Trade waste means any liquid that is discharged from trade premises (excluding domestic sewage) to a wastewater system in the course of any business, industrial or trade process or operation.
It does not include stormwater or wastewater that goes into the sewer from domestic toilets, kitchens, bathrooms or laundries.
Any business that produces liquid waste larger than domestic quantities may need a trade waste consent.
Trade premises that may need a trade waste consent
The bylaw states that trade premises means:
- any premises used or intended to be used for any industrial or trade purpose
- any premises used or intended to be used for the storage, transfer, treatment, or disposal of waste materials or for other waste management purposes, or used for composting organic materials
- any other premises from which a contaminant is discharged in connection with any industrial or trade process
- any other premises discharging sewage other than domestic sewage and includes any land or premises wholly or mainly used for agricultural or horticultural purposes
- a tanker truck or any other vehicle capable of receiving, storing, transporting or discharging trade waste.
These are examples of businesses. Note this is not a complete list:
- Food processors - meat, fish, vegetables, fruit
- Hospitals
- Dentists
- Metal finishers
- Service stations
- Restaurants, café, bakery
- Freezing works
Refer to the bylaw for more information including permitted and prohibited trade waste.
Application form
All premises discharging trade waste to Council's sewer system will require a trade waste consent.
If you discharge trade waste without holding a consent or exceed your consent conditions you're breaching our Trade Waste Bylaw. If convicted, fines can reach up to $200,000.
Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, talk to our trade waste engineer to discuss your application.
The trade waste bylaw applies to all trade waste discharged from trade premises into Council's wastewater system. The bylaw is to:
- protect people and the environment from potential adverse effects of harmful substances discharged to the public wastewater system
- protect the public wastewater system from damage and provide for its efficient operation
- assist treatment plants within the public wastewater system to process wastewater and produce biosolids of a guaranteed quality
- encourage waste minimisation, cleaner production, efficient recycling and reuse of waste streams at business premises.
- Do scrape all solids off plates before washing them.
- Do service your grease trap on a regular basis.
- Do ensure your grease trap is working efficiently and correctly.
- Don't use large amounts of detergent when washing.
- Don't tip oil and fats into your sink - these can solidify in the sewer lines causing blockages and overflows.