Environmental Health Process

If your business project involves a space for preparing or serving food, you must obtain a report from a Council Environmental Health Officer (EHO) confirming the plans meet public health requirements under the Building Act 2016. A separate registration as a Food Business under the Food Act 2003 is also required before the business can operate.

The Process

1. Preparation — Contact Council’s EHOs early to find out whether approval is needed for your development.
2. Prior to Applying — Once a building surveyor is engaged, they will formally request that the Council EHO review your proposed plans.
3. Assessment — The EHO assesses the plans against public health and food safety standards.
4. Further Information — If anything is missing or unclear, the EHO will request additional information. The assessment is placed on hold until this is received.
5. Assessment Complete — Once satisfied, the EHO forwards a report and stamped plans to the building surveyor. Applying — The building surveyor submits an application for building and/or plumbing approval, with the EHO report included as a supporting document.
6. Approval — Council’s building and plumbing teams carry out their assessments and issue the relevant approvals. Final Step — Before the premises can be occupied, the building surveyor requests a final occupancy report from the EHO. An inspection is carried out to confirm compliance, after which occupancy can be issued.