Blitz on building site run-off helps keep our ocean clean

Builders and home renovators are being urged to stop run-off from building sites polluting our beautiful beaches, waterways and the green spaces that we all love.

Throughout May, we participated in the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Dept. Planning Industry and Environment (DPIE) ‘Get the Site Right’ campaign targeting builders and developers and enforcing best practice on building sites to protect our waterways and surrounding environments from erosion and run-off.

After a one-day inspection blitz by 12 of our environmental health officers who visited 50 building sites, we found that 60 percent of sites were not compliant.

Since, we have issued 40 warnings, penalty or prevention notices. Follow-up visits will be made over the coming months to ensure control measures are in place.

Stormwater collects pollutants, such as sediment, cement, sand and soil from building sites and this can flow directly out to our local waterways. This can contaminate water and cause algal blooms that harm marine plants and animals and even make its way into the food chain.

In its sixth year, ‘Get the Site Right’ is a joint program between the Cooks River Alliance, DPIE, Georges Riverkeeper, the EPA, Parramatta River Catchment Group, Sydney Coastal Councils Group, local Sydney councils and Lake Macquarie Council.

In addition to the campaign, our teams regularly inspect building sites throughout the year as well as respond to community complaints and reports of building site run-off.

If you’re concerned about a pollution incident, we encourage you to report it to us online or call 1300 434 434. You can also report directly to the EPA’s 24/7 Environment Line on 131 555.