Environmental Health Officers inspections
Environmental Health Officers may carry out inspections at businesses registered as a skin penetration premises at any reasonable time to ensure compliance with the Public Health Act and Regulation. They will also investigate any complaints about these types of businesses.
Council-approved fees are charged for the inspection of skin penetration premises, cooling towers, food premises, boarding houses and hostels.
A re-inspection fee may be charged if non-compliant premises require further inspections.
Powers of entry for Environmental Health Officers
The Public Health Act 2010 gives power to Environmental Health Officers to enter and inspect premises believed to be used to carry out skin penetration procedures. Certain actions can be taken in relation to those premises. These include:
- inspecting the premises
- making enquiries
- asking questions
- examining, inspecting and testing equipment
- taking samples
- taking photographs and videos
- requiring records to be produced
- examining and copying records.
Section 608 of the Local Government Act 1993 provides that Council's in NSW may charge approved fees for various services provided, including premises inspections.
Fees are placed on public exhibition for comment. In May of each year, Council's Draft Management Plan (including proposed fees) is advertised in the local press and placed on public exhibition for 28 days. Comments or objections from the public on the proposed fees and charged are invited during that period.
Following the 28-day exhibition period, comments and objections from the public are considered and Council then adopts the fees and charges, with any changes.
The current fees and charges are detailed in the Schedule of Fees and Charges.
Failure to pay fees may result in the debt being referred to a debt collection agency and details may be forwarded to credit authorities in the event of non-payment.