​City of Canterbury Bankstown is part of a taskforce cracking down on building site litter and construction waste. 

The ‘Get the Site Right’ campaign will see Council join more than 20 other councils, along with the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) and NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), for a state-wide blitz during May. 

Council Officers will be undertaking inspections of local building sites, with a focus on their environmental conditions including sediment and erosion controls, tree protection measures and loose litter containments. 

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said the blitz will be targeting those doing the wrong thing. 

“We conducted a similar blitz last year and the results were alarming,” Mayor Asfour said. “Only 11 out of the 116 inspected sites were compliant on their first visit.” 

“These inspections are part of our efforts to remind builders and developers that they have a critical role to play in reducing harm on our waterways. 

“Sediment run-off from construction sites usually contain materials that contaminate water and harm our aquatic plants and animals.” 

In last year’s blitz, rectification notices were issued for minor breaches, while more serious breaches were dealt with through penalty notices. Council issued a total of 39 penalty infringement notices, amounting to $119,000. 

With the NSW construction industry generating more than 12 million tonnes of waste per annum, the ‘Get the Site Right’ campaign aims to raise awareness about the harmful effects of sediment runoff on waterways and highlight the importance of protecting our natural environment and wildlife. 

Builders and developers are required to correctly contain and dispose of litter and other waste as part of a waste management plan for their site, in addition to their comprehensive erosion and sediment control plans. 

The one-day inspection blitz will take place on Thursday 18 May, with a follow-up expected to be held in October. 

Members of the public are encouraged to report pollution incidents to Council on 9707 9000 or online at cb.city/ReportIt.