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 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
- 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
- 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
- Sediment management information sessions
- 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.
Jason MacKay representing the Water Corporation
- Jason is the Water Corporation’s Principal Drainage & Liveable Communities/Asset Investment Planning Metro Officer. Jason joined the Task Force in 2020.
Local Government
WA Local Government Association (WALGA)
- New representation is currently being sought. We appreciate the involvement of Mark Batty as the WALGA representative since 2014.
Adele Scarfone representing the City of Canning
- Adele is the City of Canning’s Landscape Construction Officer. Adele joined the Task Force in 2020.
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.
Jason Robertson representing the Masters Builders Association of Western Australia (MBAWA)
- Jason is MBA’s Housing Director and was involved in MBA’s Smart waste program. Jason joined the Task Force in 2020.
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.
Amy Krupa representing the South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL)
- Amy is the CEO of South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare. Amy has extensive experience in environmental education and community involvement and more recently in strategic project management. Amy joined the Task Force in 2020.
