Environmental Health
Council's Environmental Health Service is staffed by qualified and experienced Environmental Health Officers. Duties include - Food Safety, Public Building Safety, Accommodation, Infectious Diseases, Pest Control, Noise, Environmental Protection, Hairdressers/Tattooists, Water Quality and Domestic Waste Disposal. Should you have any queries in regards to the above matters, please contact the Environmental Health Department at the Shire of Carnarvon on (08)99410033 during 9.00am - 4.30pm weekdays.
Food Safety
EHO's conduct regular inspections of all food premises in the Shire. There are strict laws relating to food hygiene and safety under the Health Act with future changes to incorporate a national legislation, the Australian Food Standards Code. Food transport vehicles are also inspected. The Shire of Carnarvon supports and promotes the FoodSafe Food Handler Training Program.
Public Building Safety
Public buildings are defined as buildings or places where people assemble for a certain event, (entertainment, social, educational, religious etc.) ie. pubs, clubs, sporting facilities, halls etc. Council's Environmental Health Service conducts routine and operational inspections of public buildings to ensure that ventilation, sanitary facilities, emergency escapes, and the maximum number of people attending, and other requirements are in compliance with approved standards. People planning such events should contact the Environmental Health Service to gain appropriate approvals.
Accommodation
EHO's inspect lodging houses, bed and breakfasts and other places of accommodation including caravan parks to ensure the health and safety of occupants. There are also requirements for private houses relating to the maximum number of occupants, ventilation, drainage and weatherproofing.
Infectious Diseases
EHO's investigate all instance of diseases that are classed as 'Notifiable Diseases' under the Health Act. These include Hepatitis, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Legionnaires Disease. All cases are referred to the Health Department of WA after notification by general practitioners.
Pest Control
Residents can assist in controlling the number of rats and mice by keeping their premises free of rubbish,, ensuring that creepers and vegetation is cut back regularly, pet food is not left out at night, bird and animal enclosures are kept clean, food stored in sealed containers and carrying out proper baiting when rats are detected. Further information can be obtained from the EHO's.
Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and can carry diseases such as Ross River Virus. It is an offence under the Health Act to allow mosquitoes to breed on your property. Further information can be obtained from the EHO's.
Noise
Environment Noise is covered by the Environmental Health Act. The Shire's Environmental Health Officers have been authorised to enforce the Noise Legislation. Action can be taken through the Environmental Health Service if you are experiencing noise, which is causing unreasonable disturbance. Further information can be obtained from the EHO's. Noisy parties should be reported to the Police Department on 99411444.
Equipment that requires the presence of an operator (lawn mowers, drills etc.) are permitted to be used (in a reasonable manner) for up to 2 hours per day between 7.00am and 7.00pm on weekdays and 9.00am to 7.00pm on Sundays and public holidays.
Noisy activities on building sites is not permitted before 7.00am on weekdays and 9.00am on Sunday.
Environmental Protection
Complaints concerning pollution or environmental damage should initially be made to the Department of Environment and Conservation, Carnarvon.
Hairdressers & Tattooists
EHO's inspect hairdressers, beauticians and skin penetration premises to ensure that hygiene standards are complied with. Further information can be obtained from the EHO's.
Wastewater and Greywater Disposal Systems
The basic wastewater and greywater disposal system generally consists of septic tanks which treat and refine the waste which is then disposed of within the property through leach drains. Anyone wishing to install a new drain or replace an existing wastewater disposal system is required to obtain approval from Council's Environmental Health Department prior to any works being conducted. Installation of the systems is to be carried out by a Licensed Plumber.
Rubbish Collection & Disposal
Mobile Garbage Bins are provided to all residential properties including flats and units and selected commercial and industrial premises. Requests for alterations to numbers of bins, frequency of collection of rubbish, replacement bins and all complaints must be directed to the Community Development Department.
Bins are to be placed out not more than 1 metre from the road verge (handles of bin facing away from road) before 6.00am on the day of collection. Information on rubbish collections can also be obtained from the Shire. Rubbish will be collected every day inclusive of public holidays.
Rubbish tip hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 5.30pm; Saturday & Sunday 9am to 5.30pm; Public Holidays 9am to 5.30pm;
Stalls
A Stallholders Licence must be obtained prior to conducting a stall in the municipality. Contact the EHO for details.
Keeping of Poultry
Under the Health Local Laws governing the keeping of poultry the occupier of a premises within the town boundaries is not permitted to keep any poultry except under the following conditions:
- Poultry not to exceed 12 in number.
- All poultry to be kept within properly constructed enclosures and facilities at all times.
- No poultry to be kept within 15 metres of any dwelling house.
- All poultry enclosures to be maintained in clean conditions at all times.
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