Green and Hard Waste Collection

For all information concerning collection of green and hard waste please see the waste management services guide below.

2018 Waste Management Services Calendar (0.6 MiB)
The areas being collected are listed below:

Week 1 – Boomer Bay, Bream Creek, Carlton, Carlton River, Connellys Marsh, Copping, Dodges Ferry, Dunalley, Kellevie, Marion Bay, Primrose Sands

Week 2 – Midway Point, Forcett, Lewisham, Nugent, Orielton, Pawleena, Penna, Sorell, Wattle Hill

All waste must be placed on the nature strip the weekend prior to your scheduled collection week. Council’s contractor will collect your green or hard waste during the scheduled collection week. If your waste is not pre-booked or does not comply with the size limits or material requirements, it will not be collected. If you have any queries regarding waste collection please contact Customer Service on 6269 0000.

You can book your green and hard waste collection using the button bellow or by calling 6269 0000 by no later than 12 noon on the Friday prior to your scheduled collection week. Please note that your booking is only for the next collection date, it is not a permanent booking.

Health and Environment

Council’s Environmental Health Officers are responsible for a wide range of services including; environmental protection, food business regulation, place of assembly such mass gatherings, assessing plumbing & development applications, conducting immunisation clinics, water quality monitoring, fire hazards and animal control.

Food Safety

Council manages the registration of food businesses and issues temporary food registrations for food stalls at public events. To register your food business please contact to Council’s Environmental Health Officers on 6269 0000. Council provides access to a free online and interactive Food Safety Training Program. Anyone involved in food preparation is encouraged to undertake this training. It can be accessed at I’m Alert. Guidelines For Mobile Food Businesses Dec 2015 (0.8 MiB)

Environmental Pollution Information

Noise

Domestic noise can be a significant source of annoyance to your neighbours. Please be considerate of your neighbours when playing music at home and keep the noise to a minimum. Out of hours complaints that require immediate attention, such as loud parties, can be directed to the Tasmanian Police on 131 444. All other enquiries should be referred to Council’s Environmental Health Department, during normal office hours. Formal noise complaints should be made in writing to Council by completing a Feedback / Request Form. Council’s Domestic Noise Brochure below outlines the times of the day that particular equipment/apparatus can be used. Noise Diary Log Form (25 KiB)

Water

Water sampling of the swimming beaches in our municipality occurs regularly over the summer period. Testing from previous years shows that most of our recognised beaches are suitable for swimming. However, we advise people to please avoid swimming after heavy rainfall and to observe signage at the beach access points. Please direct any complaints about recreational water quality to Council’s Environmental Health Officers on 03 6269 0000.

Odour/Air Pollution

Complaints about odours or air pollution should be directed to Council’s Environmental Health Officers on 03 6269 0000. However, if complaints are related to major industries, then please contact the Environment Protection Authority Tasmania on  1800 005 171. Excessive smoke from wood heaters can be a major contributor to air pollution. Smoke can be a nuisance to your neighbours and contains pollutants that are known health hazards. There are products on the market that help make wood heaters burn more efficiently and reduce the amount of pollution emitted. Having your flue swept annually will also ensure your flue is in good working order and free from build-up. Operating your wood heater correctly is the key to clean and efficient heating. For handy tips or more information on how to achieve this visit Environment Protection Authority Tasmania’s website at www.epa.tas.gov.au/epa/improving-wood-heater-use

Litter

Council  Officers can fine people for littering.  Fines can range from $163 for small items such as cigarette butts or $815 for large bags of rubbish. Litter complaints should be made to Council directly by phoning 03 6269 0000.

Wastewater Management

Council advises that residents make it routine practice to ensure their septic tank is pumped out every 3-5 years to prevent blockages and keep it in good working order. However, if absorption trenches are overflowing this suggests a more significant problem and a plumber should be consulted.  Information For Prospective Purchasers Of Land In Areas Outside Of Sewerage Districts (0.2 MiB)
List Of On-Site WasteWater Site & Soil Evaluators And System Designers (0.3 MiB)
Septic Tank Information Booklet Oct 2017 (0.9 MiB)

Rainwater Tanks

Please See Council’s Guidance on use of Rainwater Tanks brochure for simple information to help keep your domestic drinking water supply safe and healthy. Guidance On Use Of Rainwater Tanks Brochure (0.2 MiB)

Ross River Virus

Council’s Environmental Health Officers routinely monitors the mosquito population for Ross River Virus (RRV) over the summer months. The Director of Public Health is responsible for issuing information on how to avoid contracting RRV if there is a high risk of infection over the mosquito season. Please see Council’s fact sheet on Ross River Virus for more information on the disease. Ross River Virus Fact Sheet (0.1 MiB)

Backyard Burning

State legislation bans backyard burning in the open or using an incinerator on blocks less than 2,000 square metres in area. Most residential house lots are between 600m2 and 1200m2 so this restriction affects the majority of households in residential areas such as Midway Point, Sorell, Lewisham, Carlton, Primrose Sands, Dodges Ferry and Dunalley. With fines for breaching this regulation costing $815, households in residential areas are strongly advised to refrain from burning vegetation waste or rubbish and instead, take advantage of Council’s monthly green waste collection service. The legislation does not prevent fire hazard reduction burn-off on large properties but does prohibit the burning of rubbish, plastics and other hazardous substances. Please see Council’s brochure on Backyard Burning for more information on this issue. Backyard Burning Brochure (0.5 MiB)

Fire Abatement

Inspection of properties for fire hazards is undertaken throughout the municipality before the commencement of the fire danger season.  It is the responsibility of property owners to ensure their property remains fire-hazard free. Please ensure your property remains mowed and cleared to avoid the issue of an abatement notice. Where abatement notices are issued and not complied with, a Council contractor will clear your land, the cost of which is usually much higher than a private contractor charges.

Immunisations

At the end of 2016, Council ceased the monthly immunisations clinics. With two medical practices in the Sorell area providing bulk billed child immunisations, Council is confident the needs of parents and children in our community are being met by the high quality care provided at the following practices:

Sorell Family Practice  – 12 Cole Street Sorell (at Sorell Plaza). Phone 6265 2341. https://sorellfamilypractice.com.au/

Sorell Doctors Surgery – 31 Gordon Street Sorell 6265 1595. https://www.sorelldoctorssurgery.com.au/

Please contact Sorell Council on 6269 0000 if you have any questions regarding immunisations.

Dogs

Dog Registration and Control

Dog registration fees are due annually on 1 July and should be paid immediately to avoid the issue of an infringement notice. Residents are advised that it is their responsibility to keep their dogs under control at all times. Substantial fines can be imposed on the owners of dogs that create a nuisance. Council’s Animal Management Officers regularly patrol the Municipality and dogs found at large will be impounded. Please remember these important points:

• Not all dogs are friendly – don’t let your dog rush up to other animals.
• Not all people want to interact with dogs – do not allow your dog to approach people without their consent.
• At all times dogs must be in sight of the owner and responsive to a command.

A copy of the Dog Registration form is available here:  Dog Registration Form 2018-2019 (60 KiB)

Picking up after your dog

Dog faeces is unsightly and unpleasant. It can also cause problems for our community and environment and can pollute the beach and river, and can be a breeding ground for diseases in dogs and humans. Sorell Council provides disposal bins in many areas throughout the Sorell municipal area. Things to remember when walking your dog:

• When exercising your dog always carry a pooper bag to collect your dog’s waste. You can use freezer bags or plastic bags too.
• Dispose of waste responsibly.
• In accordance with the Dog Control Act 2000 you are required to clean up after your dog. If your dog is caught leaving excrement in a public place and it is not removed, you may be issued with an infringement notice and be fined.

Impounded Dogs

The Council’s Pound is located in Sorell and dogs may be reclaimed from the Council Chambers at 3:30pm weekdays. If your dog is impounded you must contact Animal Management staff on 6269 0000 to arrange a time to collect your dog. A release fee and a daily pound fee will need to be paid before your dog can be released. Your dog will also need to be registered before it can be released from the pound if it isn’t already registered. An infringement notice will be issued under the Dog Control Act 2000 under section 16(1) – Failure to ensure a dog is not at large for any impounded dogs captured by Council officers (1 Penalty Unit). All fees must be paid and dogs must be registered before they are released from the Pound. Dog Barking Complaint Form (0.3 MiB)
Dog Management Plan 2017 Final (0.3 MiB)
Sorell Council Municipal Dog Exercise Areas Brochure 2017 (2.8 MiB)