Camden Council is issuing an urgent reminder to builders, encouraging them to focus on proper site management to protect our rivers and waterways ahead of Get the Site Right Blitz Week.
Beginning on Monday 25 August and running until Friday 29 August, Get the Site Right is a joint effort by catchment groups, local councils and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to strengthen erosion and sediment controls on building sites across the state, preventing waste and sediment runoff from polluting local waterways.
The campaign's urgency is underscored by findings from the March 2025 blitz, which revealed compliance on construction sites was only 48.3 per cent. Regulatory staff across 20 councils and the EPA inspected 867 sites and issued more than 70 penalty notices, totalling $404,780 for breaches including sediment run-off and poor stockpile controls.
With harsher penalties now in place, including on-the-spot fines starting at $15,000 for individuals and $30,000 for corporations, the August blitz is a critical reminder for builders and developers to get their sites right.
Mayor of Camden, Cr Ashleigh Cagney, said the reminder was particularly relevant with all the development occurring across the Camden area.
"With increasing residential building activity and a wetter-than-usual spring forecast, we really need our builders to be doing the right thing on their sites to protect our local environment and waterways," she said.
Sediment and erosion controls are so important for our waterways and the animals that live in them - and that includes the platypus, which is Council's logo and mascot as many would know.
"By getting site controls right from the start and doing the right thing continuously, builders can help prevent serious damage that can take years and millions of dollars to repair.
"Let's work together to make sure our waterways remain safe, healthy and beautiful for generations to come. We all need to take pride in this beautiful area we are lucky enough to call home."
NSW EPA Executive Director Operations, Jason Gordon, emphasised the importance of effective site management.
"Proper erosion and sediment control is not just a regulatory requirement - it's essential for protecting our waterways and the communities that rely on them," Mr Gordon said.
"During heavy rain, even minor compliance breaches on construction sites can potentially cause major pollution incidents in our rivers and creeks."
Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG) Chair, Councillor Penny Pedersen, said the ability to open natural swimming spots along the Parramatta River and other waterways depends on ongoing efforts to improve water quality.
"As we look forward to the opening of the Bedlam Bay swim site in Gladesville later this year, alongside progress at planned sites at Mort Bay, Callan Park and Cockatoo Island, preventing sediment-laden runoff in the Parramatta River and other waterways remains a key focus," Ms Pedersen said.
"Get the Site Right continues to play a vital role in promoting environmental responsibility and creating safe places for swimming and other aquatic recreation."
For more information, including a site maintenance checklist and information leaflets
for builders and home renovators, visit https://www.ourlivingriver.com.au/help-the-
