We developed a Stormwater Master Plan (SMP) to:
- manage stormwater run off in the City
- reduce the risk of flooding
- improve water quality
- harvest stormwater for reuse
Many suburbs in in Charles Sturt have a long history of flooding because the land is flat and close to sea level, and much of our stormwater infrastructure is ageing.
We produced floodplain maps to see where stormwater will flow in a one-in-100 year rainfall event in key water catchment areas.
The initial analysis has found that a large proportion of the stormwater infrastructure is either in relatively poor condition or is inadequate and will require significant additional funding to replace or upgrade.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Under the Water Quality Policy, on-the-spot fines of $300 may be imposed on builders, owner/occupiers or landscapers of land where pollution has entered, or has the potential to enter, gutters, drains and waterways.
Depending on the seriousness of the offence, the EPA may also choose to prosecute through the court. Council Officers regularly inspect construction sites to ensure environmental protection is in place.
The Local Government Act 1999 includes provisions for local councils to remove and dispose of rubbish and objects placed on public roads and footpaths, and to order an owner or occupier of unsightly land to clean it up.
Local councils may issue the following notices:
- Enforcement Notice-Development Act
- Environment Protection Order-Environment Protection Act
- Penalty Infringement Notices (expiations)
Building sites that are small, steep, have limited access or are difficult to build on do not provide a defence for non-compliance with the law.
The main objective is to stop sediment, waste and litter from leaving your site. This requires careful planning. The way you run your building site can have a big impact on the amount of pollution in stormwater run-off.
By following the information in this practical guide, you can be sure your construction site follows best practice to protect our environment.
Learn more about Pollution Avoidance on Building Sites.