EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL
FACT SHEET NO. 0045
Erosion and Sediment Control
Soil erosion from building, development and construction sites is a major
source of stormwater pollution. When it enters our waterways, sediment
(such as soil, sand, silt, mud) and litter washed from urban areas can cause
short and long term environmental problems. A single building site can lose
up to four truckloads of soil in one storm. Sediment washed from building
sites into gutters and stormwater drains can cause flooding and affects water
quality and fish stocks in our creeks, rivers and coastal waters.
Stormwater is not wastewater. Stormwater flows untreated into the waterways
that provide vital habitats for animals and plants. It is your responsibility to
help keep stormwater pollution free.
Tips for controlling erosion
Erosion control measures are the first line of defence in preventing onsite
and offsite erosion, and the preferred option for erosion management on
site. It is the cheapest control measure and achieves the best outcomes.
Erosion control aims to prevent or reduce soil erosion caused by rain splash
and sheet erosion.
The best form of erosion control is to maintain maximum plant cover on the
soil surface, and to minimise the ‘footprint’ of soil disturbance. If the removal
of plant cover occurs and the soils are disturbed, site managers must adopt
other erosion control measures. These may include:
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bonded fibre matrix
compost blankets
erosion control blankets
gravelling
mulching
revegetation
soil binders and surface stabilisers
surface roughening
www.gladstone.qld.gov.au
NOTE: Each site is different. The effectiveness of suggested erosion control
measures will depend on site conditions and, if ineffective, fines may apply.
Entry and exit points at work sites, where heavy vehicle use is frequent,
are focal points for erosion. Gravelling these high use areas is an effective
erosion control measure.
Tips for controlling sediment
Sediment control measures are the second line of defence in preventing
onsite and offsite erosion effects. They aim to trap and retain sediment, both
fine and large, that has eroded from the site.
Typical sediment control measures include:
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buffer zones
construction exits
sediment fences
sediment basins/weirs
dams
grass filter traps
rock filter traps
compost/mulch berms
drop inlet protection
flocculants
NOTE: Each site is different. The effectiveness of suggested erosion control
measures will depend on site conditions and, if ineffective, fines may apply.
Drainage control measures applicable to sediment control include:
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Divert up-slope stormwater runoff away from excavations.
Divert clean water around sediment traps, reducing total volume of
water to be trapped and treated and reducing the size of the sediment
control measure.
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EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL
Your responsibilities
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, all persons who cause land
disturbance have a legal responsibility to minimise or prevent environmental
harm. Such harm can be caused if sediment from building sites enters
stormwater drains or waterways.
Property developers and other development industry members, such as
consultants and contractors, must further comply with the requirements of
the Sustainable Planning Act 2009. Development conditions on construction
approvals require the implementation and maintenance of adequate erosion
and sediment control measures.
If you choose not to implement appropriate erosion and sediment control
measures, it could cost you an on-the-spot fine of $1767 to $8835, or
possible further legal action.
FACT SHEET NO. 0045
How can you contact us?
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(07) 4970 0700
STD CALLS: 1300 733 343
For those residents who currently incur STD call rates when
contacting their local customer service centre
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(07) 4975 8500
[email protected]
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www.gladstone.qld.gov.au
Preventing sediment run-off from building sites is one of several ways
that Council and industry are improving our waterways from the backyard
to the harbour. For more information phone Gladstone Regional Council’s
Environmental Health Unit on (07) 4977 6821.
www.gladstone.qld.gov.au
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