Stormwater and Sediment Control

Stormwater and sediment control are two of the issues we face in managing the creeks.

Urban, commercial and industrial areas have extensive areas of impervious surfaces such as roofs, roads, driveways, carparks and paving. Concrete and paved areas so common in cities create stormwater runoff.

Soil at building sites can also be washed onto roads which may flow into creek areas. As a result of steadily increasing impervious surface areas, increasing runoff is a pressure on creek areas.

Some of the effects of rainfall from storms and stormwater carrying sediment are:

• an increase in amount and speed of water – affecting hydrology, erosion and flooding; and
• the change in quality of water – potential pollutant export and movement and deposition of sediments.

In large amounts, these substances can affect waterways as either potable water supplies or aquatic ecosystems.

You can access information below on how to control and minimise erosion impacts from building sites here. Information as both a summary brochure and detailed factsheets are available. These factsheets can help builders and sub-contractors in the building industry and residents implement measures to:

• minimise impacts; and
• comply with  their obligations under the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy (1997).