by June 2007 or March 2008 depending on when their connection notification commenced. For anyone experiencing financial difficulty in fulfilling this obligation, the Council is prepared to consider being a 'lender of last resort'.
If you wish to apply for a Council loan, please contact Terry Shorten, Assistant Finance Manager on 6648 4241 for application details.
Darkum Creek Cycleway
The Darkum Creek Cyclebridge was officially opened on 15 March 2006 by the Mayor of Coffs Harbour, Cr Keith Rhoades, and the Parliamentary Secretary for the NSW Minister for Planning, Bryce Gaudry. Children from the local primary school, residents and members of the Bicycle Users Group marked the opening by a group ride across the bridge using the new one kilometer section of cycle pathway to Panorama Parade in Safety Beach.
More Information
For further information, contact Council on (02) 6648 4403.
Coffs Harbour's Mayor, the NSW Parliamentary |
Council staff, residents, school children and |
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