Sediment Taskforce

Coordination

• Development and implementation of an Action Plan (ongoing)
  Continuation of funding from DBCA 2015-2019
• Additional funding $5000 from City of Armadale for 2018/2019
• Additional funding of $27,500 from DBCA for 2018/2019
• New representation by Department of Health WA, City of Subiaco, Kwinana and
  City of Cockburn
• Formalisation of a “shared” definition of sediment
• Development of a Terms of Reference
• Liaison and information sharing
• Additional funding of $42,500 from DBCA for 2019/2020

Improvements to organisational policies/procedures/processes to minimise sediment loss

MAIN ROADS

• Main Roads Guidelines aligned with Stormwater Best Practice guidelines
• Sediment management included in Main Roads EIA processes
• Development of MRWA Regional Environmental Management Plan
• Improved erosion and sediment control during construction works and improved stabilisation of batter and bridge assets
• Alteration of timing of works to avoid rainy conditions, high water levels, high flows and high tides
• Improved drainage and foreshore structures to reduce erosion and increase sediment retention prior to entry to sensitive receivers

WATER CORP

• Development of Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines for controlling erosion and sedimentation at Water Corporation construction sites
• Sediment management included in the Drainage for Liveability Program
• Water Corp Rapid Response Processes and Guidelines linked to WC Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION (WA)

• Sediment management included in role of MBA Waste Reduction Consultant
• Sediment management information sessions and training slide
• Sediment management in MBA Smart Waste Guide, website and member kits as part of the Smart Waste Program
• MBA sediment management training brochure
• Sediment management included as a criterion for the MBA Building Industry Awards

HOUSING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (WA)

• Sediment management information sessions

URBAN DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA (WA)

• Sedimentation information included in the IPWEA Local Government Subdivision Engineering Guidelines
• UDIA subdivision sediment and erosion plan reviewed to ensure lag times are not resulting in sedimentation
• UDIA Civil Tenders Specifications linked to the UWMP and IPWEA Guidelines

Legislation, Regulation and Standards

• Local Government Act Review submission 2018

Raising Awareness

• State NRM Newsletter article
• Sediment presentation PNRM Environment Series
• WA State NRM and Coastal Conference presentation and STF collaborative action case study
• Raised awareness of the link between sedimentation and the increased health associated risks of mosquito/midge borne diseases
• Sediment Task Force website

Development of Resources

• Taking Action to Control Sediment brochure and poster
• Publication of the Regulation for Effective Sediment Management Infosheet (for Local Government)
• Development of an on-site checklist for Local Government Officers to inspect incidences of soil erosion, sediment runoff, sand drift and dust from building, subdivision and construction sites
• Development of an on-site checklist for builders for inspecting sediment loss
• Development of a series of Local Government best practice case studies (ongoing)
• Development of an educational “sediment transport model”
• Work commenced on developing erosion and sediment control guidelines for builders, developers and Local Government

Research, Knowledge and Monitoring

• 1.5 years completed of a 2-year Masters sediment research project at Satterley’s Heron Park housing development in Armadale in partnership with UWA/CRCWSC (valued at $112,500)
• ECU Local Laws survey to determine local government’s response to sediment loss caused by urban development and how effective local laws are as a tool for managing and controlling erosion and sedimentation.

Research into sediment run-off

The Sediment Task Force discovered a lack of research on the issue of sediment control and is helping to launch a study to evaluate and quantify sediment arising from urban development. It will provide insights into the discharge of sediment as water-borne particulates.

The study will be undertaken in conjunction with the University of Western Australia and as part of the Australian Governments’ Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities (Perth).
The findings will inform decision making to manage sediment impact on water quality and drainage infrastructure, and help meet environmental standards on construction sites.

The Cities of Armadale, Gosnells and Kwinana, DBCA, Main Roads Western Australia, the South East Regional Centre of Urban Landcare, the Water Corporation and the West Australian Local Government Association have contributed financial and in-kind support valued at $93,500 towards this two-year project. The Department of Water and Perth NRM have provided in-kind support to the value of $1,500 to help ensure the success of this study.

Updated progress on the study is now available here.

Back row (from left to right); Rachelle Gill (HIA), Jason Pitman (Perth NRM), Vic Andrich (Department of Health), Paul Bodlovich (Perth NRM), Dr Carlos Ocampo (UWA, CRCWSC). Front row; Yamin Ma (Proxy, Water Corporation), Veronique Largier, Michelle Crow (Proxy, DBCA), Megan Stone (City of Armadale) and Pat Hart (SERCUL).

State Government

Vic Andrich representing the Department of Health WA

• Vic is the Department of Health WA’s Senior Policy Officer for their Science and Policy Unit and has been a member of the Sediment Task Force since 2018.

Debbie Besch representing the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

• Debbie Besch is the Healthy Catchments and Coordination Program Manager of the Rivers and Estuaries Branch of DBCA.
• Debbie has been a member of the Task Force since 2014 and has been working on sediment management related projects since 2009.
• Debbie is involved in the Task Force as sediment is having adverse effects on the health of waterways throughout the Swan Canning Catchment. Debbie thinks that with increasing urbanisation there will be greater pressure on our waterways, so we need to work collaboratively to address this issue.
• Debbie believes that the most important issue for the Task Force to address is to ensure there is a standard approach by all local and state authorities to manage sand drift through the stages of development.

Emily Cranstoun representing Main Roads WA

• Emily is Main Roads WA’ s Environmental Officer for the Planning and Technical Services section of their Environment Branch. Emily is a new member of the Task Force, temporarily replacing Shane Collins during 2019. Shane (and Main Rds) has been a member of the Sediment Task Force since its inception in 2014.

Ben Stone representing the Water Corporation

• Ben is the Water Corporation’s Senior Advisor for the Environment & Contaminated Sites, Governance, Assurance and Approvals section and has been a member of the Sediment Task Force since its inception in 2014.

Local Government

Mark Batty representing the WA Local Government Association (WALGA)

• Mark is WALGA’s Executive Manager of Environment & Waste and has been a member of the Sediment Task Force since its inception in 2014.

Charles Sullivan representing the City of Cockburn

• Charles is the City of Cockburn’s Director of Engineering and Works and has been a member of the Sediment Task Force since August 2018.

Veronique Largier representing the City of Subiaco

• Veronique is the City of Subiaco’s Environmental Project Officer for their Operations and Environment Services section and has been a member of the Sediment Task Force since August 2018.

Geoffrey Mace representing the City of Kwinana

• Geoffrey is the City of Kwinana’s Engineering Development Officer and has been a member of the Sediment Task Force since February 2018.

Industry

David Coremans representing the Urban Development Institute of Australia WA

• David is the Principal Environmental Consultant, Team Leader – Hydrology, for Emerge Associates and member of UDIA(WA), and has been a member of the Sediment Task Force since October 2014.

Aaron Sice representing the Housing Industry Association WA (HIAWA)

• Aaron Sice is the Assistant Director of Building and Planning for HIA (WA). Aaron joined the Sediment Task Force in November 2019.

The Masters Builders Association of Western Australia (MBAWA)

• A replacement representative is currently being sought. Our appreciation goes to Philip Kemp for his involvement in the Sediment Task Force since its inception in 2014.

Community

Jason Pitman, representing Perth NRM

• Jason has been involved in the Sediment Taskforce since 2017 and represents Perth NRM by providing advice in how we can collectively overcome sediment issues facing our waterways and wetlands.
• Jason has several years’ experience in delivering and coordinating water programs and provides strategic insight from a catchment-scale perspective.
• Jason wants to see the STF optimise our concerted effort in communicating and supporting actions to prevent erosion and while working to improve compliance among those who do not adhere to regulatory expectations.

Pat Hart representing the South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL)

• Pat Hart is the Chairperson of the South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare; a position she has held for 17 years. Pat has been a member of the Task Force since 2014.
• Pat is involved in the Task Force due to her desire to reduce the amount of sediment entering the deep pools in the Canning River and its tributaries and to improve water quality in the Swan and Canning River system.
• Pat’s experience is considerable and diverse and includes her involvement as a Local Government Councillor, Board Member of the Swan River Trust and the Swan Canning Cleanup Taskforce. She was involved in the development of the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Manual for Darling Range 2001 and the EMRC Local Government guidelines for Sediment Control 2008
• Pat believes the most important issue for the Task Force to address in regards to preventing erosion and sedimentation is ensuring that policies and guidelines are agreed to and implemented by all Local Governments in the Perth metropolitan area.

Together with builders, residents, Local Government and environmental managers, the Sediment Task Force is working to control sediment to:

• Protect hydrological functions of rivers, wetlands and other water ways
• Reduce the risk of flooding houses and roads as a result of blocked stormwater drains
• Prevent sediment from smothering the reeds, plants and seagrasses that keep our rivers, wetlands and oceans healthy
• Protect aquatic invertebrates and benthic algae populations, whose presence is necessary for waterways to remain healthy ecosystems
• Prevent fish, prawns, crabs and other aquatic wildlife being killed due to the detrimental effects of sediments entering ecosystems
• Prevent sediment from covering grass in the parks that receive stormwater runoff
• Reduce nutrient enrichment of waterways and associated algal blooms
• Prevent the creation of breeding grounds for pest and potential disease causing mosquitoes and midges and protect public health from mosquito-borne diseases and pathogens
• Help to maintain stormwater management systems such as biofilters, pervious paving, infiltration cells and tree pits that are critical to protecting our rivers, wetlands, marshlands and oceans
• Reduce the risks of accidents on roads and paths.

Success in sediment control will:

• Reduce the costs to governments and the community for stormwater and river and wetland management
• Protect wetland hydrological and biological functions and water quality values
• Protect our local parks (where storm water is often discharged)
• Protect the aesthetic value of rivers, wetlands, marshlands and oceans that are icons of the natural beauty of Perth and regional WA
• Reduce sand and sediment build up on roads
• Reduce the costs of supplying sand for building sites and fill for urban development.