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EH webinar - Food safety management systems and horticulture standards
The Environmental Health Directorate will host a webinar on Tuesday 15 November, 9:00am to 11:00am on:
- Food safety management systems - what are they and when are they required? WA's regulatory food safety auditing systems, responsibilities of food business versus enforcement agencies and enforcement agency verification requirements.
- Horticulture standards - food safety measures in the proposed primary production and processing standards for berries, leafy vegetables and melons and its implementation plan.
This webinar is aimed at Environmental Health Officers / authorised officers in local government. Register here. |
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Aboriginal environmental health program review
A review of the Aboriginal Environmental Health Program was completed by UWA’s School of Population Health in collaboration with Think Culture. The review explored the public health interest and perceived value of the program to Aboriginal people living in WA now and into the future. The Department of Health has funded environmental health activities in remote Aboriginal communities for many years, responding to long-standing need and perceived value. The completed review includes a main report and an options paper which provides a range of recommendations to better support the program into the future. Refer to the Aboriginal environmental health webpage for more details. |
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Annual performance reporting - local government
Local Government enforcement agencies are required to report to the Department of Health on their performance of functions under the Food Act 2008 (section 121) and the Public Health Act 2016 (section 22). Communications have been circulated to all local governments including:
Reports must be submitted by the 31 August 2022.
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Optional performance reporting - local government
Local governments are requested to complete the optional reporting for 2021-22. The survey includes questions about each of the environmental health risk areas and is likely to inform the instrument used for future mandatory reporting under the Public Health Act 2016. Communications have been circulated to all local governments including:
In consideration of the size of the optional questions submissions are not due until 31 October 2022. The purpose of the wide range of survey questions is to better inform local governments with useful data collated by the Department to assist with public health planning, to compare the management of environmental health risks across the local government sector and to promote the role and importance of environmental health officers. Reports are published on the annual performance reporting for local government webpage. Feedback on the report and questions in the optional reporting survey is encouraged and can be emailed to Public Health Act. The more local governments that contribute to this survey, the better the ability to provide meaningful comparisons and analysis.
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Environmental Health local government indicators summary reports 2019-20
In 2019-2020 local governments were requested to report on a range of environmental health regulatory functions and environmental health risk management activities. Reports summarising the data for WA regions are now available:
These reports are available on the annual performance reporting for local government webpage. Local governments are encouraged to complete the optional reporting again for 2021-22. Feedback on the reports can be emailed to Public Health Act. |
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Health effects of wood smoke
Residential wood smoke is produced from wood heaters, open fire places and back yard burning. Some members of the community can experience health effects of wood smoke which can be reduced with the correct operation of wood heaters. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation BurnWise program promotes the efficient operation of domestic wood heaters to minimise smoke emissions into the air. A correctly operated wood heater should not produce visible smoke, except for a short time on lighting. Read the burnwise factsheet for more information.
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EOI for local government representatives
The Department is currently seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably experienced candidates to serve as the local government representatives on the Mosquito Control Advisory Committee (MCAC). Three positions are available, representing northern WA, southern WA and Perth Metro/Peel region. Your representation on the committee will help to inform mosquito management across the State. For more information, please read the draft Terms of Reference and submit an EOI Form by 5pm, 22 July 2022.
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CLAG forum
On 16 th June the EHD held the 10 th annual Combined CLAG Forum. The Forum was well attended by 61 representatives from 34 local governments (LGs) throughout WA. The format was modified this year to increase regional representation, with non-CLAG LGs invited to attend and online capability introduced. The theme of the first session was Japanese encephalitis. The second session was dedicated to LG mosquito management programs and initiatives. The evaluation results indicate that the CLAG Forum remains a valuable and highly informative event and will continue to be held on an annual basis into the future. We thank the City of Cockburn for their hospitality.
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Joint Food Regulation horizon scan
The Australia New Zealand Food Regulatory System (the System) is currently undergoing its most significant reform and modernisation effort since its inception in the 2000s. In December 2021, Food Ministers agreed to key actions to progress the reform agenda. One of the agreed actions was to develop and deploy a new strategic planning process that would support a regular reset of the System’s strategic direction. It was agreed that this would be done via a new, more inclusive and transparent way. The development of this ‘Horizon Scan’ is the first step in this new planning process. The Horizon Scan takes a broad view of the wide food system challenges and opportunities. Read more here.
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Food Regulatory System in transition - stakeholder engagement forum
The purpose of the General Stakeholder Engagement Forums is to engage with a broad range of stakeholders to improve stakeholder understanding of the Food Regulatory System and encourage more active engagement with its processes. The next General Stakeholder Engagement Forum will be held on 19 July 2022. All stakeholders that subscribe to regular food regulation news and updates will receive the invitation. Registration for this event closes 5pm AEST Monday 11 July 2022. To register, email the Food Regulation Secretariat. View the event flyer.
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Disclosure of asbestos in residential properties campaign
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency (ASEA) has launched a national campaign on the importance of disclosing the presence of asbestos in residential properties when buying, selling, renting or leasing. As a part of the campaign, ASEA have developed new resources that can be used and adapted by Local Governments to inform residents of the benefits of disclosing the presence of asbestos on a property. Resources include:
Refer to the Stakeholder Campaign Pack for more details. |
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National strategic plan for asbestos awareness and management
The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency, along with the Australian States and Territories, are working to the National strategic plan for asbestos awareness and management 2019-2023 (NSP). The NSP ensures there is a nationally consistent and coordinated approach to asbestos awareness, management and removal. The plan outlines a phased approach to eliminating asbestos-related diseases in Australia. WorkSafe WA has developed a range of information to assist State and Local Government agencies to report on the NSP targets. Read more here.
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Local government environmental health initatives
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City of Belmont's successful prosecution for non-compliance with Food Standards
The City of Belmont were recently involved in the successful prosecution of a non-compliant food business with Standards 3.2.2. Penalties of $100,000 plus costs were imposed. The prosecution received significant media attention. Read the notification of conviction for further details. Local governments are required to notify the Department of Health of prosecutions under the Food Act 2008. Read more here.
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We need your help to identify environmental health initiatives and examples of case studies, consumer awareness and surveillance programs happening across WA local governments. Email EH Stakeholder Engagement with information on yours or another local governments projects worthy of promoting in the e-News. |
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Contact us
The Environmental Health Directorate switchboard can be contacted on
(08) 9222 2000 or email ehinfo@health.wa.gov.au
The Department of Health head office switchboard is (08) 9222 4222
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Order publications online
A selection of hard copy Environmental Health Directorate resources can be ordered online using the Department of Health’s online publication ordering system. Create an account and enter the search category "environmental health". Read the how to place an order for more info.
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Department of Health website - Environmental Health related webpages
Environmental Health Codes of Practice
Environmental Health legislation
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About the Environmental Health Directorate
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