Environmental Health Australia (SA) Inc Murraylands & Riverland Regional SIG Meeting Minutes Location: Waikerie Council Office, Strangman Rd Waikerie Date: Friday 31st August 2018 Time: 10:00am Chairperson: Emily Smith (Rural City of Murray Bridge) Minute taker: Dara Frankel (DC of Loxton Waikerie) 1. Welcome Emily welcomed members to the Murraylands & Riverland Regional SIG meeting. 2. Confirmation of previous minutes The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed as a true and correct record Moved: Rebecca Burton (Berri Barmera Council) Seconded: Thomas McKellar (Mid Murray Council) 3. Present: Joel Bray (Barossa Council), Jeremy Byrnes (Rural City of Murray Bridge), Emily Smith (Rural City of Murray Bridge), Kaylie Baker (Wakefield Regional Council), Thomas McKellar (Mid Murray Council), Caroline Thomas (Coorong District Council), Rebecca Burton (Berri Barmera Council), Dara Frankel (DC of Loxton Waikerie), Ian Miller (EHO Contractor) and Katina Nikas (Renmark Paringa Council) 4. Apologies: Julie Savill (Rural City of Murray Bridge & Mid Murray Council) and Phil Eckert (Rural City of Murray Bridge) 5. Guest presenters 5.1 Nil 6. Items for Discussion 6.1 AWTS Service Agents: The supply of service reports from AWTS agents was noted by one Council to take up to one year after the date of service. It was suggested that this feedback be provided to SA Health to be considered in the review of the Onsite Wastewater Code that timeframes be provided for reports to be submitted to Councils. Action: Kaylie Baker to provide feedback to SA Health that timeframes be considered in the review of the Code for the supply of service reports by agents to Council. Consistent issues across all Councils regarding irrigation areas not being installed. The difficulties in enforcing the installation of irrigation areas due to time restraints and costs were discussed by the group. 6.2 Wastewater Engineers: Challenges with wastewater engineer reports continuing to combine the Code and Australian Standard, or not meeting the design requirements was discussed. It was suggested that SA Health lead this issue on behalf of EHOs where engineers are not meeting the Code criteria in reports. A discussion was held regarding engineers not on the NER register. EHOs are continuing to ensure reports are signed off by registered engineers. Actions: - Rebecca to provide feedback to SA Health regarding their leadership in reminding engineers that wastewater reports must meet the criteria in the Code - Rebecca to develop, in conjunction with SA Health, a flowchart to guide engineers to 1 meet the reporting criteria requirements 6.3 Water Industry Act Discussion: Confusion existed amongst the group regarding the Water Industry Act. One Council is seeking legal advice on when to use either the Water Industry Act or Public Health Act in instances involving Council’s sewer system. Action: Katina to share advice regarding the administration of the Water Industry Act and Public Health Act. 6.4 Food Safety Rating Scheme Survey: Rural City of Murray Bridge is involved in the Rating Scheme and starting to promote it to food businesses through social media. Other Councils not previously involved are considering their involvement dependent on availability of resources. 6.5 Skin Penetration Mobile Businesses: Pop-up piercing event was held at a tattoo premises in one Council area which was seen on social media. It was discussed how Councils be better positioned to be informed of these events prior to happening. Action: Rebecca will email concerns to SA Heath regarding the need for registration and notification in the area of skin penetration and tattooing. 6.6 Mosquito Trial Program & Funding Subsidy 2018-19: Most Councils have submitted their mosquito subsidies for 2018-2019. All Councils are engaging the services of University of SA for their mosquito surveillance and larvae control at monitoring sites in 2018/19. 6.7 DEWNR Flooding Events: Postponed to next meeting 6.8 Hoarding & Squalor Networks: It was identified the limited network linkages to mental health and social services when dealing with hoarding and squalor. Networks exist in some regions but not known in the Murraylands & Riverland area. Action: Dara, Rebecca and Katina to raise the issue of a regional network of support for hoarding and squalor at the next MRLGA Regional Public Health Plan Committee meeting. 7. Business Arising from Previous Minutes 7.1 ECOC’s Update: Some Councils are receiving Gas COCs electronically, however Council has no jurisdiction of this area. Uncertainly whether they should be kept or deleted, depending on Council’s record policy. Most Councils are receiving plumbing ECOCs. 7.2 Mozzie Monitors Update: postponed to next meeting 7.3 AWTS Servicing Training for EHOs: postponed to next meeting 7.4 Food Safety Training Needs for EHOs: It was requested that members provide suggestions for future training needs that can be provided to Karen Ferres at SA Health. Allergens and emerging foods were suggested . Action: Rebecca to provide response on food safety training needs to Karen. 7.5 Winery Production: Councils present at the meeting are not taking up the inspection of wineries. It was noted that EHOs were unsure how to conduct an inspection, including what to look for in their operations.. Action: Katina to speak to local winery regarding a tour (1 hour) for EHOs to better understand the operations of a winery 2 8. Standing Items 8.1 2020 Conference Tailem Bend: A sub-committee needs to be set up to start planning for this event. Action: Caroline to establish a sub-committee for the 2020 Conference Tailem Bend at the next meeting. 8.2 Future Training Opportunities & Guest Presenters: Methamphetamines presentation set for December meeting. An invitation will be sent to Office of Technical Regulation – Gas regarding presentation at December meeting. They would like to present to the group areas to be aware of regarding gas cookers in food businesses Action: Dara to send invite to OTR – Gas for December meeting. 9. Other Business 9.1 Knowledge Base Update: There are new documents for food service for vulnerable people on the EHA SA knowledge base. Members were encouraged to check it out. Action: Rebecca to provide her desludge letters to Roxanne for sharing on knowledge base. Other members were encouraged to provide documentation they have available. 9.2 Sizing of Sump Pumps: A question was asked whether it can be enforced to increase the size of a sump pump for properties with high occupancy rate. The response provided was that it could be enforced under the Code as ‘providing all relevant information’. 9.3 Notifiable Diseases: The group had a discussion regarding the investigation of notifiable diseases and confirmed Councils are responsible for undertaking investigation for suspected and confirmed food poisoning bacteria outbreak if requested by SA Health. 9.4 Temporary Toilet and Shower Facilities: It was discussed that facilities are not seen as temporary if using regularly. 10. Future Projects 10.1 Inspecting spas on houseboats (Rebecca) 10.2 Back packer accommodation (Rebecca & Dara) 11. Next Meeting: 14 December 2018 at Mannum Council office 49 Adelaide Rd, Mannum. Followed by lunch at the Pretoria Hotel 50 Randell St, Mannum Meeting closed at 12:10pm 3 Action Table Responsible Number Action Officer Kaylie Baker 2.1 Provide feedback to SA Health that timeframes be considered in the review of the Code for the supply of service reports by agents to Council. Rebecca Burton 2.2 Provide feedback to SA Health regarding their leadership in reminding engineers that wastewater reports must meet the criteria in the Code. Develop, in conjunction with SA Health, a flowchart to guide engineers to meet the reporting criteria requirements. Katina Nikas 2.3 Share advice received regarding the administration of the Water Industry Act and Public Health Act. Rebecca Burton 2.4 Email concerns to SA Heath regarding the need for registration and notification in the area of skin penetration and tattooing. Dara Frankel, 2.5 Raise the issue of a regional network of support for hoarding and squalor at the Rebecca Burton & next MRLGA Regional Public Health Plan Committee meeting. Katina Nikas Rebecca Burton 2.6 Provide a response on food safety training needs to Karen Ferres Katina Nikas 2.7 Speak to local winery regarding a tour (1 hour) for EHOs to better understand the operations of a winery Caroline Thomas 2.8 Establish a sub-committee for the 2020 Conference Tailem Bend at the next meeting. Dara Frankel 2.9 Send invite to OTR – Gas for next meeting. Rebecca Burton 2.10 Provide desludge letters to Roxanne for sharing on knowledge base. Other members were encouraged to provide documentation they have available. 4 .