Do I need council approval for a composting toilet?

Your local council may have reasons as to why a composting toilet isn't suitable for their region

You are free to make your own decision regarding the type of treatment system you want to have. If you intend to obtain council approval for your home you will need to submit a development application. Part of this will involve the treatment of your black and greywater.

The council should approve your chosen system provided that the system is state government approved and the site is suitable. In rare cases, issues can arise with any system, however, expensive and elaborate, depending on soil type, size of block and proximity to watercourses and bores. However, in principle, the council does not have the right to object to a composting toilet system as long as it is state-approved.

We regularly hear of councils trying to persuade people to install aerated water treatment systems (AWTS), rather than a composting toilet and separate greywater treatment. The plumbing officer may also not understand the importance of the non-urbanised community of water self-sufficiency and the benefit to your land of the end product of a composting toilet. Nor is the council concerned about the energy consumption of an AWTS (two electrical pumps) and the chlorinated water that ends up on your land. This is particularly important for off-grid properties.

Should your council prevent you from installing a state-approved composting toilet we will happily provide you with the documentation for our eco toilets that are certified to Australian Standards.