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Mobile food business centralised register
The mobile food business centralised register is nearing finalisation. The register is designed to support local governments to manage the administration and compliance matters for mobile food businesses that travel across jurisdictions, including temporary food premises, mobile food vans, markets stalls and caterers. Only local governments that sign and submit a Memorandum of Understanding can access the register. Details have been circulated to the CEO's of all local governments to promote participation. Read more here. It is anticipated the register will be live from the 1 August 2021. EHO's are encouraged to organise and email MOU's to the Food Vendor Administrator.
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Commencement of local government annual reporting
The 2020-21 annual performance reporting for local government enforcement agencies required under the Food Act and Public Health Act has commenced. A letter advising of the reporting requirements, which includes the reporting questions and updated Guideline have recently been circulated to all local government CEOs. Final reports must be submitted to the EHD by 31 August 2021 using the online reporting form. Updated details of the reporting process are also available on local government reporting webpage.
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Customer service and stakeholder engagement charter
The Environmental Health Directorate has published a Customer Service and Stakeholder Engagement Charter that sets out our commitment to exceptional customer service and the level of engagement that Western Australians can expect from our team. This includes timeframes for responding to queries, licences and other applications, and formal environmental health advice.
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Updated regulatory food safety auditing framework
The EHD has reviewed the Regulatory Food Safety Auditing Framework and is currently transitioning the dairy sector (of which the Department of Health is the enforcement agency) into the regulatory food safety auditing framework. Separate guidelines/information have been created for each sector involved in the regulatory food safety auditing system including:
The main changes that local government need to be aware of can be found on the regulatory food safety auditing enforcement agencies webpage.
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Findings of the fruit and vegetable chemical residue survey
An infographic provides a summary of the results of the 2020 Chemical Monitoring Survey of Local Producers compliance with chemical residue limits set under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Key learnings from the survey have also been included in the infographic to share information with enforcement agencies and to inform future survey designs and sample collection procedures. Read the full report here or refer to the food monitoring programs webpage. The Department of Health would like to thank local government EHOs for their participation in the survey and for sharing investigation findings.
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New food sample collection guideline
The collection of food and swab samples plays a key role in investigating food borne illness outbreaks. Samples of any leftover foods, foods prepared in the same manner as implicated foods or any other foods of interest are tested for bacteria including Salmonella, Listeria, Bacillus cereus, E.coli and total plate counts. Swabs can also be used to collect samples of bacteria on surfaces such as preparation benches, utensils and equipment which are also tested for the presence of pathogens. To support EHOs with investigations a new Food Sampling Equipment and Collection Guideline provides further information about the equipment to use, how to collect a sample and suggested types of samples. The guide is accessed from the Food-borne disease outbreak investigation webpage. Equipment Order Forms, Food Sample Submission Forms and further information can be obtained from Pathwest.
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Keeping backyard chickens factsheet
A new factsheet has been released, providing tips on preventing food poisoning when keeping backyard chickens. With householders choosing to keep backyard chickens, brings with it the increase risk of Salmonella found in the chickens, eggs, and chicken coops. Local governments and other organisations are encouraged to promote the factsheet to the public to help to reduce Salmonella. The factsheet is available on the Eggs page of the HealthyWA website.
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Test your knowledge - Egg safety quiz
The rates of Salmonella food borne illness in WA are startling to slowly decline, however outbreaks related to the use and handling of eggs are still occurring. To help continue raising awareness and provide education about safe egg handling practices, the the EHD has complied an Egg Safety Quiz. The quiz can be completed by EHO’s and food businesses and aims to convey key egg safety facts which when understood may help identify opportunities to reduce contamination of food with Salmonella. The quiz is also available on the safe handling of raw egg products webpage. After completing the quiz you will be provided your score. Any queries email Food Safety.
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Free online allergen training for food businesses
All about allergens is a free online training course developed to help everyone working in food service, from the manager through to the food preparation and food service staff. The training will help food service staff to be aware of the risks food allergy poses, help identify and manage food allergens and provide help on how to respond to enquiries from customers with food allergy. Free downloadable resources including a food allergen menu matrix template, are also available.
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Transitional restrictions in effect for Perth and Peel
Transitional restrictions are in effect from Tuesday, 6 July 2021 until 12.01am Monday, 12 July 2021 for Perth and Peel, as WA continues a safe and sensible pathway to pre-lockdown life. A range of restrictions are still in place, detailed on the WA Government website and the Outbreak Restrictions (Transitional) Directions.
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Contact tracing compliance checks by EHOs
From January 2021, local government EHO's were provided powers to check compliance of local businesses with mandatory COVID contact registers, and were requested to report the number of compliance checks to WA Police on a weekly basis. A recent media article outlines the number of businesses inspected for compliance and cautions issued by Perth metropolitan councils since January. Data also summarises the number of check-ins of the SafeWA app. since December 2019. Read more here.
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Public health planning support to local governments
A written agreement between the Department of Health and the Health Services Provides, was published in July 2020, outlining the provision of support to local governments with the public health planning process by the WA Health system. It is important that local governments partner with the Population Health Units from the local Health Service Provider at the very early stages of initiating the planning process to discuss what support services are on offer.
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Requesting free health data to support local government health profiles
Local governments who initiate the development of their public health plan can request a free copy of health data to support the creation of health profiles. Contact the Population Health Unit from your local Health Service Provider; North, South or East Metropolitan Health Services or WA Country Health Services, who can provide a copy of the data for free and discuss other public health planning support services on offer. Refer to the public health planning webpage for contact details and area maps.
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Busselton wastewater workshop
The EHD would like to thank the City of Busselton and the South-West Environmental Health Regional Group for hosting the recent Assessment of Site and Soil Evaluation Reports workshop. Approximately 45 people attended the event - refer to Photo 1 and photo 2. Feedback from the event was positive and will help to improve the quality of the future workshops. Remember to register for the 27 August Perth Site and Soil Evaluation Reports Workshop - Register here.
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Assessment of environmental noise emissions guideline - public comment
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is seeking public comment on the draft Guideline: Assessment of environmental noise emissions. The guideline sets out the department's information requirements for the analysis of noise emission impact for prescribed premises, and will apply to all applications for a works approval or licence (including amendments) under Part V of the EP Act with an identified noise emission component. The guideline also provides technical support for environmental impact assessment of proposals under Part IV of the EP Act and consideration of noise emissions from premises that are not prescribed premises. Submissions are due by 10 September 2021.
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Sustainable Health Review webinar
The Sustainable Health Review provides an ambitious blueprint for reforming the Western Australian health system over the next decade. Join the Public Health Association Australia WA Branch with guest speakers from the Department of Health on 13 July, 12:30pm to 1:15pm, to receive an update on the implementation of the Sustainable Health Review. Register here.
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National Regulators Community of Practice webinar
The National Regulators Community of Practice (NRCoP) is a leader in education and government-focused research relevant to the public sector, who offer a range of webinars of interest to government. Recent webinars of interest include:
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COVID vaccination clinic for Aboriginal people
The Derbarl Yerrigan Health clinics will run COVID vaccination clinics for Aboriginal people aged 16 years and over through July. People should ring the clinic on 9421 3888 to book and find out what type of vaccinations are available, or find an appropriate vaccination clinic via Vaccine Eligibility Checker. The following resources help to explain about the COVID vaccines and the importance of getting vaccinated:
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Local Government Environmental Health Initiatives
Promoting local government environmental health initiatives across WA.
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Successful prosecution following the sale of majijuana laced brownies
The City of Stirling Environmental Health team were involved in the successful prosecution of the Bada Bing Café, where the owner was found guilty of selling marijuana-laced brownies to a family, including two young children, who ended up in hospital with cannabis intoxication. The conviction was for two counts of selling food that is unsuitable under s18(2) of the Food Act 2008. The owner was fined $15,000 and ordered to pay $25,000 in costs. Read more here.
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Town of Bassendean engaging with the community
The Town of Bassendean have been engaging with the local community in the development of their first public health plan. This has included online surveys as well as attending a number of venues such as the local shopping centre to ask the community about exactly what health services should be delivered and what public health outcomes can be achieved. Copies of the survey were printed and made available at the Town's Customer Services Centre, Bassendean Library, Seniors and Disabilities Services, Volunteer Centre and Youth Centre, in order to capture those who may not be online, and were emailed to local schools, churches, RSL, community groups, regular hall hirers, child care centres, aged care centre and sporting groups to encourage participation.
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Serpentine-Jarrahdale releases their Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020-2024
The Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale released their Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020-2024, identifying three core outcomes:
- Growing healthy and active lifestyles together
- Growing connected and inclusive communities together
- Growing safe and sustainable environments together
The Shire also partnered with the Cities of Armadale and Gosnells in 2017 and published A guide to free outdoor exercise opportunities to promote exercise within the three local governments.
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Shire of Mundaring Public Health Plan
The Shire of Mundaring has released their Community Health and Wellbeing Informing Strategy 2020- 2025 identifying six core goals:
- Proactively support positive mental health promotion in individuals and the community
- Empowering and enabling our people and community to make healthy lifestyle choices
- Prevention and control of infectious disease
- Building and maintaining safe places to live, work and play
- Protecting the community by encouraging a healthy environment
- Regulate and manage the built and natural environments to support sustainable and healthy living
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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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Events and professional development opportunities
Managing fire damaged asbestos risks in local government (online only), 9am to 11am, 20 July 2021 Details here.
Assessment of site and soil evaluation reports workshop, Perth, Maylands, 9am to 3pm, 27 August 2021 Details here.
5 day Mosquito Management Course, Mandurah, September 2022 (dates to be confirmed)
Environmental Health Australia (WA) Conference, Perth, 9am to 5pm, 23-26 February 2022, Details here
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Department of Health website
Environmental Health Codes of Practice
Environmental Health legislation
Disaster and emergency management
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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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About the Environmental Health Directorate
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Our Customer Service and Stakeholder Engagement Charter.
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