A NSW Government website
Lord Howe
ISLAND BOARD
NSW Government

Waste water

Managing waste water on a small island

Being a small populated island, Lord Howe Island uses on-site wastewater management systems (OSWMS) to dispose of wastewater from residences, lodges, school, hospital, and commercial buildings. Each OSWMS includes design, sizing, and maintenance recommendations to ensure optimum system operation and the prevention of pollution and disease outbreak.

There are approximately 230 separate systems on the Island. Approximately 160 of these are septic tanks with the balance being secondary treatment on-site systems. To date, the operation and maintenance of these systems has been poorly regulated and monitored. 

Poorly managed OSWMS can contaminate surface and groundwater resources and increase the risk of serious health problems. As Lord Howe Island is an extremely sensitive environment with many systems located in close proximity to water resources, pollution is of particular concern. 

Audits of existing systems indicate that many of the Island’s OSWMS are not appropriate for the Island’s sensitive environment, and few systems disinfect the treated effluent prior to irrigation.

In May 2008, the Lord Howe Island Board (the Board) recognised that septic tank effluent represents a threat to public health and the Island’s World Heritage Values. The Board agreed to have all septic tanks removed or upgraded within five years.

In May 2011, the Board endorsed the development of a wastewater strategy based on on-site sewage management that included effluent performance standards that are to be met by these on-site systems.

Lord Howe Island Wastewater Strategy

Over recent years the LHIB has been reviewing the Island’s wastewater strategy to address groundwater contamination and public health concerns around contact with treated effluent.

In September 2012, the LHIB approved a Wastewater Strategy based around on-site treatment and disposal. All wastewater systems on the Island will be required to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of this Strategy. The Strategy has been revised to keep up with environmental planning and legislation changes.

This On-site Wastewater Management Strategy (the Strategy) provides the framework for the management of OSWMS on Lord Howe Island. The Strategy addresses requirements of the Lord Howe Island Regulation 2004 and the NSW Environment and Health Protection Guidelines 1998 (Guidelines). 

The LHIB has developed some site Design Guidelines and a calculation tool to assist leaseholders with planning new or upgrades to existing systems.

Download the Wastewater Strategy and guidelines

New or upgrading your wastewater system?

There are several considerations when seeking to install a new or upgraded wastewater systems on LHI. The installation or upgrade of a wastewater system on LHI must comply with the requirements of the LEP. The LEP describes the legal framework in which development on LHI can be assessed and approved. 

There are two current planning pathways that enable the commencement of construction of a wastewater system:

  1. Exempt Development in accordance with Clause 9 of the LHI LEP 2010. 
    Wastewater management systems are permitted without consent in specific circumstances including:
    a)    Must be installed on land within Zone 2 Settlement.
    b)    Must be used for domestic purposes and less than 2,000l/day.
    c)    Must not be located on land identified as “Significant Native Vegetation” on Map Sheet 3 of the LEP (including irrigation area).
    d)    Must comply with the design, construction and installation requirements of the Lord Howe Island On-Site Wastewater Management Strategy developed by the Board.
    e)    Treatment and disposal devices must not be located in a flood hazard area (as identified on the map marked “Flood Hazard Map” deposited in the office of the Board)

  2. Development Application made to the LHIB. 
    Where the proposed wastewater management system cannot comply with the requirements of Exempt Development, a Development Application will be required to be submitted. 

    If you are unsure which planning pathway suits you, please contact the LHIB.

Why is a DA required?

The DA is required so that the Board can assess the impacts of the proposal and ensure that it: 

  • complies with the provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
  • complies with the provisions of the Lord Howe Island LEP 2010 (LEP) and any other relevant planning controls for the site.
  • is a permissible and appropriate use of the site according to its zoning.
  • has no detrimental environmental impacts upon the locality.
  • has no adverse impact upon adjacent and neighbouring properties.

For further information on the DA process please visit the DA webpage.

What must be included in a wastewater Development Application? 

To enable an assessment of a wastewater management system, the following documentation will be required to be submitted with all applications:

  • Statement of Environmental Effects Form. This statement must include a detailed description of the current and future systems proposed, preferably with a dot point summary. 
  • Onsite Wastewater Management System Checklist (PDF)(209.44 KB) including all documentation required by the checklist.
  • A scaled Site Plan (preferably by a registered surveyor) detailing the existing built and natural site features and structures with all proposed works (including wastewater piping routes and irrigation areas) nominated and described. This shall include (but not limited to):
    • the site boundaries, 
    • dimensions and site areas, 
    • road frontages, 
    • established vegetation outlines and mapped significant native vegetation (SNV) areas, 
    • specific nomination/ delineation of works within these mapped SNV areas, 
    • Drainage lines and features including wells,
    • setbacks of proposed work (and nearby existing structures) to boundaries, 
    • existing pedestrian and vehicular access paths etc.”
  • Plans and specifications of the proposed works.
  • Detailed Calculations of the size of the system and the required irrigation areas. This is to be provided both in a report format with the LHI Wastewater Calculations Spreadsheet attached in both excel and pdf formats. It is the responsibility of the applicant to undertake these calculations. It is recommended that applicants seek professional advice to complete the required documentation. 
  • Preliminary Construction Management Plan. For difficult sites or where the system being replaced is within SNV, a preliminary construction management plan will be required to demonstrate there will be no adverse impact on the SNV.
  • Owners Consent Application Form.

The onus is on the applicant to demonstrate the application is consistent with the LHIB plans, policies, and guidelines. Lodgement of incomplete applications or applications not containing the correct information will be returned to the applicant without assessment. 

It is recommended that a Pre-Development Application meeting be held for all applications. This can also be an opportunity for applicants to ask questions to reduce the possibility of delays during the assessment process. 

Forms and links