--- title: "Public & Environmental Health" date: 2026-07-15T10:33:00+10:00 author: Central Highlands Council canonical_url: "https://centralhighlands.tas.gov.au/public-environmental-health" section: Site Content --- ![A7507480 1](https://centralhighlands.tas.gov.au/volumes/images/_2000xAUTO_crop_center-center_none/13141/A7507480-1.webp) # Public & Environmental Health 1. [ Home](https://centralhighlands.tas.gov.au/) 2. [ Development & Environment ](https://centralhighlands.tas.gov.au/planning-development) 3. Public & Environmental Health ### Environmental Health Central Highlands Council is committed to protecting and promoting the health, wellbeing and environment of our community. Our Environmental Health services help ensure that residents, visitors and businesses can enjoy a safe, healthy and sustainable environment. We work with individuals, community groups and local businesses to provide advice, education and regulatory services across a range of public and environmental health areas. Our services include: - Food safety and food business regulation - Public health investigations and complaints - Wastewater management and onsite wastewater systems - Drinking water and recreational water quality matters - Public health education and advice - Environmental health monitoring and compliance By working together with our community, we can help maintain the unique character, natural environment and quality of life that make the Central Highlands a great place to live, work and visit. If you need assistance or would like more information about Environmental Health services, please contact Council's Environmental Health Officer. Food Safety Standards ### Food Safety Requirements for Food Businesses If your business prepares or sells ready-to-eat food, there are food safety requirements that may apply to you under Standard 3.2.2A – Food Safety Management Tools. The standard applies to certain food service, catering and retail food businesses that handle unpackaged, potentially hazardous food sold directly to customers. Depending on your business, requirements may include: - Ensuring staff complete food handler training - Appointing a Food Safety Supervisor - Keeping records of key food safety practices These measures help businesses serve safe food and protect the health of customers. Please note that fundraising events are exempt from these requirements. For more information and to view the standard, visit: Standard 3.2.2A – Food Safety Management Tools https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/F2022L01589 If you have questions about your obligations, please contact Council's Environmental Health Officer. Keeping poultry ### Domestic Poultry Keeping backyard poultry can be a rewarding part of living in the Central Highlands. To help maintain a healthy and harmonious neighbourhood, poultry must be kept within your property and managed responsibly. When keeping poultry: - Keep poultry at least **6 metres from neighbouring dwellings** and **1 metre from property boundaries** - Ensure coops, enclosures and yards are kept **clean and sanitary** - House roosters at night to help minimise noise impacts on neighbours - Prevent issues such as **odours, flies, rodents, drainage problems or poultry wandering onto neighbouring properties** As the owner, you are responsible for ensuring your poultry do not create a nuisance for others. For more information on caring for backyard poultry, visit: ? [**Backyard Poultry Guide**](https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/Documents/Backyard_Poultry.pdf) **Being a considerate poultry owner helps keep our community a great place to live for everyone.** Free Food Safety Training Central Highlands Council encourages anyone working with food to complete the **DoFoodSafely** online training course. This free course provides practical information on safe food handling and helps food handlers understand their responsibilities for keeping food safe. **Why complete the course?** - Free and easy to access - Self-paced and can be completed in stages - Takes approximately two hours to complete - Available in a range of languages - Certificate provided on completion This training is highly recommended for food business owners, managers, staff and volunteers involved in food preparation or service. **Access the course here:** ? [**DoFoodSafely Online Training**](https://dofoodsafely.health.vic.gov.au/index.php/en/) If you have any questions about food safety requirements, please contact Council's Environmental Health Officer. Noise issues ### Residential Noise and Hours of Use Everyone has the right to enjoy their home, while also being considerate of their neighbours. To help balance this, Tasmania's noise regulations set out permitted hours for using certain equipment and activities that may create noise. ? **View the information sheet:** [**Residential Noise Hours of Use**](https://centralhighlands.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Planning-Docs/Residential-Noise-Hours-of-Use.pdf) ### Reporting a Noise Concern If noise from a neighbouring property is regularly disrupting your enjoyment of your home, you can lodge a noise concern with Council. Each situation is assessed individually. When investigating a concern, Council considers whether the noise would be regarded as unreasonable by an average person, based on the circumstances and available evidence. To assist with an investigation, it is helpful to keep a record of: - The type of noise - The dates and times it occurs - How long it lasts - Where it can be heard from your property - How it affects you When reporting a concern, please provide as much detail as possible, including where the noise is coming from and when it occurred. You can lodge a noise concern by completing the form [here: ](https://centralhighlands.tas.gov.au/volumes/documents/Planning-Docs/Noise-Nuisance-Form.pdf) *Where appropriate, we encourage neighbours to discuss noise issues respectfully with one another before lodging a complaint, as many concerns can be resolved through friendly communication.*