Public and environmental health is about the monitoring and promotion of health through food safety, nutrition regulation, communicable disease prevention and control, immunisation programs, radiation regulation, tobacco control, pharmaceutical services (drugs and poisons) and environmental health.
Drinking Water
Reticulated water which is supplied to many residents in Latrobe Municipality is provided by TasWater Corporation from treatment plants located at Forth. The Corporation has a Water Quality Policy which aims to comply with Tasmanian Drinking Water guidelines issued by the Director of Public Health under the Public Health Act, 1997.
For further information in relation to reticulated water please visit Taswater Website
Private Water Supply
If a private water supply is being used for human consumption for commercial purposes or in any place that is used for health, educational, imprisonment or detention purposes it must be registered. Applications can be made to Council for a Private Water Supply.
Application for a Private Water Supply
Food Safety and Licencing
The safety and quality of food is regulated and monitored by the Department of Health and Human Services in conjunction with local councils. Under the requirements of the Tasmanian Food Act 2003, food premises are required to be registered by their respective Local Government Authority.
The handling and selling of food is categorised from very low risk, such as selling pre-packaged food in canteens to higher risk activities such as food preparation in restaurants. Council is required to regularly inspect these premises to ensure that they comply with the Australian Food Safety Standards and the Tasmanian Food Act 2003.
Temporary food businesses are required to register with Council. Temporary food premises includes all food vans, trailers, food stalls, markets, fairs and the like where food for human consumption is prepared and/or sold. These businesses do not operate on a permanent basis.
Notification of a Food Business
Australian Food Safety Standards
Application for Registration/Renewal of a Food Business
Application for Temporary Food Business
Food Safety Training
From December 2023, certain food service and food retail businesses in Tasmania will be required to appoint at least one trained Food Safety Supervisor (FSS). A Food Safety Supervisor is a person who:
- is trained to recognise and manage food safety risks
- hold a current certifiate
- can advise and supervise other food handlers at the business
- works on the premises and is involved in the day-to-day food handling operations of the business.
If you operate or work in a food business it is a requirement to demonstrate safe food handling skills and knowledge. One way to do this is to complete a Food Safety course.
Food safety training is held on a regular basis. Please contact Council's Environmental Health Officer for more information on 6426 4444.
Training Opportunity
Do Food Safely Food Safety training can be completed on line for free using the following link:
Food Safety | Tasmanian Department of Health
The Environmental Health Department is also happy to provide educational information and advice to businesses regarding food safety and hygiene.
Regulated Systems
The owner of any premises may apply to Council for the registration of any regulated system. A regulated system includes an air-handling system, cooling tower, warm-water system, humidifying system or any other system or process that may involve the risk of legionnaire's disease. The system owner must ensure that it is operated and maintained in a manner that is does not pose a threat to public health.
Registration of a Regulated System
Places of Assembly
The Public Health Act 1997 regulates the licensing, operation, use and management of places which are used as a Place of Assembly. This means that a person must obtain a licence to lawfully use or lease a place as a Place of Assembly.
Guidelines set out health and safety requirements for places of assembly and other premises where the public congregates for special events, and are issued by the Director of Public Health under s.184 of the Act. Council licences and inspects Places of Assembly to ensure compliance with the guidelines.
Mass Gathering Application Form
Public Health Risk Activities
Public Health Risk Activities include acupuncture, tattooing and ear, nose and body piercing. People who carry out these activities and the premises where it is occurring are required to be licensed with Council. Business and their staff undertaking these activities are required to complete the attached forms to apply for licenses.
Public Health Risk Activity Licence Application - Business
Public Health Risk Activity Licence Application - Employee
Audits/inspections are conducted and operational procedures and practices are assessed against the relevant legislation and guidelines.
Needle and Syringe Program
There are a number of people within the community who for various reasons use 'sharps' such as needles, in their daily lives. Latrobe Council offers a free sharps container exchange and disposal service for Latrobe Municipality residents. Used sharps containers may be brought to the Council Office for exchange.