Sediment Management

The Sediment Task Force brings together the knowledge of government, builders, land developers and the community to create resources to tackle some of the environmental impacts of building development

The Sediment Taskforce has brought the private and public sectors to look at the problem of sediment loss from subdivision, building sites and roadworks entering our storm drains and waterways.

New! Erosion and Sediment Control Information Sheets published

A new series of information sheets has been developed by the Sediment Task Force to help Western Australian builders, land developers, Local Government Officers, homeowners and residents prevent water pollution by keeping soil on site.

All Audiences
Builders
Developers
Local Government
Residents

The economic cost of erosion and sediment loss from construction sites.

A summary of current data and case studies illustrating the economic costs of unmitigated erosion and sediment loss during subdivision, residential and commercial building construction and roadworks.

Download this STF report here

Download the Summary of Key Findings from the STF Report


UWA/CRCWSC Heron Park Sediment Research Report

This report summarises findings from a research project commissioned by the Sediment Task Force, which is a partnership between Perth Natural Resource Management (NRM), the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions (DBCA) and other government environmental managers and enforcement agencies, leading housing industry groups, local government authorities, and community groups. The Sediment Task Force represents a collaborative approach to develop solutions that prevent sediment run-off, particularly, but not exclusively, from building sites.

This project was established to provide field data that identifies activities producing water-borne sediment, and the conditions under which that sediment is discharged from an urban development site, where land is being subdivided, landscaped, and roads and houses constructed. This project specifically aimed to:

  • Explore approaches and test methodologies for quantifying sediment export in urban drains;
  • Quantify sediment export from an exemplar urban development site, across both storm event and baseflow (non-storm) conditions; and
  • Recommend appropriate measures for reducing sediment export in future development activities.

Download the report here


Local Government Tool for Sediment Management

Soil erosion from building, subdivision and construction sites is a major source of stormwater pollution in urban areas of WA. When it enters our waterways or wetlands, sediment (soil, sand, silt and mud) washed from urban areas can cause short and long-term environmental problems.

Sediment can block drains, leading to localised flooding, and obstruct and/or damage stormwater drainage infrastructure and Water Sensitive Urban Design technologies; often resulting in Local Governments having to pay to fix the damage.

Local Government Officers (LGOs) are often charged with the task of monitoring for compliance with State legislation and their own local laws, policies, plans and/or guidelines for erosion and sediment control.

To help LGOs in this important work, the Sediment Task Force has developed an On-Site Checklist for Inspecting Soil Erosion and Sediment Loss from Building, Subdivision and Construction Sites which aims to assist LGOs to quickly identify and inspect incidences of soil erosion, sediment runoff, sand drift and dust from building, subdivision and construction sites; record and follow up on actions to resolve a breach; provide best practice recommendations; and offer useful tips to facilitate a positive and timely solution.

This checklist has been endorsed by WALGA as a necessary tool in the drive for delivering a Waterwise community and to reduce the environmental impact of urban development.

Local Governments are encouraged to use this checklist as their own “in-house” publication. The Checklist could be included in a manual or as part of your internal reporting processes. It’s simple to do: choose the web-based version of the checklist and add your own logo.

An interactive pdf version of the checklist can be downloaded for use in the field; simply ‘save as’ with the name of the site visit to maintain your records. Download the interactive pdf checklist.

A complementary on-site checklist has also been developed for West Australian builders in partnership with the Housing Industry Association of WA.


On-Site Builders Checklist for Preventing Sediment

Free On-Site Builders Checklist for Preventing Sediment Loss now available – a handy new tool for your toolbox!

All builders (including sub-contractors, tradespersons & suppliers) must take responsibility for controlling sediment loss from building sites.

The Sediment Task Force’s Builders Checklist can be used as a guide to prevent soil erosion, sediment runoff, sand drift and dust from building sites. This is good news for builders as it will result in:

  • A reduction in the cost of supplying sand and stockpile losses.
  • A reduction in clean-up costs and reduction in the risk of fines/loss of bond.
  • A better public image and fewer public complaints.
  • More marketable sites and earlier sales.
  • Earlier completion and reduced downtime; and
  • All weather site access and improved wet weather conditions.

Builders can use the checklist when arriving at and leaving site, for regular checks of sites and vacant blocks, and before and after a rain, wind or storm event.

The checklist can help builders identify tasks to do immediately to avoid an infringement and/or possible prosecution.

The checklist also contains information on why covering soil and soil stockpiles is the best way to stop erosion and save money and time, and erosion and soil control tips and recommendations.

Building companies can add their own logo to the checklist for inclusion in a work schedule, guideline, manual and/or for reporting purposes. Download docx version here.

There’s also an editable pdf format so builders can fill out the checklist in the field. Download interactive version here using ‘Save As’.


Local Government Case Studies

Preventing and controlling soil erosion, sediment runoff and sand drift from building, subdivision and construction sites is a significant issue for Local Governments (LGs). The environmental and financial impacts are considerable, and these are managed by Local Governments across Western Australia in diverse ways to varying levels of success.

In order to raise awareness, educate and inspire LGs to trial and/or embrace new tools and mechanisms to more effectively manage soil erosion, sediment runoff and sand drift, the Sediment Task Force has compiled this case study series Examples of Local Government’s response to erosion resulting from urban development in Perth, WA.

Click the links below to access PDFs of each case study.


Other Resources

For builders and developers
Building an environmentally sustainable home?

What you need to know about mitigating building sediment loss from your site:

For local government
Manuals and reports
Partners

We acknowledge and appreciate the support of all our partners, supporters, funding bodies and sponsors.

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