Trade Waste
What is trade waste?
Trade waste is wastewater generated by commercial, industrial, manufacturing or business activities that is discharged to Council's sewerage system.
If water is used as part of your business operations (other than for staff toilets, bathrooms or lunchrooms), you may need trade waste approval from Council.
Council may allow trade waste to be discharged to the sewerage system, subject to approval and applicable fees and charges.
Wastewater trade waste charges
| Category |
Description |
Charge |
| 1 |
Flat fee |
$552.00 per annum |
| 2 |
Flat fee |
$719.40 per annum |
| 2 |
Volume |
$2.71 per kL |
| 3 |
Flat fee |
$1143.00 per annum |
| 3 |
Volume |
$2.71 per kL |
| 3 |
BOD5 |
$1.98 per kg |
| 3 |
Suspended solids |
$1.98 per kg |
| 3 |
Chemical Oxygen Demand |
$1.98 per kg |
| 3 |
Total oil & grease |
$1.98 per kg |
| 3 |
Total kjeldahl nitrogen |
$1.98 per kg |
| 3 |
Total Phosphorus |
$1.98 per kg |
| 3 |
Ammonia (as nitrogen) |
$1.98 per kg |
| Equivalent Arrestor Charges for non-compliant wastewater trade waste systems |
500-999L pre-treatment device |
$1,734.30 per annum |
| Equivalent Arrestor Charges for non-compliant wastewater trade waste systems |
1000 – 1999L pre-treatment device |
$2,926.20 per annum |
| Equivalent Arrestor Charges for non-compliant wastewater trade waste systems |
2000L pre-treatment device |
$5,452.50 per annum |
Do I need trade waste approval?
You may need trade waste approval if your business produces wastewater as part of its operations.
Businesses that commonly require trade waste approval include:
- Cafes and coffee shops
- Restaurants and fast-food outlets
- Bakeries
- Butchers and delicatessens
- Seafood shops and seafood processing facilities
- Hotels, motels and hostels
- Schools, hospitals and nursing homes
- Medical surgeries
- Laundromats
- Car washes
- Mechanical, radiator and machinery repair businesses
- Car sales, servicing and repair businesses
- Factories and manufacturing facilities
- Printers
- Shopping centres
- Milk processing facilities
- Ice cream manufacturers
If you are unsure whether your business requires trade waste approval, contact Council before commencing operations.
Why is approval required?
Under Sections 180 to 185 of the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008, it is an offence to discharge anything other than domestic wastewater into Council's sewerage system without approval.
Trade waste approvals help Council to:
- protect workers maintaining and operating the sewer network
- protect sewer infrastructure and treatment plants
- maintain the quality of recycled water and biosolids
- protect the environment.
Some substances cannot be discharged to the sewerage system, including:
- stormwater
- motor oil
- paints
- grease
- food solids and particles
- other wastes that may damage the sewer network or treatment processes.
Trade waste approvals may include conditions, such as the installation and maintenance of grease traps or oil-water separators.
Applying for trade waste approval
From July 2026, trade waste approvals must be held by the property owner or their authorised property management agent, in line with statewide changes to trade waste management.
As part of these changes, many existing trade waste approvals may need to be reissued under the new system.
Property owners who do not currently hold a trade waste approval and wish to discharge trade waste from their premises must submit a Trade Waste Owner - Commercial - Application Form(PDF, 622KB).
Applications are assessed against Council's Trade Waste Management Plan(PDF, 1MB). If the requirements are met, Council will issue a trade waste approval with conditions specific to the premises.
Trade waste requirements are outlined in Council's Trade Waste Management Plan(PDF, 1MB).
Important information
- Trade waste approvals cannot be transferred to a new owner.
- Council must be notified in writing or by email within 14 days of any intended change in ownership or if the quantity or characteristics of trade waste discharged from the premises change from those previously approved.
- Property owners, authorised property managers and trade waste generators are responsible for notifying Council of these changes.
Buying, selling or leasing a property
If you are purchasing, selling or leasing a commercial property, Council recommends lodging a Trade Waste Compliance Inspection/Search application form(PDF, 295KB).
This service includes:
- a review of the current trade waste approval status
- a site inspection to confirm compliance
- identification of any outstanding trade waste issues.
A fee applies for this service.
Completing an inspection before settlement or occupancy can help identify any issues before ownership or tenancy changes.
How to lodge a new application
Complete the Trade Waste Application Form and submit it to Council via:
Email
trade.waste@frasercoast.qld.gov.au
Post
Fraser Coast Regional Council
PO Box 1943
Hervey Bay QLD 4655
In person
Maryborough Customer Service Centre
211-213 Adelaide Street, Maryborough
Hervey Bay Customer Service Centre
23 Main Street, Pialba
Read Council's Privacy Statement for information on how your personal information is managed.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for holding a trade waste approval?
From July 2026, trade waste approvals must be held by the property owner or their authorised property management agent.
Business operators, tenants and property owners should ensure the appropriate approval is in place before trade waste is discharged to Council's sewerage system.
If ownership changes, the new property owner or their authorised property management agent must apply for a new trade waste approval, as approvals cannot be transferred.
Do I need trade waste approval?
If water is used as part of your business operations, other than for staff toilets, bathrooms or lunchrooms, you may need trade waste approval.
If you are unsure, contact Council before starting or changing your business operations.
I'm leasing a commercial property. What do I need to do?
If you lease a commercial property, you should confirm with the property owner or property manager that an appropriate trade waste approval is in place before commencing business operations.
If your business activities change, you should notify the property owner and contact Council to discuss whether the existing approval remains suitable.
Can a trade waste approval be transferred to a new owner?
No. Trade waste approvals cannot be transferred to a new property owner.
The new owner or authorised property manager must apply for a new approval.
What happens if I buy or lease a business premises?
Council recommends lodging a Trade Waste Compliance Inspection/Search application before purchasing or leasing a property.
This can identify any outstanding compliance issues and confirm the property's current trade waste status.
What if my business operations change?
Council must be notified in writing or by email within 14 days if the quantity or characteristics of trade waste discharged from the premises change from those previously approved.
Changes to business operations may require a new or amended trade waste approval.
What types of waste cannot be discharged to sewer?
Some wastes cannot be discharged to Council's sewerage system, including stormwater, motor oil, paints, grease and food solids.
Contact Council if you are unsure whether your wastewater can be discharged to sewer.
Who do I contact for advice?
For more information or advice about trade waste requirements, contact Council's Water and Waste Services team on 1300 79 49 29 or email trade.waste@frasercoast.qld.gov.au