Council Requirements
Opening a new food business can be an exciting, but challenging experience. To avoid unnecessary challenges in the future, it is important that food premises are set up correctly and in compliance with all applicable legislation.
Initially and prior to any action, it is important that prospective food business proprietors discuss their plans with Council’s Town Planners and Council's Environmental Health Officers to ensure that the proposed business and ideas are allowable and that the appropriate approvals are obtained.
Council’s Environmental Health Officers can assist you in interpreting the applicable legislation and can also conduct an inspection on the potential premises to advise you of what work is required.
The applicable legislation you will be required to consult is:
- The Food Act 2003.
- Food Regulation 2004.
- Food Standards Code - Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
- Australian Standard 4674-2004 - Design, Construction and Fit out of Food Premises.
Australian Standard AS4674-2004 - Design, Construction and Fit out of Food Premises is the standard you will need to comply with when planning and constructing your new food premises. A copy of Australian Standard 4674-2004 is available at a cost from Standards Australia.
It is likely that you will need to submit some form of application for the business to Council. As part of this application, you will be required to submit a number of documents. One of these documents will be a plan of the proposed food premises. To avoid unnecessary delays with your application, Councils Food Premises Fact Sheet can be downloaded which outlines all of the necessary requirements.
Once approved and the premises is ready to open, you must contact Council’s Environmental Health Officers no less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to opening to enable them to inspect the premises.
Notification
To notify your business to Council, download Council's Food Registration Form from, complete it and return to Council.
It is also a requirement to Notify your business to the NSW Food Authority and you can follow the link to complete the notification online.
Should you require assistance in notifying your food business or have any enquiries relating to planning your new food business, please contact Council’s Environmental Health Officers on 9911 6555 during business hours.