A Conversation with the GM Mark Dicker Blayney Shire Council Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems An onsite wastewater treatment system, treat effluent for properties not connected to Council reticulated sewer main (mainly everywhere except Blayney and Millthorpe). Up to 20 per cent of households in regional NSW have an onsite sewage management system, such a traditional septic tank and trench drain or an aerated septic system (also called an aerated wastewater treatment system, or AWTS). NSW Government regulations require septic systems to be registered with Council. This is necessary so the Council can monitor and manage the overall impact of all of the septic systems in the drainage catchment. Council will usually be asked to undertake an inspection when a property is being sold. Blayney Shire Council uses a simple risk classification to determine supervision levels. The higher the risk, the higher the level of supervision that may be required. Keep any eye on your wastewater treatment system with a self- assessment. Have a look for the following items, if you see any of the following, your system may not be operating at its best (and the quicker you act, the less it could potentially cost you); The air around it smells-usually like rotten egg gas The ground is damp or soggy, or pools form downhill There's lots of dark green grass growing on or around the absorption area The toilet or drains are slow to clear, or keep backing up There are lots of weeds growing downhill from the absorption area, in nearby drainage channels or on the banks of a nearby waterway Ensure the septic tank has been pumped out (de-sludged) in the past 3-5 years To keep your onsite wastewater treatment system healthy make sure that you: Do not drive over or disturb the stormwater diversion contour mounds Council News Blayney Community Financial Assistance Program Round 2-2023/24 Applications for the second round under the 2023/24 Community Financial Assistance Program are open. Local community organisations / individuals are invited to submit an application by 15 March 2024. Applications lodged before 8 March 2024 will be reviewed and applicants will be contacted in the event of any errors or omissions in applications. There are four categories of financial assistance: Recurrent financial assistance Non-recurrent financial assistance (Up to $5,000 and more in exceptional cases) Sporting related financial assistance Flagship annual community project (Up to $25,000 for a major project) Do not build structures or plant trees near on the absorption area, Do not flood the disposal area with sprinklers or hoses Do not drive cars or graze animals near the absorption area Do not place extra topsoil on top of your trench to "soak up' overflowing effluent. If the trench area is soggy or water is pooling over the trench, it's best to call a plumber and have it checked Do not use toxic chemicals in your house. Chemicals like solvents, oils, paints, disinfectants, pesticides, household cleaning products and bleaches can kill the helpful bacteria in your septic system . Do not let the tank get too full Have your tank pumped every 3 to 5 years For more information, please visit Councils website www.blayney.nsw.gov.au or contact us on 6368 2104 Applicants are required to obtain a copy of the guidelines and complete the application form. Document on Public Exhibition Following the December Ordinary Meeting, Council is seeking comment on the following document now on public exhibition: Investment Policy Septic Tank This document is available for viewing and downloading on Council's website www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/your-council/ on-exhibtion Written submissions must be received prior to 5.00pm Friday 2 February 2024. Australia Day BBQ Breakfast and Awards Ceremony Blayney Shire Council is again hosting the Australia Day BBQ Breakfast and Awards Ceremony on Friday 26 January 2024 at Heritage Park in Blayney, commencing at 8.00am. Come along for a traditional Aussie breakfast cooked by Blayney Rotary; meet our 2024 Australia Day Ambassador and see the announcement of Blayney Shire's Australia Day Awards. Please note the wet weather venue in the Blayney Shire Community Centre. Council will not consider requests for financial support (cash or in-kind) outside of this program. Guidelines and application forms are available from Council's website www.blayney.nsw.gov.au or from Council's office. Contact Us Council Office Ph 02 6368 2104 91 Adelaide St, Blayney NSW 2799 council@blayney.nsw.gov.au PO Box 62, Blayney NSW 2799 9.30am-4.00pm Monday to Friday www.blayney.nsw.gov.au Like us on Facebook Search Blayney Shire Council Scan here for the online version A Conversation with the GM Mark Dicker Blayney Shire Council Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems An onsite wastewater treatment system , treat effluent for properties not connected to Council reticulated sewer main ( mainly everywhere except Blayney and Millthorpe ) . Up to 20 per cent of households in regional NSW have an onsite sewage management system , such a traditional septic tank and trench drain or an aerated septic system ( also called an aerated wastewater treatment system , or AWTS ) . NSW Government regulations require septic systems to be registered with Council . This is necessary so the Council can monitor and manage the overall impact of all of the septic systems in the drainage catchment . Council will usually be asked to undertake an inspection when a property is being sold . Blayney Shire Council uses a simple risk classification to determine supervision levels . The higher the risk , the higher the level of supervision that may be required . Keep any eye on your wastewater treatment system with a self assessment . Have a look for the following items , if you see any of the following , your system may not be operating at its best ( and the quicker you act , the less it could potentially cost you ) ; The air around it smells - usually like rotten egg gas The ground is damp or soggy , or pools form downhill There's lots of dark green grass growing on or around the absorption area The toilet or drains are slow to clear , or keep backing up There are lots of weeds growing downhill from the absorption area , in nearby drainage channels or on the banks of a nearby waterway Ensure the septic tank has been pumped out ( de - sludged ) in the past 3-5 years To keep your onsite wastewater treatment system healthy make sure that you : Do not drive over or disturb the stormwater diversion contour mounds Council News Blayney Community Financial Assistance Program Round 2-2023 / 24 Applications for the second round under the 2023/24 Community Financial Assistance Program are open . Local community organisations / individuals are invited to submit an application by 15 March 2024. Applications lodged before 8 March 2024 will be reviewed and applicants will be contacted in the event of any errors or omissions in applications . There are four categories of financial assistance : Recurrent financial assistance Non - recurrent financial assistance ( Up to $ 5,000 and more in exceptional cases ) Sporting related financial assistance Flagship annual community project ( Up to $ 25,000 for a major project ) Do not build structures or plant trees near on the absorption area , Do not flood the disposal area with sprinklers or hoses Do not drive cars or graze animals near the absorption area Do not place extra topsoil on top of your trench to " soak up ' overflowing effluent . If the trench area is soggy or water is pooling over the trench , it's best to call a plumber and have it checked Do not use toxic chemicals in your house . Chemicals like solvents , oils , paints , disinfectants , pesticides , household cleaning products and bleaches can kill the helpful bacteria in your septic system . Do not let the tank get too full Have your tank pumped every 3 to 5 years For more information , please visit Councils website www.blayney.nsw.gov.au or contact us on 6368 2104 Applicants are required to obtain a copy of the guidelines and complete the application form . Document on Public Exhibition Following the December Ordinary Meeting , Council is seeking comment on the following document now on public exhibition : Investment Policy Septic Tank This document is available for viewing and downloading on Council's website www.blayney.nsw.gov.au/your-council/ on - exhibtion Written submissions must be received prior to 5.00pm Friday 2 February 2024 . Australia Day BBQ Breakfast and Awards Ceremony Blayney Shire Council is again hosting the Australia Day BBQ Breakfast and Awards Ceremony on Friday 26 January 2024 at Heritage Park in Blayney , commencing at 8.00am . Come along for a traditional Aussie breakfast cooked by Blayney Rotary ; meet our 2024 Australia Day Ambassador and see the announcement of Blayney Shire's Australia Day Awards . Please note the wet weather venue in the Blayney Shire Community Centre . Council will not consider requests for financial support ( cash or in - kind ) outside of this program . Guidelines and application forms are available from Council's website www.blayney.nsw.gov.au or from Council's office . Contact Us Council Office Ph 02 6368 2104 91 Adelaide St , Blayney NSW 2799 council@blayney.nsw.gov.au PO Box 62 , Blayney NSW 2799 9.30am - 4.00pm Monday to Friday www.blayney.nsw.gov.au Like us on Facebook Search Blayney Shire Council Scan here for the online version