Environmental Health Inspection

This section undertakes a statutory and educational role especially in terms of the Resource Management Act, Health Act, Sale of Liquor Act, Dangerous Goods Act, Building Act, Fencing of Swimming Pools Act and investigation of notifiable infectious diseases.

It ensures correct standards for all food premises, buildings, licensed premises, plumbing and drainage, noise pollution, hazardous substances, offensive trades, water quality, communicable disease and sub-standard housing.

More about the Resource Management Act »
More about the Sale of Liquor Act »
More about the Building Act »
More about the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act »

Sale of Liquor

The Masterton District Council is required by statute to provide the facilities and services to operate a Licensing Agency for the purposes of enforcing the Sale of Liquor Act 1989.

The Licensing Agency processes approximately 200 applications per year which covers On - Off - Club, Special and Managers Licenses.

Training courses for bar managers are also run on a regular basis to ensure that managers have the appropriate training and are aware of the principles of host responsibility to minimise the effects of alcohol abuse.

Environmental Noise Control

The Environmental Health section enforces the noise control provisions of the Resource Management Act and the noise provisions in the District Plan.

Response to complaints for excessive or unreasonable noise is provided on a 24 hour basis with after hours calls being investigated by a local security firm.

Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Substances

All premises which use or store dangerous or flammable goods are licensed and inspected on a regular basis. This includes service stations, industrial premises and those with underground tanks or L.P.G. storage. This section is also a member of the Wairarapa Hazardous Substances Committee which responds to chemical and dangerous goods spillage incidents so as to minimise danger to the community and environment and also advises on the safe disposal of hazardous or contaminated materials.

Food Premises

Anyone in the business of storing, selling and preparing food for sale must do so on a registered premises. The Environmental Health Section inspects and licenses approximately 150 food premises annually, ranging in size from major manufacturing premises to street stalls selling hot dogs, with the objective of safe food and guarding public health.

Water Supply Monitoring

This section carries out the monitoring of the Masterton water supply and 13 rural supplies. Water samples are taken on a fortnightly or monthly basis to ensure that water quality is maintained and is within the guideline limits detailed in the Board of Health Standards for drinking water.

Plumbing and Drainage

Generally all works which involve the installation or alteration of plumbing or drainage services must be carried out with building consent. This allows services to be inspected for safety and soundness and records made as to the location of underground sewer lines. Septic tank installations and effluent disposal fields come within this area and must be constructed and designed to prevent discharges contaminating the underground water.

Resources Management

The environmental health section monitors the effects of processes and discharges into the environment pursuant to the requirements of the Resource Management Act. This includes discharges from industrial processes or contamination to land, water and air which could arise from refuse disposal sites, sewage treatment plants and other activities that could impact adversely on environment and community.