Construction sediment management

Why is this project important?

Without proper controls in place, earthworks on building sites can cause increased sediment and nutrient runoff into nearby waterways.

This can degrade the health of waterways and significantly impact aquatic environments and habitats.

What are we doing?

We are updating the guidelines for erosion and sediment control on building sites.

The guidelines are for anyone working on building sites up to 2500 m² including builders, certifiers, stormwater specialists and anyone working on small-scale construction sites.

When finalised, these guidelines will be referred to in the standard conditions of development consent (which councils can also access in the planning portal).

What have we achieved so far?

Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure - Planning has developed a set of standard conditions of development consent (which councils can also access in the planning portal).

Councils can use these conditions in development approvals to ensure development complies while construction is underway.

The standard conditions bring greater consistency for controlling runoff on building sites in NSW.