The Guidelines for Assessment, Remediation and Management of Asbestos Contaminated Sites in WA has been updated to incorporate community expectations and concerns regarding the management of asbestos.The intent of the Guidelines is to ensure that asbestos contaminated sites are identified early and managed effectively. The Guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the contaminated sites guidelines prepared by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

WA seminar on the guidelines for managing asbestos in soil
A seminar will be held on Friday 26 November 1:30pm-4pm to provide an update on the revised Guidelines for the assessment, remediation and management of asbestos contaminated sites. The seminar will be held at the Department of Health,189 Royal St, East Perth or online. Although in person attendance is recommended, video conferencing is also available. Register here.

Regulatory food safety audits update
The EHD has been asked by both local government and Regulatory Food Safety Auditors (based outside WA) whether due to COVID-19 restrictions regulatory food safety audits can be carried out remotely. Currently the EHD is not allowing remote audits and would expect the business involved to seek an alternative regulatory food safety auditor from the list of approved WA regulatory food safety auditors. For general advice on regulatory food safety auditing, enforcement agencies can refer to regulatory food safety auditing for enforcement agencies.

Navigating the registration and notification requirements for primary production food businesses including meat, poultry, dairy, shellfish and eggs, as well as vulnerable populations can often be confusing. The Local Government and Department of Health food business responsibilities table is a quick reference tool to clarify the requirements, and includes the primary regulatory requirements for various business activities under the Food Act 2008 and Food Standards Code. The table is available at:

• EH Practitioners - Registration licensing and notifications by local government
• Food business homepage - Registration of a food business

Email feedback to Food Safety.

Mosquito numbers in the south west have increased significantly over recent weeks. Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses have also been detected in mosquitoes in the region. Local governments are encouraged to scale up mosquito management and community awareness efforts, where possible, to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease transmission. This is particularly important during school holidays, when the region is inundated with tourists. For more information, see the Department's latest media statement - Fight the bite - mosquito alert for South West region.

Another edition of the EHD's biannual Pesticide Safety e-news was released to provide information to pest management technicians and pest management businesses on pesticide safety matters. Key topics include changes to WA training and licensing requirements, storing and transporting pesticides and a new pesticide safety quiz to test your knowledge. Subscribe here to receive future newsletters. 

All recycled water schemes in WA are required to submit an annual report by 30 September each year. Annual reports are required in accordance with the Guidelines for the Non-Potable Uses of Recycled Water in WA and conditions of each scheme approval. Appendix K of the Recycled Water Quality Management Plan Template can be used as a template for an annual report. Submissions with minor delays are also accepted. Please email reports and any queries to wwalert@health.wa.gov.au. 

Over 120 people attended the August Assessment of Site and Soil Evaluation Reports Workshop including industry representatives, consultants and local governments. The event was well received and feedback indicated requests for further training opportunities. The next workshop is scheduled for 22 October 2021 and will be held in the City of Albany. Register here. View workshop photos one, two and three. 

With increased road travellers and the regional tourism boom across WA, it is a good time to review the number and maintenance of existing wastewater dump points located within a local district. Local Governments should consider deploying extra dump points at strategic locations to cater for the wastewater disposal demand from self-contained caravans and to minimise potential public health risks. Refer to the Department's website for further information.

The Shire of Dardanup released their draft Public Health Plan 2021 - 2025, a plan to protect, improve and promote public health and wellbeing amongst all residents of the Shire of Dardanup. The Plan identifies three priority areas: 

The Plan was formally adopted by Council as a draft and approved for public comment, as detailed in the Public Notice.