20/06/2024

Get the Site Right is a joint taskforce between the Parramatta River Catchment Group, Cooks River Alliance, Georges Riverkeeper, Sydney Coastal Councils Group, Water NSW, NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Department of Planning and Environment (DPIE), and many Sydney Council’s, including Georges Riverkeeper member Council’s.
 
They work together to enforce best practice on commercial and residential building sites, as well as major infrastructure projects, to protect our waterways and surrounding environments.
 
The month-long campaign and Blitz Day targets sediment and erosion control on development sites and aims to raise awareness about the effects of sediment laden run-off on our waterways.
 
During the Get the Site Right blitz on 16 May 2024, Georges River Council’s Development Compliance Officers inspected a total of 38 development sites and found 23 sites to be compliant and 15 sites to be non-compliant.
 
Council’s Development Compliance Officers personally guided the 15 non-compliant owners/builders to ensure that their development site sediment and erosion controls were replaced or maintained to the appropriate standard. A total of 3 development sites failed to have any sediment and erosion controls implemented on their site and as a result Penalty Notices were issued for the non-compliance.
 
As an educational tool, Council officers assisted with requirements for periodic maintenance and provided relevant information brochures to all owners/builders on site.
 
Council conducts follow up inspections to ensure continued compliance and is authorised to take enforcement action according to the relevant legislation. While sediment and erosion controls are in place in most circumstances, Council tends to find that these need to be maintained or changed.
 
Mayor of Georges River, Sam Elmir said, “Congratulations to everyone involved in enhancing compliance on building work sites during the latest Get the Site Right blitz.
 
“Georges River Council and its partners are dedicated to safeguarding the health of our local waterways, ensuring that our community can continue to enjoy our beautiful natural environment.
 
“Compliance, targeted inspections and education are necessary to achieve long-term and sustainable reduction in runoff and improvements to the health of our waterways.”
 
We all play a part in protecting our waterways. Members of the public can report pollution incidents, including poor sediment control, by calling Council on 02 9330 6400 or the EPA’s Environment Line on 131 555. For more information, please visit Georges River Council - Soil and erosion (nsw.gov.au).