Soil Erosion and Sediment Control

Soil erosion and sediment control is used on residential and commercial building sites to prevent materials such as sand and cement from entering our waterways.

If not managed properly, sediment pollution can have a significant impact on the environment, smothering aquatic plants and animals and endangering their survival. It can also block stormwater drains and cause overflows and flooding.

Report Development and Environmental Compliance issues online or call Council on 02 4645 4000.

Why do I need a soil erosion and sediment control plan?

  • It's the law. If you or your builder breaks the rules, you could receive fines of $8,000 to $15,000 for each incident.
  • Removing hazards improves the health and safety of workers and the public.
  • Blocked stormwater drains can cause flooding and overflows around your site.
  • Maintaining your site improves your reputation and attracts new clients if you are a builder.
  • Sediment runoff can destroy aquatic habitats and smother native plants and animals.
  • Save money and downtime by having an organised site and preventing sand, soil and other building supplies from being washed away during wet weather.
  • Reduce hazards and improve the health and safety for your tradespeople, family and the community.
  • Help make our waterways clean and safe places for everyone to enjoy.

Get the Site Right

We are participating in the Get the Site Right campaign. The campaign aims to improve the health of local waterways.

'Get the Site Right' is a joint taskforce of more than 20 local councils, the NSW Environment Protection Authority and Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, which targets erosion and sediment control on commercial and residential building sites around Sydney.

The taskforce works together to target developers and enforce best practice on commercial and residential building sites, as well as major infrastructure projects, to protect our waterways and surrounding environments.

We are working with developers and the community to raise awareness about the effects of sediment runoff on our rivers and creeks, and highlight the important role they can play in helping to improve water quality and protect surrounding environments.

For more information on soil erosion and sediment control visit Georges River - Get the Site Right.

How to get your site right

Soil erosion and sediment control is an essential part of any building construction or renovation. It is important that you or your builder has a comprehensive soil erosion and sediment control plan in place before your building begins. Check with your builder and download the Guidelines for Erosion and Sediment Control on Building Sites.(PDF, 28MB)

Construction disturbs soil and creates dust and debris. Run-off from a building site travels down the gutters and drains to creeks and canals and eventually ends up in a river, lake or sea. Although a single block of land may seem insignificant, if you consider all the building sites within the Campbelltown Local Government Area (LGA), erosion has a significant effect on water quality.

Studies by the NSW Environment Protection Authority show that 1 building can lose up to 4 truckloads of soil in a single storm.

We have addressed this environmental issue with a systematic approach to the control of construction sites within the LGA. Inspections are carried out by our Environmental Health Officers to ensure that stormwater pollution is not occurring as a result of a lack of adequate controls.

How does sediment pollution affect our environment and waterways?

  • Blocks stormwater drains leading to flooding and overflows.
  • Eroding creeks and riverbanks.
  • Destroying aquatic habitats and smothering native plant and animals that live in our waterways.
  • Polluting creeks by filling them with dirt, soil, sand and mud which leads to poor water quality.

Should any site be determined as non-complying, we employ a range of solutions to improve the site including issuing warning letters or either Clean-Up or Prevention Notices in line with the provisions of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. Where circumstances warrant more direct intervention a penalty infringement notice may be issued for amounts up to $8000 or legal resolution may be sought for water pollution offences in line with the provisions of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.

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