Help Shape Our Plan

Council is developing a new Onsite Wastewater Management Plan (OWMP) to address public and environmental health risks from septic system wastewater and outline risk management strategies. Proper installation, maintenance, and management of these systems is essential to protect human health and the environment.

Under the Environment Protection Act 2017, Council is responsible for regulating onsite wastewater systems in unsewered areas, including assessing permits and ensuring systems are well-maintained.

If you own or rent a property with an onsite wastewater system, you are legally responsible for ensuring it is operated and maintained to prevent risks to human health and the environment.

We’re seeking community input to ensure the plan reflects local needs, challenges, and opportunities. Whether you're a resident with a septic tank, a plumber, landholder, or simply interested in protecting water quality, your feedback is valuable.

Why we want your input:

  • You may have a septic system or live near one.
  • You might have noticed issues with wastewater on your property or in your neighbourhood.
  • You care about protecting water, land, and community health.

What the plan will do:

  • Assess risks to health and the environment from onsite systems.
  • Outline actions to improve management of these systems.
  • Consider impacts on sensitive areas, such as special water supply catchments.

Stage 2 consultation - New Draft Plan

Informed by internal reviews, stakeholder feedback and community consultation, the new Draft OWMP comprises the Draft Technical Document and the Draft Operational Document.

Feedback is now be invited on these documents, whether that be from the general public, or from the 8,500-or-so properties across the Macedon Ranges registered as having their own onsite wastewater systems.

You can view the draft documents below, and complete a brief survey below - submissions are invited from 1-28 September 2025.

Stage 1 consultation - General survey

This initial stage of consultation has now closed - it ran from 12 - 30 May 2025. Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback. Further consultation on the draft Plan is now live in the next tab.