A Macarthur region council has a message for builders ahead of Get the Site Right Blitz Week: focus on proper site management to protect our rivers and waterways.
Blitz Week starts August 25, and is a joint effort by catchment groups, local councils and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
The goal is to strengthen erosion and sediment controls on building sites, preventing waste and sediment runoff from polluting local waterways.
The campaign’s urgency is underscored by findings from the March 2025 blitz, which revealed compliance on construction sites was only 48.3 per cent.
Regulatory staff across 20 councils and the EPA inspected 867 sites and issued more than 70 penalty notices, totalling $404,780 for breaches including sediment run-off and poor stockpile controls.
With harsher penalties now in place, including on-the-spot fines starting at $15,000 for individuals and $30,000 for corporations, the August blitz is a critical reminder for builders and developers to get their sites right.
Mayor of Camden, Cr Ashleigh Cagney, says the reminder was particularly relevant in her local government area.
“With increasing residential building activity and a wetter-than-usual spring forecast, we really need our builders to be doing the right thing on their sites to protect our local environment and waterways,” she said.
“Sediment and erosion controls are so important for our waterways and the animals that live in them – and that includes the platypus, which is Camden Council’s logo and mascot as many would know.
“By getting site controls right from the start and doing the right thing continuously, builders can help prevent serious damage that can take years and millions of dollars to repair.
“Let’s work together to make sure our waterways remain safe, healthy and beautiful for generations to come. We all need to take pride in this beautiful area we are lucky enough to call home,” Mayor Cagey said.
For more information, including a site maintenance checklist and information leaflets for builders and home renovators, visit https://www.ourlivingriver.com.au/help–theriver/getthesiteright/
To report pollution incidents, including poor sediment control, contact the NSW EPA at info@epa.nsw.gov.au, call the Environment Line on 131 555 or call Camden Council on 13 22 63.