Public consultation on the Swan Reach Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS) concept design project was conducted from 23 April to 23 May 2025.

There were 81 submissions received, with all of the feedback collated into the What We Heard report, which can be found in the Document Library.

This feedback was discussed with the Elected Members at a briefing session and then presented in a report at the June 2025 Council meeting.

Council has resolved to proceed with the project citing positive benefits for the environment and residents of the Swan Reach township.

Council has written to the Local Government Association seeking funding for the detailed design work. Further updates will be provided to residents with the outcomes of the funding and as the project proceeds to detailed design.

In 2017, Council applied to the Local Government Association of South Australia (LGA) to include four (4) townships (including Swan Reach) on the State CWMS prioritisation list. This allows Council to access funding to investigate and eventually construct a CWMS in their respective areas, subject to community support and availability of funding.

In 2022, a feasibility study was undertaken to determine the status of onsite wastewater systems in the township and whether there were any environmental issues that were present.

The final feasibility report for Swan Reach was presented to Council in August 2022 where the following issues were identified:

• Approximately 93% of onsite wastewater systems in the town were non-compliant with current standards;
• 56% are estimated to be nearing or surpassing their reasonable end of life (approximately 30 years);
• 13% are showing signs of obvious failure;
• 25% of sites currently encroach on mandatory environmental setbacks;
• 50% do not have adequate reserve area to install a new onsite wastewater system.

Following receipt of this report, Council wrote to the LGA seeking funding for a concept design for a Community Wastewater Management System (CWMS). This request for funding was successful.

A fully funded concept design has now been completed and as part of the project Council is wanting to hear what property owners have to say about the project and the CWMS design. We need to understand whether the proposal is suitable and whether you want Council to seek further funding for a detailed design and then installation of the CWMS in Swan Reach.

The public consultation process commences on Wednesday 23 April 2025 and closes 5pm Friday 23 May 2025.

Property owners, directly affected by the proposal, have received correspondence from Council.

As part of the public consultation process Council will be holding a public meeting and drop-in sessions as follows:

Public Meeting to be held on Monday 5 May 2025 from 6pm-8pm at the Swan Reach Town Hall

See Key Dates for Drop-in sessions at Robert Taylor House, Swan Reach with Council's Environmental Health Officer.

Maps of the proposed concept design can be viewed here. Please remember that this is a concept design and the final placement of pipes has not been finalised. If Council decide to proceed to a detailed design, then pipe placement will be considered at this stage.

An Information Sheet of Frequently Asked Questions can be viewed here.

A Financial Information Sheet of Frequently Asked Questions can be viewed here.

Community members are encouraged to review the Maps and Information Sheet and provide feedback by completing a survey, attending the public meeting and/or one of the drop-in sessions.