MORE SEPTIC PROBLEMS HEADED OUR WAY FROM PROPOSED STATE GOVERNMENT NEW LEGISLATION
More septic plumbing issues are headed for the islands if new Queensland Government proposed regulations become law.
Many island homes over the past 10 years have installed the AES septic system.
It has been a system of choice for many because it has no moving parts, and is basically a modern version of septic systems that have been used throughout Australia for generations.
It is also a ‘common sense’ system that is friendly to the environment and does not require a large on-going ‘maintenance fee’ for systems that have electrical pumping systems attached.
Randall Crisp of the AES System based on the Sunshine Coast, says the impact of the proposed legislated changes will be ‘enormous’.
In a letter to the Queensland Premier, the Hon Anastasia Palaszczuk, Randall Crisp states: “The Queensland Department of Public Works recently issued a discussion paper calling for comment on a proposal to enforce a minimum size wastewater system for homes in Queensland 1,200 litres per day.
“If this position is enforced, based upon Australia Standard AS/NZS 1547:2012 :-
A family building or a one bedroom granny flat that produces 300 ltrs of sewage per day will be forced to install a 1200 Ltrs per day sewerage system.
A family building a two bedroom home producing 450 Ltrs per day to install a 1200 ltr per day sewage system.
A family building a three bedroom home producing 750 Ltrs per day to install a 1200 ltr per day sewerage system.
A 1200 ltr per day system in AS/NZS:1547 is the size required for a six bedroom house.
85% of homes are four bedroom's or less.
The average Australian family at the last census consisted of 2.6 people. How many families have a six bedroom home?
“It will effectively price passive secondary sewage systems that have been installed in over 4500 homes throughout Queensland over the past 12 years, each one saving over $1200 in power, servicing and repairs and costs every year. out of the market.
“It will entrench mechanical and chemical Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems (AWTS) as the only choice they have if required to provide secondary quality effluent for health and environmental considerations.
“We feel it is unacceptable that the government would choose to force consumers to pay a penalty for larger product that is not required if they wish to reduce their cost of living pressures. You shouldn’t have to buy a product you don’t need,” Randall Crisp said.
Currently an averages AES system on our islands requires 4 pipes per installation covering 6 metres x 1.35 metres. Under the new regulations, 14 pipes would be required covering 21.6 x 1.35 metres, having a considerable impact on home design size and land area required.
More than 1000 AES systems have been installed on our islands. The decisions currently being made, will have no impact on those installations.
Since the Government move was announced councils all over Queensland are advising they cannot find’ the discussion paper as The Department of Energy and Public works have not made it available on the Department’s web site.
Randall Crisp believes that consumers should be asked what they think about issues that will directly impact cost of living, and should be given the opportunity to express their opinion to Eleanor Ketter, A/Manager, Building Policy at Eleanor.Ketter@epw.qld.gov.au.
Ironically, comments were rushed to be due by Friday, 11 November, but Randall Crisp says still make as many complaints as possible to the site and to your local State Members of Parliament.