Public Health
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The Berri Barmera Council has a number of responsibilities relating to public and environmental health which are primarily dealt with by our Environmental Health Officer (EHO). Enquires regarding the following health issues can be directed to our Environmental Health Officer at ‘contact us’
FOOD SAFETYCouncil EHO regularly conducts food business inspections of all premises to ensure adequate standards are met and acceptable food handling techniques used when preparing food for human consumption. Food operators must comply with the relevant legislative requirements which include:
More information regarding legislation and policies with respect to food can be found at the Department of Health Food Safety index
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Food Business Notification
New food businesses are required to notify Council before commencement of operation and complete a Food Business Notification Form. Notification only needs to be completed once unless the food business details change. To notify complete and return the form Food Business Notification
(55 kb) and return it to Council.
Further information regarding the notification requirements can be found at Department of Health Website.
Waste Control Systems
EHO's assess applications and approve all sanitary plumbing, septic tanks and effluent disposal system installations. Prior to any work commencing a formal approval must be granted from the Council. All plumbing work must be carried out by a licensed plumber.
Applications are assessed pursuant to the SA Health Commissions Standard for the Installation of Septic Tanks in South Australia. Copies of this Standard can be downloaded along with application forms and other useful information.
Application Form Septic Tank(145 kb)
Application Form Aerobic(136 kb)
EHO's also attend to complaints with respect to failed waste control systems.
Septic Tank Desludging
As part of the operating and maintenance of Council's Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS), Council provides a septic tank desludging program. Properties within the townships of Berri, Barmera, Monash, Cobdogla, Loveday and Glossop are connected to CWMS. To prevent sludge passing into Council drains, our contractors attend each property on a programmed basis to remove accumulated sludge from the tanks.
Refer to the CWMS fact sheet(243 kb) for further information on septic tank desludging and other effluent issues.
Immunisation Records
Council provides the school based immunisation program at the Glossop High School and Riverland Special School for year 8 and year 9 students.
The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register holds records of immunisations given to children in Australia. To access your child's records, call 1800 653 809.
Mosquito Control
Mosquitoes are a natural part of our environment. They can be a nuisance, and when they bite, some can spread serious disease such as Ross River virus or Barmah Forest virus infections. Both infections can be debilitating to humans and symptoms can include rash, flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headaches, joint and muscle pains (swelling or stiffness), fatigue, depression and being generally unwell. Using simple personal and household protection measures allows us to live with mosquitoes and reduce the risk of disease.
More information can be found at the Department of Health website.
Council has in place a mosquito surveillance and control program. The program is coordinated by Council's EHO in collaboration with the University of South Australia's Mosquito Research Laboratory. Mosquito breeding sites are monitored for mosquito activity and treated if necessary.
European Wasp Nest Destruction
If you have located a European wasp nest, contact Council to arrange for the nest to be removed. Councils contractors to remove the nest from council land and/or private property.
Please refer to the European Wasp brochure for more information.
Safe Drinking Water & Rainwater Tanks
Please refer to water quality fact sheet for more information.
General Health Issues
Council EHO's regularly inspect public swimming pools and spa pools, hairdressing, body piercing, tattooing and beauty therapy establishments to ensure adequate standards are achieved and maintained by proprietors.
Advice can also be provided to assist you with questions or complaints regarding substandard housing, head lice and other general environmental health issues.
Please refer to Public health fact sheets for more information.