Get the Site Right is a joint program between the Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG), Cooks River Alliance, Georges Riverkeeper, Sydney Coastal Councils Group, Lake Macquarie Council, NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, and local councils. It has been operating for eight years, and nearby councils like Hunters Hill and Ryde Council have been part of the programme.
The Get the Site Right campaign raises awareness of the impacts of water and sediment pollution from building sites on the aquatic environment and aims to increase compliance amongst developers and builders.
Willoughby City Council Get the Site Right Blitz
In May 2023, Willoughby City Council participated in the Get The Site Right programme.
Rangers from Willoughby City Council conducted 30 inspections of building and construction sites.
Rangers issued six verbal warnings, served 8 Formal Warnings and 8 Penalty Notices (Fines) for offences against the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 and Protection of the Environment Operations Act, 1997, to a total face value of $30,594
Another Get the Site Right inspection, ‘Blitz Week’, is being held from 16-20 October, involving councils across Sydney and parts of NSW, including Willoughby City Council.
Willoughby City Council Rangers from the Safe City Unit will again pay close attention to building sites over October to ensure they ‘Get the Site Right’. The Willoughby City Council regulates any construction on the Mowbray Public School side of Mowbray Road.
Construction Industry Reforms
The NSW Government will overhaul the construction industry with new building reforms in the coming year; they will call on developers and builders to install and maintain best-practice erosion and sediment controls on their sites.
The proposed reforms are expected to improve legislation, ensure higher design, construction, and maintenance standards, and increase protection and support for consumers and workers.
Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor welcomes the proposed changes to the building and construction industry that will improve the health of our local waterways, particularly Middle Harbour.
“We have known for a long time that developers and builders play an essential role in preventing sediment-laden runoff from leaving their sites and polluting our waterways.
“Encouraging compliance by deploying a combination of education and enforcement will help to keep sustainable and environmentally friendly practices front of mind for both developers and builders.
“Waterway health is a key focus for our Willoughby and our community. The Get the Site Right campaign is an important initiative for improving stormwater quality and reducing pollutants to improve the water quality and enjoyment of our waterways,” Mayor Taylor said.
Why is the campaign focusing on Sediment Spills?
Sediment spills affect our environment and waterways by:
- Destroying aquatic habitats and smothering native plants and animals in our waterways.
- Directly polluting creeks, rivers and harbours by filling them with dirt, soil, sand and mud. This leads to poorer water quality, affecting swimming or leisure activities in and around our waterways.
- Blocking stormwater drains leading to flooding and overflows.
- It is an eroding creek and riverbanks.
Does Lane Cove Council Participate in Get The Site Right?
ITC noticed that Lane Cove Council was not participating in Get The Site Right in May this year. Given the amount of construction in St Leonards (where there have been cases of water pollution – read more here) and Lane Cove North, you would have thought this would be a campaign that was worth being involved in. Local residents report most incidents of lack of sediment control and erosion.
A spokesperson for the Lane Cove Council told ITC:
“Lane Cove Council is planning to participate in the March 2024 Get the Site Right program. Silt and sediment Controls were a key issue in our recent review of the Lane Cove Development Control Plan. Council, at its meeting in September, endorsed the new Development Control Plan, which includes sustainability initiatives along with strengthened Silt and sediment requirements. For example, we will now require Silt & Sediment Control Plans to be submitted with a development application for assessment rather than being a condition of consent. We are looking to showcase the new Development Control Plan Silt & Sediment requirements in the March 2024 Get the Site Right.
How Can Your Report Issues
Members of the public are encouraged to report pollution incidents, including poor sediment control, to their local council or the EPA’s 24/7 Environment Line on 131 555. Read our ultimate guide to reporting issues here.
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