4.3.12
On-Site Effluent Disposal Code
PURPOSE OF THE CODE
To ensure that the management of on-site effluent disposal generates no additional adverse impacts on the receiving environment, public health and water quality
and that the sustainable disposal of domestic effluent is achieved.
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA AND ACCEPTABLE/PROBABLE SOLUTIONS
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
The purpose of the Code may be
achieved if the following criteria
are satisfied.
P1
The intensity and scale of
the change of use of
premises must not:

increase any adverse
ecological impacts,
particularly on any
nearby sensitive
receiving
environments, as a
result of the existing
or proposed effluent
disposal system or
increasing the
cumulative effect of
effluent disposal
systems in the
locality;

increase any health
risks during an
effluent disposal
system failure;

deteriorate the water
quality of existing
and/or proposed
water supplies

limit the sustainable
SOLUTIONS
SELF-ASSESSMENT – Acceptable Solutions (illustrate how
compliance with the Performance Criteria is to be achieved)
CODE ASSESSMENT – Probable Solutions (illustrate how
compliance with the Performance Criteria may be achieved)
A1.1
The existing or any proposed effluent disposal system meets
the criteria identified by the On-Site Sewerage Code – July
2002 (Department of Natural Resources and Mines).
Printed on 13 February 2016
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
SOLUTIONS
disposal of domestic
effluent.
P2
The reconfiguration of lots
must allow for the efficient
disposal of effluent in a
manner which:

Minimises any
adverse ecological
impacts, particularly
on any nearby
sensitive receiving
environments;

Limits any health
risks during a system
failure;

Ensures the water
quality of existing
and/or proposed
water supplies
remains unaffected;

Ensures the
sustainable disposal
of domestic effluent.
A2.1
The minimum size of a lot is 2000m2; and
A2.2
The proposed on-site effluent disposal system is capable of
being located on the allotment in accordance with the On-Site
Facilities Guidelines for Vertical and Horizontal Separation June 2002 (Department of Natural Resources and Mines); and
A2. 3
A2. 4
A2. 5
A2. 6
The proposed on-site effluent disposal system is capable of
being located on land that:

Has less than 15% slope OR the land is terraced to
receive the full disposal area;

Is situated above the DFE;

Is above the 5m AHD;

Contains soils with permeabilities greater than 0.05m /
day and less than 3.5m / day;

Is more than 0.6m above the seasonally high water
table;

Is more than 1m above bedrock;
AND
The lot contains an area capable of supporting a land
application area sized in accordance with the On-Site
Sewerage Code – July 2002 (Department of Natural Resources
and Mines); and
A reserve land application area of up to 100% of the design
area is available on the lot; and
The land application area is not separated from the house/
dwelling by features such as gullies, creeks, dams, roads,
driveways etc.
Printed on 13 February 2016
Notes:
Existing subdivisions - Assessment for on-site disposal systems is carried out against the Sewerage and Water Supply Act and the ‘On-Site Sewerage Code – July
2002’ published by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines. These systems will still be required to meet the provisions of the Environmental
Protection Policy (Water) 1997.
Printed on 13 February 2016