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  • Why management is important
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  • Food Standards Code
  • Role of local government
  • Role of environmental health workers
  • Role of the community
  • Community awareness campaigns
  • Resources and programs
  • Public policy
  • Useful contact details
• Water
  • Why management is important
  • Legislation
  • Role of local government
  • Role of environmental health workers
  • Role of the community
  • Manage the whole water supply system
  • Resources and programs
  • Public policy
  • Useful contact details
• Hygiene
  • Why promote good hygiene
  • Legislation
  • Role of local government
  • Role of environmental health workers
  • Role of the community
  • Resources and programs
  • Public policy
  • Useful contact details
• Waste management
  • Why management is important
  • Strategic framework for waste
  • Legislation
  • Role of local government
  • Role of environmental health workers
  • Role of the community
  • Rubbish tip management
  • Dangerous goods disposal
  • Community awareness campaigns
  • Public policy
• Animal management
  • Why management is important
  • Legislation
  • Role of local government
  • Role of animal management workers
  • Role of the community
  • Public policy
  • Resources and programs
  • Useful contact details
• Designated pests - vermin and vector control
  • About control of designated pests
  • Legislation
  • Role of local government
  • Role of environmental health workers
  • Role of the community
  • Developing a pest management plan
  • Remedial action
  • Equipment and suppliers
  • Community awareness campaigns
  • Resources and programs
  • Public policy
  • Useful contact details

Role of local government in control of designated pests

Local Governments are required to enforce sections of the Public Health Act 2005 and the Public Health Regulation 2005 that relate to designated pests.

Local government roles are outlined in Part 2 of Chapter 1 – Roles of the State and Local Government for Public Health Risks. Section 13 states that Local Government is responsible for a number of specific public health risks. These include public health risks with rats and mice, water, waste and a number of other things.

Local government property

Under Section 3 of thePublic Health Act 2005, local governments are required to take the same precautions as people occupying private or commercial premises to prevent public health risks. This includes ensuring that stagnant pools of water do not collect on their roads, or in drains and sewers.

Mosquitoes (vectors)

Part 1A of the Regulation deals with the control of mosquitoes. It describes measures to control mosquitoes and prevent and control the public health risks in relation to mosquitoes.  Local Governments are responsible for reducing opportunities for mosquitoes to breed. Inspectors can be authorised to visit houses and ensure that water (in tanks, containers and drains) does not encourage mosquito breeding.  These inspections are an example of approved inspection programs.

Vermin

Part 1A of the Public Health Regulation 1996 requires local government to take action to enforce vermin (designated pest) control. Required actions can include:

• ensuring that buildings, food storage, water, wharves, and drains are vermin proof
• identifying places that may attract or shelter vermin
• identifying places infested by vermin and destroying the vermin
• reporting unusual sickness or disease in destroyed vermin
• monitoring premises licensed to keep vermin (eg. laboratories, pet shops)
• issuing notices to anyone who breaches the Act or Regulation.

Local government laws

Each local council has the power to make local laws for dealing with other animal pests or nuisances.  EHWs may have input into developing and updating those laws. Networking with EHWs in other Local Governments is useful for finding out what works and what is best practice.

If you want to make your own local laws, the Department of Local Government Sport and Recreation has a website to help you. Click on the link: Local Laws.

Contribute to this site

If you have found other local council’s laws useful in developing your local laws, or would like to post a link to your laws here, please contact Queensland Health’s Environmental Health Branch.

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