public and environmental health management plan 2010-2015 · this public and environmental health...

Whyalla City Council

Public and Environmental Health Management Plan

2010-2015

Protecting and Advancing the Health and Wellbeing of those who Live in the Whyalla Community

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Contents

1 Summary

2 Introduction • Aims of the Plan • Benefits of a Plan • Introduction to Environmental Health • Responsibilities for Environmental Health • Environmental Health in the Whyalla City Council

- Community Profile - Environmental Health’s Responsibilities - The Environmental Health Team 3 Environmental Health Management • Food Safety • Immunisation • Notifiable Disease Control and Investigation • Housing Conditions and Amenity • Manufactured Water Systems • Public Health Pest Control • Hairdressing and Skin Penetration Activities • Water Quality • Waste Control Systems • Built Environment • Health Promotion

4 Reviewing the Public and Environmental Health Management Plan

5 References

6 Glossary

7 Appendixes

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1 Summary

This Public and Environmental Health Management Plan sets out the Whyalla City Council’s Environmental Health Objectives for the next 5 years . This current plan will replace the previous Public and Environmental Health Management Plan endorsed by Council in September 1999 and has been updated to include new challenges faced by Environmental Health Officers in their role of promoting high standards of public health. The plan will allow Whyalla City Council to respond effectively to new challenges and to be involved in innovative measures to advance the health of the community. The new Plan addresses:

• Council’s statutory responsibilities in relation to Environmental Health; • Environmental Health issues of importance to the community; • Relevant Goals in Whyalla’s Vision Towards 2022 ‘A Strategic Vision Document for Whyalla; and • Relevant Commonwealth and State Government Policy This Plan is an important component of Council’s Health Department and provides strategic guidance under the following functional areas:

• Food Safety • Immunisation • Notifiable Disease Control • Housing Conditions and Amenity • Manufactured Water Systems • Public Health Pest Control • Hairdressing and Skin Penetration Activities • Water Quality • Waste Control Systems • Built Environment • Health Promotion The Plan is designed to be reworked every 5 years to ensure it remains dynamic and relevant to the communities changing needs. The objectives and actions recommended in this plan take into account the current level of resources available to the Whyalla City Council Health Department.

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2 Introduction Aims of the Plan

This Public and Environmental Health Management Plan sets the Whyalla City Council’s Environmental Health objectives for the next 5 years. The main purpose of the Plan is to adopt a proactive, strategic approach to managing Environmental Health issues within the Council area. The plan also aims to leave room for innovation and forward thinking. The implementation of this Public and Environmental Health Management Plan will be important for achieving Council’s vision to be a vibrant, growing city offering people a diverse range of sustainable economic, environmental and community opportunities. Benefits of a Plan A Public and Environmental Health Management Plan can be used to assist Council to:

1. Improve health of the community in the long term by: • Identifying and assessing local public and environmental health concerns

and setting priorities. • Developing a strategic plan with clear goals and targets and with appropri-

ate programs and strategies to prevent or minimise health concerns.

2. Use resources more effectively by: • Reviewing current practices. • Avoiding duplication.

3. Coordinate public and environmental health planning and service delivery at Local Government level and/or regional level.

4. Encourage community involvement and respond to community concerns.

The plan helps to assist and encourage a holistic approach towards public and environmental health allowing Council to achieve a broader more proactive approach in line with new public health concepts and the Public and Environmental Health Act 1987.

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Introduction to Environmental Health Traditionally public and environmental health at Local Government level had focused on disease prevention, through improvement in hygiene, vermin control, over crowding, sewerage services and clean water. The World Health Organisation has long recognised that there are not only physical elements to health, there are also social and mental aspects. They define health as ‘a state of complete physical, social and mental wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.’ Environmental Health sits within the broader scope of public health and is essentially the act of assessing, correcting, controlling and preventing factors in the environment, both natural and built, that can potentially adversely affect the health of both present and future generations. With this approach in mind, Local Government has begun to take a more proactive, strategic approach to public and environmental health. Through initiating good public health policies and adopting a broader understanding of primary health concepts, Whyalla City Council is in a position to take on a holistic, integrated approach to health. Responsibilities for Environmental Health Environmental Health is a broad discipline incorporating a broad range of activities from developing health regulations and standards and managing physical, biological and chemical hazards of health as well as addressing indigenous health issues. The South Australian Department of Health (SA Health) is the primary State Government Department responsible for coordinating environmental health policy, key projects and legislation for South Australia. At a local level, council’s have statutory responsibilities for promoting proper standards of Environmental Health within their area through the administration of legislation, provision of Environmental Health services and community education. Key legislation administered to promote proper standards of environmental health at the local level includes the Public and Environmental Health Act 1987, the Food Act 2001, the Supported Residential Facilities Act 1992 and the Local Government Act 1999.

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The Department works with a range of stakeholders to address environmental health issues in the Whyalla City Council. Key government and agency stakeholder are listed below:

Functional Area Key Stakeholders

All (as required) National Environmental Health Council Australian Institute of Environmental Health Australian Local Government Association SA Health South Australian Environmental Protection Authority

Food Safety Food Standards Australia Council

Immunisation Child and Youth Health

Notifiable Disease Control SA Health

Housing Conditions and Amenity Department for Families and Communities

Manufactured Water Systems SA Health

Public Health Pest Control SA Health

Hairdressing and Skin Penetration Activities

SA Health

Water Quality Environmental Protection Authority

Waste Control Systems SA Health South Australian Environmental Protection Authority

Built Environment South Australian Environmental Protection Authority

Waste Management Zero Waste SA Environmental Protection Authority

Health Promotion SA Health

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Environmental Health in the Whyalla City Council Community Profile Whyalla is situated 369km northwest of South Australia’s capital, Adelaide and is currently the third largest city in South Australia after Adelaide and Mt Gambier. The area is bounded by the Middleback Ranges to the west and Spencer Gulf to the east. Whyalla was founded in 1901 as the town of Hummock Hill and was renamed Whyalla in 1914. It was established as a port to ship iron ore extracted from the nearby Middleback Ranges. The local government area covers 1032.5km2; however, most residents live within the city that covers 41.5km2. As at 30 June 2008, the population of Whyalla was recorded at approximately 22801. According to the 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census the median age of the residents of Whyalla is 37, slightly younger than metropolitan Adelaide. Information from the 2006 census also indicates that 55.3% of residents own or are purchasing their own home, compared to 64.8% nationally.

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Environmental Health in the Whyalla City Council Complaints The Environmental Health Team receive complaints from the community surrounding a number of varying issues. Some of these issues include: Insanitary conditions, offensive emissions, air quality, noise pollution, nuisance animals, food related. Notifiable Diseases The figure below show total numbers of notifiable diseases that were reported to the South Australian Communicable Disease Control Branch from 1 July 2007—30 June 2008 and the 1 July 2008—30 June 2009. Both reporting periods showed a high number of Campylobacter cases. Varicella virus and Salmonella numbers remained consistent over the two reporting periods. In the 2008/2009 reporting period there was an increase in the prevalence of Pertussis and Rotavirus. This information allows the Environmental Health Team to provide information to the community on those diseases that are of high prevalence in the region and target health promotion initiatives around these areas.

Notifiable Disease Summaries 07/08 & 08/09

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Environmental Health in the Whyalla City Council Immunisation Status On the following page is a table of the percentage of children full immunised in each area listed. A child is defined as fully immunised if that child has received the full course of immunisation as set out in the NHMRC schedule appropriate to their age. The schedule includes immunisations against: • Hepatitis B—a virus that can cause inflammation of the liver. • Diphtheria— a contagious potentially life threatening bacterial infection of the

upper respiratory tract. • Tetanus (commonly known as lockjaw) - a disease of the nervous system com-

monly characterised by a prolonged contraction of the skeletal muscle fibres. • Pertussis (commonly known as Whooping Cough) - a disease caused by infection

of the throat with bacteria. • Haemophilus Influenzae type b (HIB) - before the widespread use of Hib vac-

cine, Haemophilus Influenzae type b was the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in young children.

• Poliomyelitis (commonly known as Polio) - an acute viral infection that often

leads to paralysis. • Pneumococcal Infections—infections caused by bacterium Streptococcus pneu-

moniae commonly found in respiratory tract. • Rotavirus—an infection of the bowel and which is the common cause of severe

diarrhoea in infants and children. • Measles—a highly contagious respiratory infection that causes total body skin

rash and flu-like symptoms. • Mumps—a highly contagious viral infection that affects the glands that make

saliva which can swell and become painful. • Rubella (commonly known as German Measles) - primarily infects the skin and

lymph nodes. • Meningococcal C—a potentially life threatening infection caused by bacteria

that live at the back of the throat or in the nose.

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Table 1 - Immunisation Coverage Rates for Whyalla, Port Augusta, Mount Gambier & South Australia as at 30 June 2009.

These statistics were obtained from the Medicare Australia— Australian Childhood Immunisation Register and were correct as at 30 June 2009. The immunisation rates of Port Augusta, Mount Gambier and State have been included for comparison. As the results in this table illustrate the rate of childhood immunisation in children aged 12—<15 months (age calculated as at 31 March 2009) in Whyalla is higher than both Port Augusta and Mount Gambier and slightly lower than the State. The rate of childhood immunisation in children aged 24—<27 months (age calculated as at 31 March 2009) in Whyalla is higher than Port Augusta, Mount Gambier and the State.

12—< 15 Months 24 -< 27 Months

Whyalla 90.91 95.77

Port Augusta 83.33 90.38

Mount Gambier 89.47 92.47

Immunisation Coverage Rate (%)

South Australia 91.5 93.2

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Environmental Health Responsibilities Council’s Environmental Health Team is responsible for delivering Environmental Health Services to the Whyalla City Council community and addressing Council’s statutory responsibilities for Environmental Health, this includes: • Regulating the safe manufacture and sale of food in the Council area. • Implementing an immunisation program with local schools and for the community. • Ensuring that public swimming pools, spas, hairdressers and skin penetration activities meet health and hygiene standards. • Ensuring the provision of a sanitary environment. • Educating the community on various health, sanitation and environmental issues.

The Environmental Health Team undertakes numerous other activities outlined in various sections of this Plan and works in collaboration with other Council sections such as Planning, Legislation Compliance, Community Services, Building and Infrastructure to address a range of environmental health issues.

The Environmental Health Team The Environmental Health Team is part of Council’s Infrastructure Services and consists of two fulltime qualified Environmental Health Officers, an administrative support officer who also coordinates Council’s immunisation programs and two casual nurses. The structure of the unit is shown below.

Council’s CEO

Group Manager Infrastructure

Environmental Health Officers

Health Support Officer

Immunisation Nurses

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3 Environmental Health Management Environmental Health Management in the City of Whyalla is conducted in line with Council's Community Plan mission statement and vision for the city. Our Mission

To improve the total quality of life in Whyalla. Our Vision

To be a vibrant, growing city offering people a diverse range of sustainable economic, environmental and community opportunities. Our community is to have access to quality services and facilities, capitalising on, whilst also protecting, our attractive coastal and outback landscape. Our city is to be home to an energetic, harmonious, integrated community, actively involved in shaping Whyalla for current and future generations. To help achieve Council's vision for the City the Environmental Health Team has set the following goal: • To protect and advance the health and wellbeing of those who live in the

Whyalla community.

This is to be achieved by striving to meet the following broad objectives: • To identify and reduce factors in the environment which adversely impact on

the health of the community. • To provide adequate services to ensure maximum health and wellbeing of the

community. • To promote and maintain a proper standard of public health and safety.

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The pages following this will detail the environmental health functions provided by Council’s Environmental Health Team to give the context for the objectives and actions proposed. The following is detailed for all recommended actions: • Performance measures Performance measures are given against which to determine the successful implementation of actions (such as maximum acceptable response times). • Action Timeframes Most of the actions are ‘ongoing’ functions within the Department. Some actions need to be implemented during certain times of the year (eg. Inspections of swimming pools and spa pools during summer). Recommended ’new’ projects and initiatives have a recommended implementation year. • Resource Implications

The resource implications of recommended actions have been categorised into the following categories: A) Resource Allocated—these actions are considered feasible for implementation within the Departments level of resources such as:

• Current staffing • Environmental health budget

B) Monitor and Report Resource Implications—some actions recommended require resource implications to be monitored and reported to Council. For example, updates to environmental health legislation, guidelines and Codes of Practice may impact on Council resources required to effectively meet its statutory responsibilities. C) Additional Resource Needed—few recommended actions are outside the scope of current resources. Resource requirements for such actions would need to be reported to Council. Where possible, Council could investigate external funding grants and/or support for such actions.

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Food Safety Objectives: • Ensure the observation of a high standard of food hygiene practices in relation

to the manufacture, distribution, storage and handling of food across all food businesses in the Council area.

• Pro-actively monitor food legislation reform and the implications changes may have to Council and local food businesses.

• Raise awareness of food safety to priority groups in the community in collaboration with other relevant community groups.

Regulating the provision of safe food is critical when it is estimated that approximately 5.4 million cases of foodborne disease occur each year in Australia. Some of the common foodborne diseases/illnesses are listed below: • Campylobacter • Salmonellosis • E. Coli • Staphylococcal • Clostridial • Botulism Food Safety regulation is undertaken in line with SA Health’s Strategic Plan, Strategic Direction 3: Protecting the Health of the Public, Key Objective 3.3—Ensure safety and suitability of the food supply. The Food Act 2001 is the legislation that helps to govern food safety regulation in South Australia. The Whyalla City Council is an ‘Enforcement Agency’ under the Food Act 2001 and is therefore responsible for enforcing the Act’s requirements across all food businesses in the Council area. Ensuring food safety requirements and standards are met not only requires ongoing food premises inspections but also a pro-active educational approach by Council’s Environmental Health Officers. Food premises inspections are conducted using the ‘Australian Food Safety Assessment System’ and checklist to ensure food businesses are meeting all requirements set out in the Food Act 2001 and the Food Safety Standards. As part of the pro-active educational approach to food safety regulation, the State Government has introduced ‘Food Safety Programs’ into the high risk food industry sector. These programs are independently auditored. High risk sectors identified for the mandating of food safety programs for vulnerable populations, include the childcare sector, hospitals and the aged care sector.

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Management Objectives and Actions—Food Safety Objective 1—Ensure the observation of a high standard of food hygiene practices in relation to the manufacture, distribution, storage and handling of food across all food businesses in the Council area.

Actions Performance Measure/s

Timeframe Resource Implication

1. Undertake food premises assessments in a uniform manner, in accordance with the AFSA ‘Food Safety Assessment Form’

Compliance with assessment recommendations

Ongoing A—Resource allocated

2. Investigate food safety related complaints in a systematic manner and ensure timely action in relation to the complaint in accordance with legislation. If necessary obtain and send food samples for analysis.

Investigation commenced within 24 hours of notification


3. Provide education for food prem-ises on food safety issues through mulit-media options including monthly factsheets, public displays, radio interviews and during assess-ments. Continually review material developed through FSANZ, SA Health and EHA that can be used for education.

Educational information distributed to all food premises based on assess-ment findings

Ongoing A—Resource allocated (some educational and promotional materials and information pro-vided through external agen-cies)

4. Maintain a up to date register of all food premises in the Whyalla City Council area.

Update the Food Register using appropriate information technology within 24 hours of assessment.


5. Investigate cases of reported food poisoning upon request from CDCB

Number of cases investigated


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Management Objectives and Actions—Food Safety Objective 2— Pro-actively monitor food legislation reform and the implications changes may have to Council and local food businesses.

Objective 3—Raise awareness of food safety to priority groups in the community in collaboration with other relevant agencies.


Timeframe Resource Implications

1. Read through minutes from EHO ‘Food Safety’ Special Interest Group (SIG) to ob-tain the latest information on food safety reforms

Download minutes from EHA website


2. Provide information to Council on food safety reforms

Information provided to Council during meetings


3. Address Council’s mandatory obligations under food legislation reforms

Conform with Council's statutory responsibilities

Ongoing B—Monitor and report resource requirements

Actions Performance Measures

Timeframe Resource Implication

1. Provide targeted educational material to priority community groups and Whyalla City Council residents on food handling practices, standards and legis-lative requirements. Use mate-rials provided by/through AFSA, FSANZ, SA Health and EHA

Educational material/information distrib-uted to all food premises based on AFSA assessment findings.

Ongoing A—Resource allocated (some educational ma-terial may be provided through exter-nal agencies)

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Immunisation Objectives: • Improve access for pre-school children to immunisation through the provision

of a community immunisation program. • Improve access for primary and secondary school students to immunisation

through the provision of a school immunisation program. • Ensure high quality and safety standards are met in the delivery of immunisation services. • Ensure accurate and up-to-date immunisation records are kept with Council’s

database.

Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting children and adults against harmful diseases; it not only protects individuals, but also others in the community, by reducing the spread of disease. Diseases such as whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatisitis B, meningococcal C, chicken pox and human papillomavirus are preventable through immunisation. The ‘National Immunisation Program’ booklet details the full range of immunisation recommended for Australians. Immunisation programs and initiatives are undertaken in line with SA Health’s Strategic Plan, Strategic Direction 4—Preventing communicable and other acute and chronic disease, Key Objective 4.1—Reduce morbidity and mortality associated with vaccine preventable disease and control and eliminate these diseases. A comprehensive school based program currently exists within 4 secondary schools within the Whyalla City Council area. This program provides vaccinations that protect against Hepatitis B, Varicella virus, DTPa (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis) and HPV (human papillomavirus) for specific age groups. School programs are conducted 3 times a year and are undertaken in schools throughout the Council area at the direction of the SA Health. Whyalla City Council also provides vaccinations to pre-school aged children in accordance with the National Immunisation Program Schedule at monthly immunisation clinics. Whyalla City Council has two casual nurses on staff who administer the vaccinations for both the community and school programs.

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Management Objectives and Actions—Immunisation Objective 1—Improve access for pre-school children to immunisation through the provision of a community immunisation program. Objective 2—Improve access for primary and secondary school students to immunisation through the provision of a school immunisation program.



1. Deliver a public clinic immunisation program once a month.

Feedback from clinic patrons and records of patron numbers


2. Promote Council’s immunisa-tion services through multi-media options including flyers in the customer service area, radio advertising, television advertising, Council’s quarterly newsletter, resident informa-tion kits, Council’s website.

Clinic attendance Ongoing A—Resource allocated

3. Promote immunisation bene-fits to the general community in cooperation with SA Health and EHA.

Clinic attendance Ongoing A—Resource allocated

4. Promote other immunisation providers within the commu-nity to maximise community accessibility to immunisation services.

Referrals to other providers


5. Deliver a school immunisa-tion program in accordance with SA Health’s contract with Local Government

Coverage of targeted school enrolments


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Management Objectives and Actions—Immunisation Objective 3—Ensure high quality and safety standards are met in the delivery of immunisation services.

Objective 4—Ensure accurate and up-to-date immunisation records are kept with Council’s database.



1. Conduct all immunisation clinics (both community & school) in accordance with the following:

• The National Health and Medical Research Council ‘Australian Immunisation Handbook’

• Council Standing Drug Orders

• Department of Health and Ageing ‘Guidelines on Maintaining the Cold Chain’

• The Controlled Sub-stances Act

• Council safety protocols (eg Safe Sharps Handling Procedure)

Report non-conformances/incidents against these requirements


Actions Performance Implications

Year Resource Implications

1. Maintain client immunisation records on Council’s Immuni-sation database (ImPs soft-ware provided by SA Health)

Database updated within 3 days after each clinic

Ongoing A—Resource allocated (Software support provided through DH)

2. Report immunisation statis-tics to SA Health and the Australian Childhood Immuni-sation Register, in accordance with contractual agreements

Statistics reported to the ACIR within 3-5 days of each public clinic. Statistics forwarded to SA Health annually


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Notifiable Disease Control and Investigation Objectives: • Work collaboratively with relevant agencies to investigate and control notifiable diseases within the Whyalla City Council area. Part 4, Division 1 of the Public and Environmental Health Act 1987 places a duty on doctors and laboratories to forward any relevant data on cases of notifiable diseases to SA Health’s Communicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB). Appendix A contains the entire list of Notifiable Diseases under Section 30 of the Public and Environmental Health Act 1987 . The information reported is critical for enabling adequate disease surveillance and where possible disease prevention through appropriate public health actions in the community. Local government works in collaboration with SA Health to prevent and investigate certain notifiable diseases. The Whyalla City Council Health Department undertakes the following measures with regard to notifable disease control and investigation. • Preventing the occurrence and transmission of communicable diseases within

the community by effectively monitoring and maintaining high standards of public and environmental health.

• Undertake investigations as directed by the Communicable Disease Control Branch, outcomes show trends in relation to the prevalence of illness within the community.

• Undertaking and promoting health promotion and education aimed at the pre-vention of notifiable diseases within the community.

• Provide a sharps container disposal service to the community to reduce the prevalence of needles discarded in public areas.

• Provide sharps containers to the Whyalla City Council residents at a subsidised cost.

These measures are undertaken in line with SA Health’s Strategic Plan, Strategic Direction 4—Preventing communicable and other acute and chronic disease, Key Objective 4.2—Reduce the incidence of blood-borne viruses and other communicable diseases.

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Management Objectives and Actions—Notifiable Disease Control and Investigation

Objective 1—Work collaboratively with relevant agencies to investigate and control notifiable diseases within the Whyalla City Council area.



1. Undertake notifiable disease investigation under directions from the Commu-nicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB) and in accor-dance with CDCB proce-dures

Investigation com-menced within 36 hours of notification. Provide relevant feedback to CDCB. Provide advice and information to the subject of the inves-tigation. Completed question-naire and forwarded to the relevant agency (CDCB).


2. Support relevant agen-cies with health promotion and education programs aimed at the prevention of notifiable diseases.

Material incorpo-rated into Council multi-media options for educational ma-terial


3. Monitor funding opportu-nities for the provision of pro-active health education and prevention programs within the Whyalla City Council area.

Report on opportuni-ties at Council meet-ings

Ongoing C—Additional re-sources needed for pro-active programs, based on community needs and external grants.

4. Provide a sharps con-tainer disposal service to the Whyalla City Council residents

Number of containers disposed of


5. Provide sharps contain-ers to the community at a subsidised cost.

Number of containers bought


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Housing Conditions and Amenity Objectives: • Reduce the number of insanitary conditions within the Whyalla City Council

area through effective education, complaint investigation and enforcement. • Investigate sub-standard housing complaints in an effective and systematic

manner. • Ensure Supported Residential Facilities in the Council area operate in accor-

dance with legislative requirements and relevant standards. • Monitor changes to Supported Residential Facilities legislation reform and the

implications changes may have on Council and local facilities The Environmental Health profession is concerned with ensuring that housing, accommodation and property standards do not give rise to public health issues such as breeding of vermin, indoor air pollution or offensive odours. The Environmental Health Officer’s work closely with other Council Officers such as Planning Officers, Building Officers, Legislation Compliance Officers and the Waste Education Officer as well as external agencies such as Housing SA, to enforce safe housing standards in the interests of public health and to maintain the amenity of the local area. The responsibilities of Council’s Environmental Health Officers with regard to housing, accommodation and amenity include:

• The Investigation of Insanitary or Unsightly Conditions

Under the Public and Environmental Health Act 1987, the Environmental Health Team investigate complaints regarding housing conditions considered insanitary. An ‘insanitary condition’ means that the premises may give rise to a risk to health, pose a risk of infestation by rodents or other pests or emit offensive material or odours. Council officer’s also address ‘unsightly conditions’ and general amenity issues using Section 254 of the Local Government Act 1999, under which Council can order improvements to address unsightly conditions of land that may impair the amenity of the locality.

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• Assessment of Sub-Standard Housing Conditions

Using the Housing Improvement Act 1940 and the Public and Environmental Health Act 1987, the Council has powers to address housing conditions that are potentially ‘insanitary’, ‘unfit’ or ‘undesirable’ for human habitation and if deemed necessary require work to be carried out on the house or its demolition. The Environmental Health Officer will work in close liaison with Housing SA to address sub-standard housing conditions. Usually homes declared ‘unfit’ for human habitation are in an extreme sub-standard condition.

• Licensing and Assessment of Supported Residential Facilities

Supported Residential Facilities (SRFs) are premises where residential accommodation is provided or offered together with personal care services other than for members of the immediate family or proprietor of the facility. The administration and enforcement of these establishments is governed by the Supported Residential Facilities Act 1992, which regulates standards for the adequate provision of care in these facilities. Under the Act, SRFs require annual licensing. There is currently one licensed SRF within the Whyalla City Council area.

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Management Objectives and Actions—Housing Conditions and Amenity Objective 1—Reduce the number of insanitary conditions within the Whyalla City Council area through effective education, complaint investigation and enforcement.



1. Educate the community on how to prevent insanitary conditions, such as indoor air pollution, odours and rodent infestation, through Council’s community newspapers, in-formation at Councils Offices and public displays.

Number of insanitary conditions investiga-tions. Number of proactive educational initiatives undertaken.


2. Investigate reported insanitary conditions within the timeframe specified in Council’s Customer Service Charter and, where required recommend improvements or use Council's statutory authorities to ensure appropriate and timely action is taken to achieve resolution.

Commence investigation of insanitary condition complaint within 5 working days of notifi-cation. Resolution of insanitary condition


3. Work in liaison with the Community Services Section and Mental Health Services to address insanitary conditions where required.

Resolution of insanitary condition


4. Provide waste management services (including hard refuse service) to prevent the unsatisfactory accumulation of refuse on domestic properties.

Number of insanitary condition investigations


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Management Objectives and Actions—Housing Conditions and Amenity Objective 2—Investigate sub-standard housing complaints in an effective and systematic manner.

Objective 3—Ensure Supported Residential Facilities in the Council area operate in accordance with legislative requirements and relevant standards.



1. Investigate reported ‘sub-standard’ housing conditions and, where required, recom-mend improvements or use Council's statutory authori-ties to ensure appropriate and timely action is taken to achieve a resolution.

Commence investigation of sub-standard housing condition within 5 work-ing days of notification. Resolution of sub-standard condition. Liaise with SA Housing where necessary


2. Provide support, to assist residents to address sub-standard or insanitary hous-ing conditions. Work in liaison with community services to assess the residents circum-stances and the support re-quired.

Resolution of sub-standard condition.




1. Assess SRFs within Coun-cil’s jurisdiction in a uniform manner using the SRF Act 1992, Guidelines and Stan-dards. Where required make recommendations or use Council’s statutory authori-ties to address non compli-ance issues.

Undertake annual assess-ments of SRF. Resolution of non-compliance issues.


2. Educate proprietors of SRFs on relevant guidelines and standards to ensure ade-quate level of care in their facilities.

Information provided through scheduled assess-ments


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Management Objectives and Actions—Housing Conditions and Amenity Objective 4—Monitor changes to Supported Residential Facilities legislation reform and the implications changes may have on Council and local facilities



1. Attend information sessions to obtain and dis-cuss latest information on SRF reforms

Attendance at meet-ings

Where applicable

A—Resource allocated

2. Provide information to Council on SRF reforms

Information reports provided to Council

As required B– monitor and report resource requirements

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Manufactured Water Systems Objectives: • Ensure that all manufactured water systems within the Whyalla City Council

area are operated and maintained in accordance with legislative requirements and relevant Standards and Codes of Practice.

• Monitor legislative reforms in relation to manufactured water systems and the potential implications of reforms to Council and operators.

• Improve community awareness of the risks of exposure to Legionella bacteria in other environments.

Sources of legionnellae implicated in outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease (Legionellosis) worldwide have been traced to air conditioning plants and warm water distribution systems (manufactured water systems) which have been incorrectly commissioned or poorly maintained. In Australia major outbreaks have been traced to small cooling towers and to evaporative condensers associated with refrigeration systems. A small number of cases have been associated with warm water services and with spa pools. Infections due to L.longbeachae in Australia and New Zealand have been associated with gardening activities, many involving the use of potting mixes or composts. Public health measures to control Legionellosis include: • Education and enforcement of the safe operation of air conditioning cooling

towers and warm water systems; • Education and enforcement of the safe operation of spa pools; and • Education to the general public on safe gardening practices and the safe use of

composts and potting mixes. Current regulations for cooling towers and warm water systems under the Public and Environmental Health Act 1987 required businesses with either of these systems to register them with Council and that Council must keep a database/register of these systems. Whyalla City Council requires businesses with registered systems to have them independently inspected and tested annually and for the results of these to be reported to council. There are currently four cooling towers and five warm water systems registered located within the Whyalla City Council area.

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Management Objectives and Actions—Manufactured Water Systems Objective 1—Ensure that all manufactured water systems within the Whyalla City Council area are operated and maintained in accordance with legislative requirements and relevant Standards and Codes of Practice.



1. Provide targeted educational material, as required, to manu-factured water system opera-tors on SA Health recom-mended practices, standards and legislative requirements.

Updated information provided to operators

As required A—Resource allocated

2. Maintain an up to date regis-ter of all manufactured water systems in the Council area

Register on Authority updated Number of new sys-tems noted in devel-opment applications forwarded to Health Team


3. Ensure that inspection reports are provided to Council by required dates

All registered manu-factured water sys-tems have been in-spected and reports of this in businesses file

Annually A—Resource allocated

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Management Objectives and Actions—Manufactured Water Systems Objective 2—Monitor legislative reforms in relation to manufactured water systems and the potential implications of reforms to Council and operators.

Objective 3—Improve community awareness of the risks of exposure to Legionella bacteria in other environments.



1. Provide information to Coun-cil on manufactured water sys-tems legislative reforms

Information reported to Council

As legislated


2. Address Council’s mandatory obligations under legislative reforms in relation to manufac-tured water systems

Conformance with Council’s statutory requirements

As legislated

B—monitor and report resource requirements

3. Provide information to local operators on reforms in rela-tion to manufactured water systems

Information pro-vided to operators

As legislated




1. Provide information on the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria in other environmental (such as gar-dening) to the local commu-nity through pamphlets, pub-lic displays and through re-lated educational material

Initiate educational programs


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Public Health Pest and Vermin Control Objectives: • Prevent public health pest control issues within the Whyalla City Council area

through effective education, complaint investigation and enforcement. • Control European wasps through an effective nest destruction service and

proven alternative methods.

All pest and vermin control measures are undertaken in line with SA Health’s Strategic Plan, Strategic Direction 4—Preventing communicable and other acute and chronic diseases, Key Objective 4.2—Reduce the incidence of blood-borne viruses and other communicable diseases. Many pests and vermin such as rodents, mosquitoes, European wasps and head lice are of public health significance due to their role in the transmission of disease or cause of human discomfort or injury. Council have the following key responsibilities in regards to the control of pests and vermin in their area: • Public Health Pest Control Education

The Environmental Health Team provides education through pamphlets, articles in relevant editions of the Whyalla Council News (eg. Mosquito information in summer) and verbal advice to residents, on ways to control and eradicate pests and vermin such as mosquitoes, rodents, European wasps and head lice. • Investigation of Pest and Vermin Related Complaints

The Environmental Health Officers undertake investigations into vector control issues in association with Council’s Pest Control Officer. Council’s Environmental Health Department is responsible for mosquito trapping and monitoring. • European Wasp Nest Destruction

Whyalla City Council coordinates a free wasp nest destruction service to the community. Community education on how to correctly identify European wasps and their nests is an integral part of this service. • Head Lice Management

The Environmental Health Officers provide assistance and advice on the management of headlice and supports community-managed head lice control programs such as in schools and childcare centres. Headlice management is undertaken in accordance with SA Health’s Healthy Heads….. without Headlice Management Guidelines for the Control of Headlice in South Australia.

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Management Objectives and Actions—Pest and Vermin Control Objective 1—Prevent public health pest control issues with the Whyalla City Council area through effective education, complaint investigation and enforcement.



1. Educate the community on how to prevent public health pest in-festation through the implementa-tion of public education campaigns including displays, Council News articles, Council’s website, infor-mation mail-outs to priority areas.



2. Investigate community com-plaints and enquiries relating to public health pests and vermin is-sues where required, recommend improvements or use Council’s statutory authorities to ensure appropriate and timely action is taken to achieve a resolution.

Commence investiga-tions of complaint within 5 working days of notification. Resolution of pest and vermin control issue


3. Ensure that accurate informa-tion on the control and treatment of headlice is made available to school staff and parents

Reduction in the number of headlice cases


4. Implement mosquito manage-ment plan to identify, monitor and treat mosquitoes-breeding sites.

Plan implemented Ongoing A—Resource allocated (some funding from SA Health)

5. Establish a coordinated rat con-trol program for public recreation areas (eg. Ada Ryan Gardens, Foreshore area)

Program implemented


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Management Objectives and Actions—Pest and Vermin Control Objective 2—Control European wasps through an effective nest destruction ser-vice and proven alternative methods.



1. Following the notification and correct identification of a European Wasp Nest, provide a free nest destruction ser-vice

European Wasp Nest destroyed or removed within 24 hours of notification during normal working week


2. Raise awareness within the community on how to correctly identify European Wasps Nests and of Council’s ser-vices through multi-media op-tions.

Number of false callouts


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Hairdressing and Skin Penetration Activities Objectives: • Ensure that all hairdressing, beauty salons, tattooists and other skin penetra-

tion premises within the Whyalla City Council area operate in accordance with legislative requirements and relevant SA Health guidelines.

• Monitor changes to hairdressing and skin penetration premise public health guidelines and the implications changes may have to Council and local facilities.

The variety of services provided by hairdressers, beauticians and tattooists such as body massage, body piercing, waxing, manicure and electrolysis are to be undertaken with regard to proper standards or they may pose a serious risk to health. Unhygienic and unsafe procedures within these facilities can jeopardise the health of both the client and operators and contribute to the spread of infectious diseases and the transmission of ectoparasites such as head lice. If performed unsafely, skin penetration procedures such as tattooing and body piercing have the potential to spread infectious disease and viruses such as hepatitis and HIV, therefore professional body piercers and tattooists need to follow appropriate infection control procedures. To ensure that hairdressers, beauticians, body piercers and tattooists know and understand the health implications of their procedures, and the precautions that must be taken to minimise health risks, SA Health has produced the following guidelines: • Guidelines on the Standard of Practice for Hairdressing • Guidelines for the Safe and Hygienic Practice of Skin Penetration

To raise awareness of the requirements of the guidelines and check premises standards, Council’s Environmental Health Officer’s undertake at least one assessment of hairdressing, beauty salons and skin penetration facilities, annually. In the 2008/2009 financial year there were 19 facilities within the Whyalla City Council area requiring assessment. The Environmental Health Team also respond to and investigate community complaints with regards to these facilities. All regulatory measures are undertaken in line with SA Health’s Strategic Plan, Strategic Direction 3—Protecting the Health of the Public, Key Objective 3.1—Develop and administer public health legislation and policy which prevent, minimise or contain a range of environmental hazards.

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Management Objectives and Actions—Hairdressing and Skin Penetration Activities Objective 1—Ensure that all hairdressing, beauty salons, tattooists and other skin penetration premises within the Whyalla City Council area operate in ac-cordance with legislative requirements and relevant SA Health guidelines.

Objective 2—Monitor changes to hairdressing and skin penetration premise public health guidelines and the implications changes may have to Council and local facilities.



1. Assess hairdressing and skin penetration premises within Council’s jurisdiction in a uniform manner using SA Health Guide-lines and the EHA (SA Division) (HACCP) Plan Protocols. Where recommended make recommen-dations or use Council’s statu-tory authorities to address non-compliance issues observed within hairdressing and skin penetration premises.

Undertake annual assessments Resolution of non-compliance issues


2. Educate the proprietors of hairdressing and skin penetra-tion on relevant health guidelines that need to met for their op-erations.

Information provided through scheduled assessments




1. Provide information to Council on guideline reforms

Information pro-vided to Council


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Water Quality Objectives: • Improve community awareness on the correct management of rainwater tanks. • Ensure that public swimming pools and spa pools operate in accordance with

legislative requirements and relevant Standards and Codes of Practice. • Prevent pollution of stormwater and protect local waterways. • Encourage the safe management of Greywater within the community. • Ensure the City has an adequate and potable water supply.

As stated in the National Environmental Health Strategy, ‘water contamination has the potential to present a significant risk to human health’. Water quality has the potential to impact on human health in a number of different ways, the main categories within we interact with water are:

• Potable (Drinking) • Recreational • Use and reuse of water in industry, agriculture and municipal settings Our use of water for drinking and primary contact recreational sports, such as swimming, have the greatest potential to adversely affect health. Risks to health are reduced by preventing microbiological and chemical contamination of water supplies and by treating and disinfecting drinking water. The Environmental Health profession in Australia focuses on the following water quality issues to protect pubic health:

• The provision of safe drinking water (which also requires a broader approach to effective catchment management).

• The safety of water used for recreational purposes such as swimming, water-skiing, surfing, sailing and fishing.

• The safe operation of water systems (as dealt with in Section—Manufactured Water Systems).

• Safe wastewater management and reuse (as dealt with in Section—Waste Con-trol Systems).

All protection measures are undertaken in line with SA Health’s Strategic Plan, Strategic Direction 3—Protecting the Health of the Public, Key Objective 3.4—Prevent public harm from physical, chemical and microbial hazards in the environment.

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Drinking Water Quality

The Whyalla City Council area is serviced primarily by the SA Water Cooperation who is responsible for the effective management and treatment of mains drinking water to ensure an acceptable quality that protects public health. Rainwater is also a potential drinking water source. The Environmental Health Department provides information to the community on how to properly manage rainwater tanks for the provision of good quality water and to prevent public health issues such as mosquito infestation. Recreational Water Quality

Public recreational water facilities such as public pools and spa pools, pose potential health risks if not properly maintained. Council’s Environmental Health Officer’s inspect local public pools and spas during the peak season and in any case at least twice a year. These assessments are undertaken to ensure that public pools and spas are being maintained in accordance with the requirements of the Public and Environmental Health Regulations and SA Health Codes of Practice for the ‘Operation of Swimming Pools and Spa Pools in South Australia’. There are four public swimming pools and one public spa pool within the Whyalla City Council area.

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Management Objectives and Actions—Water Quality Objective 1—Improve community awareness on the correct management of rainwater tanks.

Objective 2—Ensure that public swimming pools and spa pools operate in ac-cordance with legislative requirements and relevant Standards and Codes of Practice.



1. Provide information to the community about how to effec-tively manage rainwater tanks through multi-media options in-cluding: public displays, Council’s News, Pamphlets

Number of enquires satisfactorily resolved




1. Undertake assessments of pub-lic pools and spas within Council’s jurisdiction in a uniform manner.

Undertake at least 2 assessments annually. Compliance with assessment recommendations


2. Provide targeted educational material, as required, to opera-tors of public pools and spas on DoH recommended practices, standards and legislative require-ments

Level of compliance in pool and spa as-sessments


3. Maintain an up to date register of all public pools and spas within the Whyalla City Council area and their assessment status.

Register updated within 3 working days of assessment.


4. Provide information to Council on public pools and spas legislative reforms.

Information provided to Council


5. Provide information to local operators on reforms in relation to public pools and spas.

Information provided to operators


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Management Objectives and Actions—Water Quality Objective 3—Prevent pollution of stormwater and protect local waterways.

Objective 4—Encourage the safe management of Greywater within the community.

Objective 5—Ensure the City has an adequate and potable water supply.



1. Educate local business, industry and community about the impacts of their operations ion stormwater and local waterways.


Ongoing B—Monitor and report resource requirements

2. Where required use the provi-sions of applicable legislations (such as the Environmental Protec-tion Act 1993 and the Public and Environmental Health Act 1987) to address illegal discharge os waste to the stormwater systems or lo-cal waterways

Compliance with in-spection recommen-dations.




1. Educate the community on the effective management of grey-water

Information pro-vided to community




1. Respond to residents con-cerns regarding the quality of the water supply in con-junction with SA Water

Concerns addressed and investigated


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Waste Control Systems Objectives: • To ensure that all waste control systems installed in the Council area are in-

stalled and operated in accordance with legislative requirements and relevant SA Health Standards.

• Keep informed of SA Health policy directions and legislative requirements for waste control systems (including alternative waste control system technolo-gies).

Approximately one third of South Australian (400 000) people, predominately in rural areas and townships are serviced by domestic wastewater systems. Domestic wastewater systems are required in those areas where SA Water Corporation's sewerage services are not available. Types of systems included in this category include: septic tanks, aerobic wastewater treatment systems, aerobic sand filters and alternate onsite wastewater systems incorporate technologies for greywater collection and treatment. The incorrect design, operation and maintenance of a waste control system can result in issues for public health significance such as effluent leakage or pooling, offensive odours, and mosquito breeding. It is therefore important that the design, location and operation of wastewater control systems enable effective effluent treatment and disposal. In South Australia the safe collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater from domestic wastewater systems is managed under the Public and Environmental Health Act (Waste Control Regulations) 1995. SA Health has also developed the ‘Standard for the Construction, Installation and Operation of Septic Tank Systems in South Australia’ and associated supplements, which outline requirements for septic tanks, aerobic wastewater treatment systems and sand filters. Alternate onsite wastewater systems not covered by these Codes also need assessing by the relevant Authority. With individual assessment and approval, these alternate onsite systems may be installed. The Environmental Health Officer’s assess applications for all new or upgraded waste control systems to ensure compliance with the Public and Environmental Health (Waste Control) Regulations 1995 and relevant Standards. Assessments involve reviewing design and plan details and a site inspection to check suitability for the system location. The Environmental Health Department assessed sixteen application for waste control systems in the 2008/2009 financial year.

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Management Objectives and Actions—Waste Control Systems Objective 1—To ensure that all waste control systems installed in the Council area are installed and operated in accordance with legislative requirements and relevant Department of Health Standards.



1. Assess waste control system applications and complaints within Council’s jurisdiction ina uniform manner and in accor-dance with the ‘Waste Control Systems’ Regulations.

Complete waste con-trol system assess-ment Refer assessment to external agency if beyond jurisdictional responsibility Compliance with as-sessment recommen-dations

Ongoing As Required Ongoing

A—Resource allocated B—Monitor and report resource requirements A—Resource allocated

2. Provide initial advice to resi-dents on the approvals process and suitability of alternative waste control systems tech-nologies and refer enquiries, where required, to SA Health

Provide information as requested


3. Maintain an up to date regis-ter of all waste control systems in the Council area and their assessment status

Register updated Ongoing A—Resource allocated

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Management Objectives and Actions—Waste Control Systems Objective 2—Keep informed of SA Health policy directions and legislative require-ments for waste control systems (including alternative waste control system tech-nologies).



1. Review relevant SA Health position & guidelines & EHA information distributed in relation to waste control sys-tem legislative reforms and alternative waste control sys-tem technologies.

Information reported to Council

As Required A—Resource allocated

2. Participate in training, in-formation briefings and semi-nars in relation to waste con-trol systems.

Attendance at train-ing and information sessions.


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Built Environment Objectives: • Support local businesses and residents to minimise their environmental health

impacts through effective education. • Effectively respond to environmental pollution complaints in cooperation with

other relevant responsible agencies. • Promote ‘healthy built environments’ through Council’s planning policy and as-

sessment. • Provide environmentally sound programs to effectively manage: solid, liquid and

hazardous waste. • Contribute to State and National objectives for the improvement of air qual-

ity. • Ensure that the level of industrial, machine and domestic noise is within ac-

ceptable limits. • Reduce the level of risk to the community and the environment from contami-

nated land sites.

The term ‘built environment’ refers to everything that is not a part of the natural environment. Thus, referring to everything which has been built by humankind and consist not only of buildings, but all facilities and services that are required to support the built environment, such as roads, transport systems, water, sewer, electrical and other services. (Cromar et al. 2004). Examples of aspects of the built environment that can adversely affect our health include but are not restricted to: • Urban Planning (public transport, recreational and leisure facilities, location of

different land uses and the availability and design of housing) • Air Quality and Pollution • Noise Pollution • Contaminated Land • Waste Management • Stormwater Pollution

Managing the aspects of the built environment is not solely a task for the Environmental Health Department but instead requires a multidisciplinary approach incorporating sectors in Council such as Infrastructure, Development Services, Corporate Services and Executive Services.

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The Environmental Health Department undertake the following activities to address the environmental health impacts associated with the built environment: • Environmental Education

Provide information to the local community and businesses on managing their environmental impacts. The Environmental Health Team also provide information to the local residents in managing their environmental impacts including information on stormwater pollution, waste management and air pollution. • Complaint Investigation

The Environmental Health Team often receive complaints in relation to environ mental pollution. Whyalla City Council currently has officer’s authorised under the Environmental Protection Act 1993 to deal with complaints arising from matters such as: noise pollution from industry; air pollution from wood heaters and stormwater pollution. Any complaints arising from matters beyond Council’s responsibilities are passed to the relevant authority. • Environmental Protection Act 1993 enforcement

Due to recent amendments to the Environmental Protection Act 1993, local councils can now volunteer as ‘administering agencies’ under the Act and enforce the Act for non-licenced activities. The City of Whyalla has opted to be an ‘administering agency’ under the Environmental Protection Act. All regulatory actions are undertaken in line with SA Health’s Strategic Plan, Strategic Direction 3—Protecting the Health of the Public, Key Objective 3.4—Prevent public harm from physical, chemical and microbial hazards in the environment.

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Management Objectives and Actions—Built Environment Objective 1—Support local businesses and residents to minimise their environmental health impacts through effective education.

Objective 2—Effectively respond to environmental pollution complaints in coopera-tion with other relevant responsible agencies.



1. Educate local businesses and industry about the impacts of their operations on the environment and environmental management princi-ples.

Initiate education program

Ongoing A –Resource allocated

2. Provide education on domestic environmental health issues to local residents through Council’s website, information pamphlets, public displays and community newspapers

Initiate educational program


Actions Performance Measures


1. Respond to environmental pollu-tion complaints within Council’s ju-risdiction in a uniform manner.

Commence investiga-tion of complaint within 5 business days of receipt of complaint. Refer assessment to external agency within 5 businesses days of lodgement if beyond jurisdictional responsibility.

Ongoing As Required

A –Resource allocated B—Monitor and report resource require-ments

2. Maintain an up to date register of all environmental pollution re-lated complaints in the Council area and their assessment status.

Register maintained on Council records


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Management Objectives and Actions—Built Environment Objective 3—Promote ‘healthy built environments’ through Council’s planning policy and assessment.

Objective 4—Provide environmentally sound programs to effectively manage: solid, liquid and hazardous waste.



1. Ensure that all Development staff are aware of development circum-stances requiring referral to the En-vironmental Health Officers.

Development applica-tions including wastewater systems are referred to the EHO’s.


2. Raise awareness on the role and functions of the Environmental Health Officer and the importance of preventing potential public health issues through Council’s planning pol-icy and assessment processes.

Address at staff meetings




1. Ensure the landfill site complies with EPA licence through yearly compliance audits

Compliance with licence


2. React to complaints involving waste management issues associ-ated with public health

Successful resolu-tion of complaints


3. Encourage and promote the proper disposal of litter

Promotions under-taken


4. Regulate the installation of septic tanks and effluent disposal systems

Compliance with Regulations


5. Provide information on the identi-fication and proper management of household hazardous waste

Information pro-vided as requested


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Management Objectives and Actions—Built Environment Objective 5—Contribute to State and National objectives for the improvement of air quality.

Objective 6—Ensure that the level of industrial, machine and domestic noise is within acceptable limits.



1. Liase with the EPA on air quality monitoring and control in the following areas:

• Monitoring of airborne pol-lutants

• Licencing of compliance with legislation

Level of compliance with legislation


2. Enforce domestic burning legislation

Compliance with leg-islation


3. Provide information on proper management of domestic wood heating and stoves

Number of enquiries satisfactorily re-solved




1. Respond to and resolve com-plaints regarding excessive noise through mediation and advise

Number of com-plaints satisfactorily resolved


2. Provide information to the community on how to reduce domestic and machine noise levels to within acceptable limits.

Information on noise reduction available


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Management Objectives and Actions—Built Environment Objective 7—Reduce the level of risk to the community and the environment from contaminated land sites.



1. Identify and register all land sites known by Council to be con-taminated

Register complete Within 24 months

C—Additional resources needed

2. Provide access to information collated on contaminated land sites

Information avail-able

Within 24 months

C –Additional resources needed

3. Provide guidance for the as-sessment and clean up of small contaminated areas on residential properties

Number of requests for guidance satis-factorily resolved


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Health Promotion Objectives: • To provide adequate services to ensure the maximum health and wellbeing of

the community.

Health Promotion is often described as the process of enabling individuals and communities to increase control over the determinants of health and thereby im-prove their health. The fundamental conditions and resources for health are:

• Peace; • Shelter; • Education; • Food; • Income; • A stable eco-system; • Sustainable resources; • Social justice & equity.

Improvement to health requires a secure foundation in these basic prerequisites. All promotion is undertaken in line with SA Health’ Strategic Plan, Strategic Direction 2—Promoting Healthy People, Communities and Environments, Strategy— Support and advocate health promoting policies, practices and standards at national and state levels. The 1996 Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion is centred around five essential strategies to: • Build Healthy Public Policy—this puts health on the agenda of policy makers in

all sectors and at all levels, directing them to be aware of health consequences of their decisions

• Create Supportive Environments—this recognises the inextricable health link between people and their social and physical environment

• Strengthen Community Action—this involves effective community action in setting priorities, planning strategies and their implementation for health outcomes.

• Develop Personal Skills—this involves the provision of health information and education to assist people develop the skills they need to make healthy life-style choices.

• Reorient Health Services—this requires health services to become engaged in primary prevention and health promotion programmes, such as health aware-ness campaigns and community health outreach.

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Management Objectives and Actions—Health Promotion Objective 1—To provide adequate services to ensure the maximum health and well-being of the community.

Actions Performance

Measure/s Timeframe Resource

Implications

1. Provide education campaigns and current information on community health and related topics.

Information current and available upon request


2. Collaborate with other health agencies to utilise Council re-sources to provide information and undertake joint projects.

Coordinate use of resources


3. Provide an updated service di-rectory to the community and other health agencies.

Directory made available and up-dated annually

12 Monthly A—Resource allocated

4. Support campaigns that promote and encourage healthy environ-ments and practices.

Promote and get in-volved with cam-paigns


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Reviewing the Public and Environmental Health Management Plan The Environmental Health Department is committed to reviewing its progress against the objectives and actions outlined in this Plan. The following types of information will be kept and maintained by the Council to assist in the reviewing process. • Details of inspections and performance status of inspected facilities • Notes on property files • Key environmental health statistics eg. Immunisation records, waste control

systems • Notes on environmental health complaints and follow-up actions undertaken • Minutes of Department and Council meetings • Relevant documentation on environmental health policies, legislation and stan-

dards kept by the Department

An annual report submitted to SA Health (as required under the Public and Environ-mental Health Act 1987) will form the basis for the annual progress report to be submitted to Council. It is recommended that a thorough review and update of the Plan content be undertaken by 2015.

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References 1. Corporation of the City of Whyalla (2008) ‘Whyalla’s Vision Towards 2022’ A Strategic

Vision Document for Whyalla.

2. The Centre for Rural Health and Community Development (2007) ‘A Statistical Over-

view of the Whyalla Local Government Area’.

3. SA Health (2007) ‘SA Health Public Health Directorate Strategic Plan 2007-2009’.

4. Food Act 2001 5. Coorong District Council (2008) ‘Environmental Health Management Plan 2008-2012’.

6. City of Mitcham ( 2006) “Environmental Health Management Plan 2005-2010’.

7. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, ‘Brochure—Understanding

Childhood Immunisation’.

8. Immunisation Providers (ImPS) Software Database

9. Medicare Australia—Immunisation Coverage Rates

10. Public and Environmental Health Act 1987 11. Local Government Act 1999 12. Housing Improvement Act 1940 13. Supported Residential Facilities Act 1992 14. Department of Health (2006) ‘ Guidelines on the Public Health Standards of Practice

for Hairdressing’.

15. Department of Health (2004) ‘Guidelines on the Safe and Hygienic Practice of Skin

Penetration’.

16. SA Health (2008) ‘Guidelines for the Control of Legionella in Manufactured Water

Systems in South Australia’.

17. Environmental Protection Act 1993

18. Department of Health (1998) ‘Standards for the Operation and Inspection and Mainte-

nance of Swimming Pools and Spa Pools in South Australia—and associated supple-

ments’.

19. Department of Health (1998) ‘Standard for the Construction, Installation and Opera-

tion of Septic Tank Systems in South Australia—and associated supplements’.

20. Department of Health (2005) ‘You’ve Got What—Prevention and Control of Notifiable

and other infectious diseases in children and adults’.

21. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (2008) ‘The Australian Im-

munisation Handbook 9th Edition’.

22. Australia New Zealand Food Authority (2001) ‘A Guide to the Food Safety Standards’.

23. Supported Residential Facilities Regulations 2009

24. Cromar, Cameron & Fallowfield (2004) ‘Environmental Health in Australia and New Zea-

land’.

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Glossary Glossary of terms used in this Plan: Communicable Diseases— Important groups of communicable diseases include food-borne diseases, vaccine preventable diseases, vector-borne diseases, zoonotic infec-tions, HIV/AIDS related diseases and quarantinable diseases. Communicable dis-eases are notifiable under the Public and Environmental Health Act 1987. Cooling Towers— Cooling towers are devices designed to cool water and dissipate heat to the environment and are often associated with air conditioning, refrigera-tion systems, and a wide range of other plant. The towers may have a variety of ma-terials in their construction including fibreglass, PVC, galvanished and stainless steel, brass, wood and concrete. Environmental Health— Those aspects of human health, including quality of life that are determined by physical, chemical, biological, social and psycosocial factors in the environment. It also refers to the theory and practice of assessing, correcting, con-trolling and preventing those factors in the environment that can potentially ad-versely affect the health of present and future generations. Food Business— Under the Food Act 2001, ‘food business’ means a business, enter-prise or activity (other than primary food production) that involves: • The handling of food intended for sale; or • The sale of food.

Regardless of whether the business, enterprise or activity concerned is of a com-mercial, charitable or community nature or whether it involves the handling or sale of food for one occasion only. Food business even includes businesses like chemists, cinemas, corner stores, petrol stations and swimming pools, if they sell packaged or any other types of food. Food businesses from major food manufacturers to the lo-cal church group that hold a once a year food fair, have defined responsibilities un-der the legislation to ensure the safety of food. Health— The World Health Organisation defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, social and mental wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infir-mity’. Insanitary Condition— As defined by the Public and Environmental Health Act 1987, premises are in an insanitary condition if: • The condition of the premises gives rise to a risk to health; or • The premises are so filthy or neglected that there is a risk of infestation by

rodents or other pests; or

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• The condition of the premises is such as to cause justified offence to the owner of any land in the vicinity; or

• Offensive material or odours are emitted from the premises; or • The premises are for some other reason justifiably declared by the authority

to be in an insanitary condition. Legionella Bacteria— Legionella bacteria are very common in our environment at low levels and can be found in rivers, ponds and soil. Cooling towers and warm water sys-tems can provide a warm supportive environment conducive to grow well beyond nor-mal environmental levels. The presence of other water based organisms, such as amoeba, algae and other bacteria within these environments can provide greater nu-trient levels further enhancing growth of Legionella. Legionnaires Disease (Legionellosis) - Legionnaires’ disease is a serious and some-times fatal form of pneumonia. Legionnaires’ disease is caused by infection with Le-gionella bacteria. There are over forty strains, those that are most commonly asso-ciated with human cases are Legionella pneumophila and Legionella longbeachae. Al-though not all cases of Legionnaires’ disease are severe, up to ten per cent of cases are fatal. Manufactured Water Systems— Air conditioning plants (such as cooling towers) or warm water distribution systems. Notifiable Diseases— Diseases that are notifiable under the Public and Environ-mental Health Act 1987. The Act places a duty on doctors and laboratories to for-ward any relevant data on cases of notifiable diseases to the Department of Health Communicable Disease Branch. Public Health— The art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health. Supported Residential Facility— As defined by the Supported Residential Facilities Act 1992, a supported residential facility means a premises at which, for monetary or other consideration (but whether or not for profit), residential accommodation is provided or offered together with personal care services (other than for members of the immediate family of the proprietor of the facility). Vector— A vector is ‘any organism capable of transmitting the causative agent of human disease or capable of producing human discomfort or injury, including mosqui-toes, flies, fleas, cockroaches, or other insects and ticks, mites, or rodents’. EHA—Environmental Health Australia FSANZ—Food Safety Standards Australia New Zealand

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