The Environment Protection Authority is calling on construction site managers to take preventative action against soil erosion and sediment run off, warning that heavy rainfall, particularly after dry spells, can wash bare soil into local waterways and cause lasting environmental harm.
According to the EPA, rainfall picks up areas of exposed soil on construction sites and carries it off site as sediment. Vehicles moving across and off these sites can also track soil onto roads and surrounding areas, compounding the problem.
The EPA says this is a well known seasonal risk, and site managers should be planning ahead rather than reacting after the fact.
EPA Executive Director Operations Rachel Gualano said everyone has a duty to prevent harm to the environment, and that sediment run off creates a genuine pollution risk.
She explained that erosion and sediment can pollute waterways, affect water quality, and harm the plants and animals that depend on those ecosystems.
Gualano said that when sediment enters waterways, the fine particles suspended in the water make it cloudy.
This cloudiness reduces the amount of sunlight able to penetrate the water, which can disrupt aquatic plant growth.
She added that sediment can also clog the gills of fish, and can smother plants, fish eggs and insect larvae, threatening the survival of species that rely on clean, clear water to thrive.
The EPA emphasised that heavy rain causing erosion and sediment run off is a known and predictable risk at this time of year, meaning site managers have no excuse for being caught unprepared.
Gualano said it is not good enough for operators to claim that heavy rain was not expected, since such weather is foreseeable and should be factored into site planning well in advance.
She noted that there are a number of practical steps site managers can take to minimise the risk of erosion and run off, and confirmed that the EPA has published detailed guidance to help businesses meet their obligations.
This guidance outlines measures construction operators can put in place to stabilise soil, manage stormwater, and prevent sediment from leaving their sites during periods of rain.
Gualano issued a clear warning to operators who fail to act.
“It’s not good enough to say that heavy rain wasn’t expected; it’s predictable and should be planned for,” said Gualano.
“There are many steps you can take to minimise the risk of erosion and run-off.
“EPA has guidance on these, and we won’t hesitate to issue notices and fines to those who haven’t done everything practicable to manage the risk of pollution.”
The comments underline the regulators intention to hold construction site managers accountable for environmental outcomes, rather than treating heavy rainfall as an unforeseeable event beyond their control.
The EPA is encouraging all construction site operators to review their current erosion and sediment control measures now, ahead of further rain, rather than waiting until a pollution incident has already occurred.
Businesses are being directed to the EPAs published resources for further information on managing these risks, including guidance on monitoring water quality and reducing the impact of run off on local waterways.
The regulator says early preparation remains the most effective way to protect both the environment and site operators from potential penalties.
