Legionella Management Plan

Council is seeking feedback on the recently prepared Legionella Management Plan. The Public Health Act 2010 and the associated regulation requires Council Officers, building occupiers and building owners to take actions to prevent an outbreak of Legionnaires disease from cooling water systems. A cooling water system contains one or more cooling towers. These devices are used to circulate cooling water which, in turn, cools the air in air conditioning systems. A cooling tower reduces the temperature of water through evaporation (and is often described as an evaporative cooler). Cooling towers are typically found in large commercial buildings. The regulations do not apply to domestic premises.

Legionnaires disease is a serious condition, and therefore it is important that cooling water systems are well managed to protect public health. The statutory requirements in NSW are consistent with those in other states.

The Legionella Management Plan outlines the obligations of each of the key stakeholders (Council, building occupiers and building owners) in an easy to read reference document. Council is seeking feedback from the community on the Legionella Management Plan.

The draft Policy is on exhibition from Monday 22 November to Monday 20 December 2021.