Canterbury-Bankstown Council will join with other Councils, Government agencies and environmental groups in a month-long campaign to catch those cutting corners and doing the wrong thing.  

Now in its ninth year, Get the Site Right focuses on improving erosion and sediment controls on development sites, to stop pollution from escaping and ending up in local waterways. 

Recently, a local construction company was slapped with an $8,000 fine for neglecting to erect sediment fences, or bags, to prevent the pollution of slurry running into the stormwater drain. 

During the developer’s court appearance, the magistrate ruled the lack of sediment controls were inexcusable and should have been in place to avoid damaging the local environment. 

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said the case was just a reminder for other developers and builders to ensure their sites are compliant.  

“It’s simple, not managing sediment on your work site can have serious implications on our environment,” Mayor El-Hayek said. 

“Every developer or builder has a responsibility to meet their environmental obligations and keep themselves and our community safe.” 

Mayor El-Hayek added: “most builders and developers do the right thing, however, there are still some out there cutting corners to save costs.  

“They will be caught, and they will pay a hefty price.” 

Under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, recent legislative changes have increased on-the-spot fines for individuals of $15,000 for the first offence and $22,500 for a second offence, and for companies $30,000 for the first offence and $45,000 for a second offence if water pollution occurs under  

Get the Site Right is a joint taskforce between the Parramatta River Catchment Group, Cooks River Alliance, Georges Riverkeeper, Sydney Coastal Councils Group, Water NSW, NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Department of Planning and Environment and many Sydney Councils.  

Residents are encouraged to report any information regarding non-compliance at building sites to Council on 9707 9000.  

Pollution incidents can also be reported to the Environment Protection Authority on 131 555.