Get the Site Right and protect drinking water

‘Get the Site Right’ is a joint taskforce of local councils, catchment groups, NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Department of Planning and Environment DPE), which targets erosion and sediment control on commercial and residential building sites across NSW.

Launched by the Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG) in 2016, Get the Site Right is supported by the Cooks River Alliance, Georges River Riverkeeper, Sydney Coastal Councils Group, Lake Macquarie City Council, NSW EPA, Department of Planning, Industry & Environment, WaterNSW and more than 20 councils.

We work with developers, builders and the community to raise awareness about the harmful effects of sediment runoff on our creeks, rivers, harbours and beaches, and highlight the important role they play in helping to improve water quality and protect our natural environment and wildlife.

The campaign holds a month-long education and compliance campaign in May with a one-day inspection blitz when councils, the EPA and DPE go out in force to inspect developments of all sizes and take regulatory action as required.

The goals of the campaign are to:

• ensure that sediment and erosion control devices are installed correctly and maintained on building sites
• encourage residents to report sites that have poor erosion and sediment control to their local Council
• encourage local Councils to provide up to date information for residents and developers.

Erosion and sediment control is used on building and construction sites to prevent soil, sand and other sediment from being washed off the site and into gutters, stormwater drains and waterways.

Good erosion and sediment control involves careful management of the site before, during and after construction, using a combination of control measures. These controls help to minimise site disturbance and trap sediment before it can wash away. They can also prevent the loss of stockpiles and improve building site conditions generally.

There are rules that developers need to follow to contain and manage sediment on their work site in a responsible manner. It is against the law to breach these rules. Local councils and the NSW Environment Protection Authority have the power to issue penalties from $8000 to $15,000 for each incident.

We all have a role to play in making our waterways clean and safe for everyone to enjoy. If sediment such as soil, sand, dirt and mud are not properly managed on building sites they can directly pollute our river and cause severe environmental problems, making it less safe for people to use. Sediment can:

• fill our creeks, river and harbours with dirt, soil, sand and mud. This leads to poorer water quality, affecting drinking water, swimming or leisure activities in and around our waterways
• destroys aquatic habitats and smothers native plants and animals that live our waterways
• blocks stormwater drains leading to flooding and overflows
• erodes creek and river banks
• causes health and safety risks such as slippery roads and tripping hazards.