City of Gosnells providing “Doing it right” information to developers and builders

outlining how they can reduce the likelihood of sedimentation resulting from subdivision, building and demolition works.

“Doing it right” will reduce erosion from urban development as soil, sand and mud does not end up on the street and then make its way into street drainage systems, waterways or adjoining properties.

Importantly, the webpage informs developers and builders that “Doing it right” by adopting good construction management principles results in financial, safety and public image benefits for their business. This serves as additional motivation for developers and builders to effectively adopt best practice measures, rather that just responding to a regulatory framework.

To reduce the likelihood of soil erosion, sediment runoff, sand drift and dust from building, subdivision and construction sites, the City of Gosnells expects that during the construction phase of any development measures must be taken to minimise the impact of the construction on the natural environment (waterways) and existing infrastructure including street drainage.

Specifically, access points to the building site are clearly defined and expected best practice is:

• Where possible, the entry/exit point to a building site is restricted to one point and vehicle entry points to a building site must have a minimum width of 3m and a maximum width of 6m.
• The surface of the access point must be suitably stabilised using crushed limestone or other temporary stable surface that will not easily erode and is suitable for the type of vehicles that need to access over it.  Where an access road slopes towards the street, a diversion hump or cut off drain should be provided to direct any stormwater to the side where it can be disposed into an easily drained soil or temporary soak well, to prevent runoff into the street and street drainage system.

A builder’s responsibilities associated with wind, water and litter are also clearly identified.

Builders must ensure that sand, buildings and building material and associated litter is properly contained within the building site and the City requests that the following measures are taken:

• A permit must be obtained to store materials (including builders sand) on the verge
• Sand stockpiles must be placed in protected locations or suitably screened with a wire and shade cloth screen to a height of 1.8m
• Sand embankments must have a maximum slope of 1:2
• Sprinklers must be used on sand stockpiles during periods of heavy winds
• Watering of vehicular access ways must occur during periods of windy weather
• Site vehicles and workers traffic must be confined to specified areas
• Stabilised access ways must be provided
• Roof stormwater downpipes must be connected at the same time as installation of the roof cover; and
• Temporary drainage gullies and soak pits must be provided to ensure that stormwater and sand does not end up on the street and street drainage systems, waterways or adjoining properties.

Check out the City of Gosnells’ webpage “Doing It Right”.