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Updated Guidelines for concerts, events and organised gatherings
The updated Guidelines for Concerts, Events and Organised Gatherings 2022 prescribe requirements for concerts, events and organised gatherings to ensure that events and mass gatherings are safe for patrons, do not disturb neighbouring properties and provide uniformity of events and gatherings throughout WA . The Guidelines replace the 2009 version, identifying basic standards and safety measures for event organisers to satisfy authorities including local government, Police and emergency response organisations. The Guidelines include new sections on drones, infection control, counter terrorism, crowd care and peer support. Updates were made to WA's disaster response, medical and first aid, lasers and pyrotechnics, sanitary facilities, and accessible events. Read more here. |
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Updated online event registration form
The online event registration form has been updated to improve reporting of all public and private events with more than 500 patrons before they proceed. This form is to be completed by the event organiser. Event registrations are used to generate the WA Event Calendar. The information is provided to hospitals and other emergency services to ensure a coordinated, comprehensive response when high risk, multiple or concurrent events are expected in a location which would otherwise have the potential to impact on local services. The calendar is updated weekly to ensure hospitals, and other health and emergency services can roster staff appropriately during times of greater demand.
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Chief Health Officer communique on the Public Health Act
The Chief Health Officer has issued a communique on the progress of Stages 4 and Stage 5 of the Public Health Act 2016. COVID 19 has impacted the work program and schedule to implement the final stages of the Public Health Act 2016. Read more here.
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Food Safety Management Tools standard gazetted
Standard 3.2.2A - Food Safety Management Tools (FSMT) was gazetted on the 8 December 2022. This means after the 12 month transitional period the Standard will be enforceable on 8 December 2023. Local governments are responsible for enforcing the Standard in accordance with the Food Act 2008. The new regulatory measures require food handler training, a food safety supervisor and evidence to substantiate food safety management of key processes, depending on whether the business is a category one or two food service business. A range of training tools will be available to support local governments and food service businesses over the coming months. These resources will be updated on the Food Safety Management Tools for EH Practitioners webpage. Food Safe Australia has added a new chapter 2.2.2A guidance and new FSANZ infobites. A seminar and a webinar will be hosted during February 2023 for local governments providing an overview of the new requirements.
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Food Safety Management Tools seminar
The EHD will host a seminar on Tuesday 28th February 2023 at Grace Vaughan House, 233 Stubbs Terrace Shenton Park, 9:00am to 11:00am on Standard 3.2.2A Food Safety Management Tools for local government Environmental Health Practitioners. Register here. This will be an in-person event only. An additional seminar will be hosted in Margaret River on the 17 March 2023 in partnership with the South West EH Regional Group. Further details will be provided in the new year.
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Food safety webinar recordings
Presentations from the November EHD webinar series are now online to watch in your own time. These include:
Both presentations are also accessible from our library of webinar recordings under Food.
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Food Ministers Meeting communique
The Food Ministers met on the 25 November to consider food regulation and policy matters. Ministers remain committed to the 3 priorities of the Food Regulation System:
- Reducing foodborne illness, particularly related to Campylobacter and Salmonella.
- Supporting the public health objectives to reduce chronic disease related to overweight and obesity.
- Maintaining a strong, robust and agile Food Regulation System through an ambitious reform agenda, to be progressed in conjunction with the review of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991.
Read the communique for further information. Subscribe to receive updates here.
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Job opportunity: Managing Scientist Chemical Hazards
The Environmental Health Directorate of the WA Health Department is recruiting to fill a key senior technical and management role of Managing Scientist Chemical Hazards. This position is responsible for leading and managing the Chemical Hazards team and functions and contributing to the strategic and business planning of the Directorate. It leads programs undertaken by the Environmental Health Directorate to manage and provide expert advice on public health risks from environmental hazards. Read more here. |
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2023 Environmental Health webinar series
With 2023 just around the corner make sure you lock in dates for our environmental health webinar series. Topics will be confirmed closer to the event.
- Tuesday 14 March 2023, 9am to 11am - Skin penetration
- Tuesday 4 July 2023, 9am to 11am
- Tuesday 7 November, 9am to 11am
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New heatwave warning system for WA
A new heatwave warning system is now available for WA, alongside consumer information on how to stay safe before, during and after a heatwave. The new system will align with bushfire warning messaging to provide consistency and clarity for Western Australians. Heatwave alerts in WA will be broadcast on the following channels:
There will typically be up to 4 days warning leading up to a heatwave The alert system will direct affected community members to health advice on HealthyWA (external site). Watched the Heatwave Warning System video for more information.
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The difference between an STS and AWTS
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What to do with non-compliant aquatic facility water quality results
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Per-and poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances
Concerns have been rasied following the discovery of a PFAS plume around Jandakot airport and possible impacts to adjacent residents who do not have access to main water supply. The EHD has been liaising with the Jandakot airport and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to support residents impacted by the findings. Information on PFAS has been updated online:
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National community of regulators seminar
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Mosquito-borne disease quarterly report
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Legionella response protocol
Local government authorised officers play a crucial role in investigating outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease. The main aim of a public health response is to stop an outbreak by ensuring that cooling towers and other possible sources of infection suspected to be the cause of the outbreak are identified and managed as quickly as possible. Refer to the Legionalla webpage and Investigating Legionnaires Disease guideline for local government guide for more information. |
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Regional health profiles
The WA Country Health Service has released the 2022 Health Profiles for the regional Health Service Providers. The reports provide an overview of the population, geography, health risk factors and health activity of each and its Health Districts and identify some of the key health issues and needs of its population. The profiles aim to provide a guide to inform health service review, planning and evaluation and help address disadvantage and inequity in rural and remote healthcare.
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End of year closure
The EHD and the Department of Health Royal Street office will be closed between Christmas and New year – Monday December 26 December 2022 to Monday 2 January 2023, reopening on Tuesday 3 January 2023. The switchboard will not be operational during this time. An on-call duty officer will be available to support management of any urgent high risk environmental health issues. A phone line will remain open for urgent licensing enquiries. Further details on the phone line can be obtained by calling (08) 9222 2000 during the closure period. Please note that this closure period may delay the processing of Environmental Health related approvals, licences, registrations, permits and notifications submitted after 28 November 2022 by a further 7 business days. Read the PathWest reminder about their closure times during the holiday period.
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No e-news during January
We will not be releasing this e-news during January 2023 while many of our staff take a well deserved break over summer. Never fear we will be back to share all things environmental health in February. From everyone at the Environmental Health Directorate we wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe and relaxing new year.
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Local government initiatives
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City of Vincent introduces smoke free zones
The City of Vincent recently launched its smoke-free town centres, an initiative identified as part of its Public Health Plan 2020-2025. Residents and visitors can enjoy fresh air, free from smoking and vaping in five smoke-free areas, which include parts of North Perth, Mt Hawthorn, Leederville, William Street and Beaufort Street. The project aims to reduce community exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and create healthy environments, free from smoking and vaping in popular entertainment precincts. Learn more here. If you’re a local government interested in becoming smoke-free, apply for Healthy Communities funding for support. |
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Shire of Cranbrook Public Health Plan 2022-2026
- Advocate: Support and promte awareness of matters concerning public health
- Partner: Develop and maintain parternships both internall and externally
- Deliver: Provide services that improve public health within the community
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Shire of Gnowangerup Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2022-2026
- Our community
- Our economy
- Our infrastructure
- Our natural environment
- Our organisation
and introduces a new theme:
6. Our health
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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
National regulators community of practice: COVID-19 Legitimacy, trust and compliance, City of Vincent and online, 14 December 2022 Details here
The importance of air flow in indoor air quality assessments, online, 16 December Details here
Food safety management tools seminar, Shenton Park, 28 February 2023 Details here
Skin penetration - Regulatory controls and new procedures, online, 7 March 2023 Details here
Environmental Health events, training and webinars
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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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