we are considering sailing up to nsw and queensland from tasmania and would like information on setting up the boat for waste water restrictions, our boat does not have holding tanks fitted.

A friend of mine said that if in Queensland and you are approached by nautical cops and the question of toilets comes up, if you say that you have a non discharge system fitted, they will accept that and leave you alone.

It seems the rules are so complicated for smaller private vessels that they really do not want to get involved in your sh!t. (Pardon the pun.)

Commercial (tourist) vessels are required to have a holding tank system in Qld. which may be pumped out to sea when in open waters which is defined as being more than three miles from port limits, land, island or reef.

For private vessels, I believe as long as some kind of macerator is fitted in the discharge it is permissible to pump out directly without a holding tank even when closer inshore. Don't quote me on that. Electric toilets fit that bill.

I had a Queensland Government surveyor on my charter yacht to whom I showed a direct pump out toilet, a Porta Potti and a couple of 15 litre plastic paint buckets with clip lids and he said that my system met the regulations.

As for what Ramona has quoted:-

"Legally if you are within 100 metres of a wharf and toilet facilities you have to use them. Further away and its open slather. If you are in NSW survey and you have a toilet it has to be plumbed to a holding tank. The idea is to empty at sea. If you are in survey and don't have a fitted toilet [bucket and chuck], then once your are greater than 100 yards from facilities its free.

The rules are different for national parks so check carefully there."

Do be wary of national parks people, but:-

The 100 metre or yard rule makes a joke of the intent of the rules in the first place, which are a joke in them selves in comparison to other forms of pollution that we all commonly see.

Parliament House Canberra and a pollie trying to score points:- "There all these people living on boats and they are all crapping in the water. We have got to stop it or they will destroy the environment!!!!"

Realist:- "Give us a break sunshine. What do you think prawns are in the water for?? They eat whatever sh!t there is to be eaten on the seabed.

Pollie:- "Erp, erp, bleaaagghh."

Realist:- "What's the matter mate?? Did you have a feed of prawns for lunch??"

I would definately install a system so that you can observe the nil discharge zones etc. Last year I installed an electric macerating toilet at about $300 from Whitworths discharging either directly overboard or to a holding tank via a Y valve. The holding tank in my case is simply a 25 litre heavy duty black plastic jerry can with two screw cap openings. I machined a poly pipe fitting so that the 25mm waste outlet pipe could be fitted to the tank with the pouring spout nut and O ring. When flushing into the holding tank open the second cap to allow air to escape.
Can empty the holding tank by simply removing, closing caps and carrying away or put the Y valve in mid position, lift the tank and pour the contents by gravity overboard via the thru hull discharge, open the second cap to allow air in of course.
In the marina or even coastal cruising with plenty of fresh water you can flush the toilet with a bucket of fresh water rather than sea water and if emptying contents ashore flush the tank thoroughly with fresh water to prevent odour.
When the tank and discharge hose starts to pong simply throw them away and replace with a nice fresh new set.
I have a few lashing points to secure the tank where it sits tucked neatly alongside the bowl in the head.
It is a low cost solution and I feel the least that I can do when cruising the pristine waters of Tasmania.