Referenced Document MCU13/0171

Controlling stormwater pollution on your building site




    SITE PLANNING
When planning the site layout, building location and earthworks, it is possible to minimise the number
of control devices needed for the sediment control zone, and their interference with the building process,
with a little forward thinking. Suggestions are to:
•     minimise the reshaping of the land
•     direct stormwater to flow around the building area and any unstable batters
•     allow room for a sediment barrier, eg. sediment fence, to be located along the lower side of the disturbance
•     design the home to suit the property type, eg. construct pole homes on steep properties
•     avoid the permanent use of long, steep and unstable driveways
•     avoid the use of exposed aggregate concrete surfaces in areas where the wash-off cannot be contained.



                                                                                          Sediment Control Zone
                                                                                          The sediment control zone is any
                                                                                          area of land disturbance which has
                                                                                          potential for the erosion of sediments.
                                                                                          This area should be protected by a
                                                                                          downslope sediment control
                                                                                          measure or device.
                                 ✓                                                ✕
Good site planning                         Poor site planning – stockpile over
                                           sediment fence, materials and toilet
                                           stored outside building site




Environmental law                    SEE FACT SHEET 2



The Environmental Protection Act 1994, Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 1997 and the Integrated Planning
Act 1997 are important pieces of legislation that control the way in which soil erosion and sediment are required to
be dealt with on building and development sites.

    PENALTIES
Breaches of the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy
1997 may result in:
•     on-the-spot fines under the Environmental Protection
      (Water) Policy 1997 (ranging from $300 to $600)
•     prosecutions under the Integrated Planning Act
      1997 or the Environmental Protection Act 1994
      (fines of thousands of dollars or prison sentences
      for serious offences)
•     the prosecution of individuals and/or companies.               Council officer explaining the Environmental Protection
                                                                     (Water) Policy 1997




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