Environmental health

Alert level 2 update

Environmental Health is fully operational under Level 2. All applications are available online and this is our preferred way to receive them.

Check the Government's Unite against COVID web site for information on COVID-19 alert levels and controls. 

Appearance Industries 

There is currently no law in New Zealand that regulates appearance industries, so it's up to local councils to set minimum standards in regulations that apply to the businesses operating in their local authority area.

The Hutt City Council have developed an Appearance Industry Bylaw 2020 and corresponding Code of Practice, which following a public submission process, was accepted by Council in October 2020. 

The bylaw and COP applies to those people and premises (within the Hutt City Council boundary), providing services of:

• Beauty enhancement therapy treatments, including nails and waxing;
• Skin and body piercing;
• Tattooing.

It doesn’t apply to hairdressers, who are already regulated under the Health (Hairdressers) Regulations 1980, or qualified health professionals already covered under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, eg pharmacists.

With input from Regional Public Health, we are planning on running a series of 3 free workshops to assist operators in understanding the requirements of the bylaw and COP. The dates and venue for these workshops are:

• Thursday 27th May 2021 @1-3pm
• Thursday 10th June 2021 @10-12pm.

We encourage all operators to attend one of these sessions which will be held in the Hutt City Council Mayoral Chambers, 30 Laings Road, Lower Hutt.

You can book by completing the online form, or call us on (04) 570 6666, or email us with the name of your business, the session you’d like to attend, and how many people will be coming.

Bylaws

Our Environmental Health team enforce Council’s bylaws including:

• trading in public places
• fire prevention
• fire permits
• open burning
• smoke nuisance complaints
• overgrowths.

Fire risk

If you are concerned about a fire risk complete the online form on Fire and Emergency New Zealand's website or call 0800 336 942. Fire and Emergency New Zealand can only act on genuine fire hazards, not when a property is unsightly or presents a health hazard. 

Hazardous substances

Our Environmental Health Officers and Trade Waste Officers investigate incidents involving hazardous substances in public places and domestic dwellings.

Council can respond to hazardous substances incidents on private residences and public places. We're usually called out by the Fire Service, but some incidents are treated as pollution response. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (WorkSafe NZ) are responsible for hazardous substance incidents at workplaces.

Health nuisances

We investigate complaints relating to health nuisances in the community. To report a health nuisance use our Report a Problem tool.

Infectious diseases

Council works with the Regional Public Health unit to investigate notifiable infectious disease cases such as:

• Cryptosporidiosis
• Campylobacter
• Yersinia
• Giardia
• Salmonella
• Shigella.

Inspecting business premises

Our Environmental Health team inspects business premises for licensing. These include:

• Appearance industries
• Food premises
• Hairdressers
• Offensive trades
• Amusement devices
• Mortuaries
• and premises that sell alcohol.

Our inspectors also respond to complaints about the operation of the above activities.

Some food premises are now audited rather than inspected after joining up with our Voluntary Implementation Programme. Read more about premises registration and licences.

Litter

Our Environmental Investigation Officer investigates litter dumping and looks for evidence to prove who was responsible for potential prosecution. Council also deals with non-compliant refuse and problems with recycling put out by residents.

Learn more about rubbish and recycling.

Methamphetamine contamination

Our Environmental Health team investigates reports of premises being used for methamphetamine consumption or manufacture, or where precursor chemicals have been stored.

Depending on the degree of evidence found during our investigation we may:

• serve a cleansing order on the property owner, or
• issue an emergency declaration if there is a very high risk to people or property.

Noise

We respond to complaints and queries about noise issues, and operate a 24 hour noise control service. Find out more about Noise Control. 

Resource management reporting

Council provides reports on noise and other environmental health matters that may arise from an application for a resource consent.

Substandard housing

Our Environmental Health Officers investigate and report on:

• Excessive dampness
• Drainage
• Poor living conditions and overcrowding
• Items of disrepair
• Overcrowding issues.

Toxic algae

We work with the Greater Wellington Regional Council water quality scientists and Regional Public Health to alert public to the risk of toxic algae.

Learn more about toxic algae (PDF 364 kb).

Trade Waste

Trade wastes are commercial or industrial wastes that businesses might drain into our sewers (eg. grease and oil traps or commercial wastewater). Our Trade Waste team handles licensing and inspections of commercial premises.

Disposing of trade waste

If your business produces wastewater that you want to drain into the sewer system, you may need to apply for a discharge consent. Click the button below to find out more:

Treated timber

Burning treated timber is a health hazard and you are not allowed to burn it in domestic fires. The toxic ash it leaves behind has high levels of arsenic and other poisonous chemicals, which can be mistakenly inhaled or ingested.

Contact Council if you see dark/grey coloured smoke coming out of a chimney for more than 20 minutes, or if it smells strongly of chemicals.

Read our brochure about treated timber