‘Get the Site Right’ is in full swing, marking 10 years of action to reduce sediment pollution from construction sites and protect waterway health across NSW.
The March campaign follows last August’s blitz of 618 sites across 12 council areas, which found 46% compliance and resulted in $344,388 in fines. A coordinated inspection ‘blitz day’ will take place on Thursday 19 March.
Established in 2016 by the Parramatta River Catchment Group with support from the NSW Environment Protection Authority, Get the Site Right expanded the following year to include the Cooks River Alliance, Georges Riverkeeper, and the Sydney Coastal Councils Group. More than 20 councils across NSW now participate.
Twice-yearly campaigns combine education and compliance, with council officers and the EPA inspecting building sites and promoting best-practice erosion and sediment controls. Over the past decade, compliance has averaged 55.4%, with more than $5 million in fines issued, highlighting ongoing challenges as development accelerates.
The PRCG and its partner catchment groups continue to advocate for increased NSW Government support, including targeted resources for culturally and linguistically diverse builders, to help protect our waterways as development intensifies. Read the media release.
