Erosion & sediment control

Soil erosion from building sites and subdivisions is a major source of pollution to our stormwater and waterways. Water polluted with sediment (sand, soil, silt or mud) flows down gutters and stormwater drains, straight into our creeks, rivers and ocean.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, builders and property owners have the legal responsibility to prevent or minimise environmental harm.  You must take steps to ensure that prescribed water contaminants (such as earth, sand, soil, silt or mud) do not contaminate waters, gutters or stormwater drainage.  On-the-spot fines apply for offences.

Erosion and sediment control plans

For many activities that involve earthworks and/or removal of vegetation, you will need to submit erosion and sediment control plans as part of an Operational Works permit. (Operational Works approval is required for earthworks that involve 50m3 of earth or the interference with protected vegetation.)

Management plans are given various titles including Erosion and Sediment Control Plans (ESCP), and Soil and Water Control Plans (SWCP). All those involved in the project - sub-contractors, private certifiers, home owners and regulators – need to be aware of and implement the plan.  Council's Regulatory Compliance unit enforces erosion and sediment control activities.

Where appropriate, erosion and sediment control plans should include, but not be limited to:

• Property boundaries
• General soil description
• Existing and final contours - including the location of cut and fill banks
• Existing and final overland flow drainage paths
• Limits of clearing where applicable, for instance on large properties
• Location of vegetated buffer strips
• Stabilised entry/exit point (rumble pad)
• Location of soil and sand stockpiles
• Location of all proposed temporary drainage control measures
• Location of all proposed erosion control measures (alternatively, use notes to describe locations) including installation sequence and maintenance requirements
• Permanent site stabilisation measures
• A statement of who is responsible for establishing and maintaining all erosion and sediment measures.