Septic Tank Permits
Under the Environment Protection Act Mornington Peninsula Shire is responsible for the installation and approval of domestic wastewater systems discharging less than 5,000 litres per day in un-sewered areas of the Mornington Peninsula.
A Permit to Install must be obtained from the Shire before commencing alterations or construction of any septic tank system.
Apply for a Permit
To apply for a permit to alter or construct a septic tank system, you can download and complete the Septic Application form. This can then be returned to and paid for at any of the Shire Offices. Alternatively, you may wish to pay over the phone and email the form. To make payment please call 1300 850 600. Please allow up to 15 working days for the processing of a permit application to alter or install a septic tank system.
Download: Septic Tank Application Form(PDF, 151KB)
The current fee for an application to install or alter a septic tank is $735.00. The current fee for an application to make a minor alteration is $560.001.
1Refer to EPA Toolkit (Publication 1974) for updated fee schedule. Fees are statutory to meet EPA schedule - $735 for new installation and $560 for minor alterations. The base fee for a new application is 8.2 hours of officer time. A fee of $92 will apply for each additional hour of processing time after 8.2 hours.
The Permit to Install does not allow the septic tank system to be used. The Shire must inspect the system during installation to ensure that it has been installed correctly and complies with the Septic Tanks Code of Practice (EPA Publication 891.4). The system can only be used when the Shire is satisfied that the system has been installed correctly and issues a Permit to Use the system.
Request a Final Inspection
After the installation has been completed, a final inspection needs to be conducted by an Environmental Health Officer prior to issuing the Permit to Use. Only once this permit has been issued can the septic tank be used. To organise a final inspection of a septic tank, download and complete the Final Inspection Request form. This can then be returned to the Shire in person, by mail or email.
Download: Request for Final Inspection Form(PDF, 44KB)
Illegal use of a septic tank system (i.e. without a Council permit) may incur an infringement notice of up to $500. It is also a requirement that a permit to use a septic tank system must be issued prior to a building surveyor issuing a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Final Inspection, as governed by the Building Act, 1993.
Installation Requirements
All septic systems installed on the Mornington Peninsula must meet the Shire's Wastewater Installation Guidelines and the Shire's Wastewater Management Policy.
Download: Wastewater Management Installation Guidelines Updated 2023(PDF, 2MB)
Download: Wastewater Management Policy - Updated February 2023(PDF, 2MB)
Commercial Premises (food, wineries, animal boarding & industrial)
Please contact the Environmental Health team on 5950 1373 or email septics@mornpen.vic.gov.au for further information on wastewater disposal for unsewered commercial sites. Alternatively, you can contact the Environment Protection Authority.