Lake Macquarie building site blitz
HIA is aware that Lake Macquarie City Council staff will be patrolling building sites for the remainder of July to inspect for breach of erosion and sediment control requirements.?
The intention of the campaign is to enforce best practice on building sites to prevent sediment-laden runoff into waterways and surrounding environments. The campaign will occur mainly within Cameron Park, Cooranbong and Catherine Hill Bay.?
Over recent years, there has been an increasing commitment by the residential building industry to adopt on-site building activities and practices that minimise and eliminate damage to our environment.?
Measures that HIA recommends industry should consider to inhibit soil erosion and stormwater pollution on site include:
1.????????????Minimising site cut
2.????????????Preserving natural vegetation
3.????????????Installing diversion devices
4.????????????Early downpipe connection
5.????????????Considering stockpile protection
6.????????????Installing sediment barriers
7.????????????Keeping mud off roads
8.????????????Considering dust suppression; and
9.????????????Setting designated painting and wash down areas
?Considering these measures may minimise the impact of housing construction on the local environment and neighbourhoods, while reducing financial and operational costs to builders and trade contractors.?
?Lake Macquarie City Council has advised not to place any controls in the gutter or on the road due to the narrow roads. If you have placed them already, please remove them and any captured sediment and spilt contents and place this back on your site.
Failure to follow the requirements to contain and manage sediment on worksites in a responsible manner can result in local council or EPA issuing penalties from $8,000 to $15,000 for each incident that breaches the requirements.
Lake Macquarie City Council website has a range of fact sheets relating to erosion and sediment control to view visit lakemac.com.au.
For more information on erosion and sediment control responsibilities and measures members are welcome to contact HIA’s Planning team on 1300 650 620 or [email protected].