What is a Public Health Risk?

A public health risk is something that is (or is likely to be) hazardous to human health or could contribute to a disease or an infectious condition in humans.  This includes activities, animals and substances.

The role of local government is to ensure the community is protected from public health risks.  Council is responsible for monitoring and enforcing its own Local Laws and the Public Health Act 2005.

Public health risks can include:

• Designate pests (such as rats and mosquitoes)
• Waste water and sewerage
• Significant accumulation of waste materials (such as food scraps and rubbish)
• Anything that have been exposed to infection agents (such as clinical waste and sharps)
• Discharge or dispersion of chemicals or by products (such as asbestos or toxic fumes) from non work places