Whittlesea asks owners of unsewered properties to arrange a council site inspection before lodging a septic permit application. Check both the wastewater and planning requirements for the proposal; Yarra Geotechnics can begin its quotation review using the information already available.
View our Land Capability Assessment serviceArrange the council inspection before applying
Whittlesea's current pathway begins with a request to Public Health for an onsite inspection. This gives council an opportunity to review the property before the applicant lodges the permit material.
Have the address, a description of the proposal and any available plans ready when booking. Council can then provide any property-specific assessment or application advice, which can be shared with Yarra Geotechnics when available.
The permit application needs a detailed system plan
Council's webpage requires a plan prepared by the plumber. It should locate the dwelling, fixtures, property boundaries, buildings, tanks, pools, driveways, drains, easements, waterways, dams, slope and the proposed onsite wastewater components.
The plan and LCA have related but separate roles. The assessment considers site capability and the land available for effluent dispersal or recycling; the system designer and plumber prepare the detailed installation information required for the permit.
Check any separate planning requirement
Some planning provisions expressly require an LCA for an unsewered subdivision. In Whittlesea, this includes relevant subdivision requirements in the Low Density Residential Zone, Township Zone and Restructure Overlay. These requirements apply only where the relevant zone or overlay and proposal trigger them.
Confirm the current planning controls for the property alongside Public Health advice. A discretionary wastewater-permit decision does not remove an LCA requirement under the planning scheme.
Share council advice when it becomes available
Confirm the LCA requirement under both the wastewater and planning pathways for the actual lot and development. Yarra Geotechnics can review the property address and available plans for quotation purposes while any council advice or inspection notes are being obtained.
When council provides property-specific directions, share them with Yarra Geotechnics so the assessment can respond to the identified site and application needs.
Allow for the install and use approvals
Whittlesea issues the permit before installation work begins. After the system is installed, the plumber provides the compliance documents and arranges council's inspection.
The LCA assesses site capability and the land available for onsite wastewater management. The system designer and plumber prepare the detailed installation documents, and council determines the installation and use approvals.
What to send for a quotation
- Property address and sewer-servicing information
- Current site plan and floor plans
- Proposed bedrooms, occupancy and fixtures
- Council inspection notes or correspondence
- Plumber or system concept information if available
- Existing onsite wastewater permit, system plan and earlier reports
Send the information you have. We can identify any additional information needed to prepare your quotation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first step for a Whittlesea septic permit?
Contact council's Public Health team to arrange the onsite inspection described on the current permit page.
What can I send Yarra Geotechnics for a quotation?
Send the property address, available plans and any council advice or inspection notes already available. Yarra Geotechnics reviews that information before setting out the project-specific scope, fee and deliverables in the quotation.
Who prepares the permit plan?
Council's webpage states that the detailed proposed-system plan is prepared by the plumber.
What happens after installation?
The plumber supplies the compliance documents and arranges council's inspection. Council then decides whether to issue the permit to use.
Official resources
Whittlesea septic tank permit
Public Health instructions beginning with the pre-application site inspection and ending with approval to use the system.
View Whittlesea septic tank permitWhittlesea planning permit process
Planning coordination and the separate septic approval for non-sewered sites.
View Whittlesea planning permit processYarra Valley Water asset information
An initial Whittlesea-area asset check that must be followed by address-specific servicing confirmation.
View Yarra Valley Water asset informationEnvironment Protection Authority (EPA) onsite wastewater guidance
Current statewide risk-based guidance for Council-regulated systems.
View Environment Protection Authority (EPA) onsite wastewater guidanceWhittlesea Planning Scheme
Check the current zone, overlay and subdivision provisions for the property.
View Whittlesea Planning SchemeBoundary: © State of Victoria (Department of Transport and Planning), Vicmap Admin. CC BY 4.0. Simplified for display. Catalogue updated 5 September 2026; retrieved 12 September 2026.
Council requirements last reviewed: 12 September 2026
Yarra Geotechnics is an independent consultancy and is not affiliated with or endorsed by City of Whittlesea. Council determines the final application and permit requirements.
Need a Land Capability Assessment for a Whittlesea application?
Send the property address, current plans and any council correspondence. Yarra Geotechnics reviews the property and proposal before setting out the project-specific scope, fee and deliverables in the quotation.