Water Quality
Public Aquatic Facilities are regulated under the Health (Aquatic Facilities) Regulations 2007 which adopts the Code of Practice for the Design, Construction, Operation, Management and Maintenance of Aquatic Facilities.
Ensuring all water used for drinking, food production and recreation is safe. The Shire provides water quality testing for premises that rely on rainwater for drinking water supplies on a cost recovery basis. Please call the Shire Office to arrange for sampling.
The Boyup Brook swimming pool is regularly tested to ensure the high standards are maintained for all swimmers. Before the swimming pool opens for the season start up samples are collected and satisfactory results must be received by the Local government prior to operation.
Food Safety
Inspections of local food businesses ensures the preparation, storage and sale of food for human consumption is safe.
Food businesses from other Local Governments are required to complete a Food Notification form.
New food business should contact the shire offices in the first instance to ensure all planning, building and health requirements can be met.
Click HERE for Food Notification Form.
Free Food Safe course and participants will be provided with a certificate on completion – this training is the minimum standard for all food handlers, paid and voluntary. To obtain the course registration details follow the payment links all the way to shipping and enter the promo code FSBOYUP318.
https://foodsafeonline.com.au
Event Compliance
All public events in Western Australia fall under the Health (Public Buildings) Regulations 1992 (the Regulations), even small events on private property. In the past this definition was held to only apply to gatherings or assemblies of people acting in concert or by some pre-arrangement.
That position has since changed, and the interpretation is in fact much broader and captures most buildings and places where numbers of people assemble or gather for any one or more of the purposes specified in the Regulations.
The aim is to ensure the public health and safety of all persons at an event. Contact the shire offices for assistance with your event and to discuss the requirements to complete an event application.
For more information contact the Shire Administration Office.
Event Application
Event Activity Matrix
Public Buildings and Accommodation
Regulations are in place to ensure buildings and areas accessed by the public are maintained and operated to protect the health and safety of users and occupiers.
Inspection of public buildings for compliance with the Health (Public Buildings) Regulations 1992 are undertaken by the Shire and a Certificate of Compliance is issued that is required to be on display within the building.
http://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/Files/Corporate/general%20documents/Environmental%20health/Public%20Buildings%20Guidelines%20Final.pdf
Smoking and Vaping
The new laws introduce stronger measures to address the illicit tobacco and vape trade in WA. Under the changes:
- It is an offence to sell, supply or possess illicit tobacco or vaping products (vapes).
- Authorities can shut down premises involved in illegal trade.
- Penalties for offences have significantly increased.
- Smoke‑free public places are vape‑free.
These changes build on existing laws and are intended to deter illegal trade, strengthen enforcement, and protect public health.
Further legislative changes are expected to be introduced to Parliament later in 2026.
Under the new laws, vaping is not allowed anywhere smoking is prohibited.
All smoke‑free public places, both indoor and outdoor, are also vape‑free. These changes aim to reduce exposure to second-hand vape aerosol and help protect the community.
Businesses, local governments and organisations affected by these changes are encouraged to update signage to support compliance with smoke-free and vape-free areas.
For assistance to stop vaping or smoking https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/S_T/Smoking-and-vaping-cessation-resources
Smoking Indoors and in Outdoor Dining Areas
Amendments to the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 has resulted in improved enforcement and investigation provisions to support compliance activities, and sees Western Australia with some of the toughest tobacco laws in Australia.
The Act bans smoking in all outdoor dining areas other than those with a hotel and tavern liquor license, although a minimum of 50% of the outdoor dining area must be non-smoking and cannot affect the patrons in the non-smoking areas.
Environmental Health Officers (EHO’s) have a key role in the monitoring and enforcement of the regulations.
Effluent Disposal
Disposing of on-site effluent must comply with the Health (Treatment of Sewage and Disposal of Effluent and Liquid Wastes) Regulations 1974. Depending on the site location and conditions, disposal may be done via a conventional septic tank system or through an Aerobic Treatment Unit.
Where septic tanks are to be de-commissioned or removed the work must comply with regulations 20 and 21.
Please refer to the application form and associated information note for further guidance regarding this process. Information can also be obtained by contacting the shire offices.
Application to construct or install an apparatus for the treatment of sewage Septic-Application.pdf
All development applications will require a soil and site evaluation (SSE) to determine the suitability of the waste water treatment system. These are assessed by the local government and approved by the Department of Health.
Asbestos
Asbestos was commonly used in building materials prior to 1990. Asbestos fibres can be present in a number of products including:
- Roofing, shingles, internal and external walls, ceilings and floors
- Imitation brick or weatherboard cladding
- Fencing
- Thermal boards around fireplaces
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Lagging on water pipes
Generally, undisturbed asbestos cement products do not pose a health risk, as the fibres are bound together in a solid cement matrix, such as in asbestos fences. However, if the material is damaged or disturbed, fibres may be released into the air. Asbestos can pose a serious health risk if not removed safely.
Residents are permitted to remove up to 10 square meters of asbestos. If the amount of asbestos to be removed is greater than 10 square meters, the work will need to be undertaken by a licensed asbestos removalist. For further information, please visit Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety
Environmental Health Officers can assist with queries and concerns regarding asbestos in the community.
Please note, asbestos in the workplace is managed by Department of Commerce - Asbestos in Western Australia
Further information regarding asbestos can be found on the Department of Health website - About Asbestos
Public Health Legislation and Health Local Laws
The Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1911 empowers and places responsibility on local government to administer the Act, its regulations and local laws within the district. This empowerment attracts an accompanying liability to ensure these duties are fulfilled in a professional and reasonable manner.
Relevant health legislation can be found on the State Law Publisher website.
Click here for the Shire of Boyup Brook local laws
To access forms type "food" in the "any category" of the Document Centre.
Quick Links
Helpful websites:
Buildings: http://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/~/media/Files/Corporate/general%20documents/Environmental%20health/Public%20Buildings%20Guidelines%20Final.ashx
Septic Tanks: http://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Apply-to-install-a-wastewater-system