City of Kwinana hosts Sediment Forum

Thirty-two people interested in improving sediment management in Western Australia attended April’s Local Government Sediment Forum, coordinated by the Sediment Task Force, New WAter Ways, StormwaterWA, the City of Kwinana and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

The Forum brought together key stakeholders who play a role in ensuring land development does not result in soil erosion, sand drift and sediment run-off with those concerned about sediment pollution and sedimentation where poor industry practice is prevalent. Participants included compliance, infrastructure, drainage, development, environmental health, environment, sustainability and policy officers, as well as engineers and land development and program managers from government, and community and industry representatives.

Presentations and discussions centred around the environmental, economic and social impacts of non-existent and ineffective sediment control during land development, on waterways, wetlands, estuaries and marine environments and Local Government drainage and Water Sensitive Urban Design infrastructure.

The why, how and what drives improvement in sediment management and why a multidisciplinary approach is required, and the available tools and compliance systems being used to improve sediment management practices and outcomes were highlighted and ‘unpacked’.

Presentations by officers from five Local Governments, ARUP, Perth NRM and South East Queensland’s Water by Design and Switchback Consulting provided insight into the challenges faced, potential solutions and the key elements required for on-site erosion and sediment control success that protects the environment and reduces Local Government (rate-payer) expenditure on “cleaning-up”, maintenance and remediation.

WALGA’s new Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines for Local Government and the Perth South West Region ‘Sediment Snapshot’ Summary Report were also launched at the Forum.

The proposal to establish a ‘WA Community of Practice’ was supported, so those with a role in monitoring for compliance, asset protection, advocacy and education could continue to come together to learn more about erosion and sediment control best practice during land development and learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives.

Overall feedback was the Forum increased attendees’ knowledge of best practice soil erosion and sediment control measures, policy, enforcement, bonds and education tools; of the associated costs, challenges and risks to drainage, Water Sensitive Urban Design and waterways from poor sediment control practices; and that the Forum was a great networking opportunity.

Our heart-felt appreciation goes to StormwaterWA and the City of Kwinana for their sponsorship, our forum coordinators, partnering organisations and our presenters, all of whom volunteered their time as in-kind support. Thank you: Shelley Shepherd (New WAter Ways), Pia Hackshaw and Ruban Ganesha (City of Kwinana), Matt Stovold (ARUP), Karen Toms (Water by Design), Leon Rowlands (Switchback Consulting), Merryn Delaney (Shire of Augusta-Margaret River), Craig Wansbrough (City of Wanneroo), Sarah Coles (WALGA) and Bronwyn Scallan (Perth NRM), and also to Dr. Kathleen Broderick (Perth South West Metropolitan Alliance) and Debbie Besch (DBCA).

Click here to download available presentations.

For further information, please contact [email protected]