This project aims to improve construction management practices and levels of compliance regarding erosion and sediment control (ESC) resulting in improvements in our waterways wetlands and ocean health.
Sunshine Coast Council launched the Construction Management and Waterway Protection Taskforce in 2021. It aims to improve practices and levels of compliance regarding erosion and sediment control. It then established a purpose-built facility to help educate the sector and investigate solutions.
The taskforce and trial site help improve understanding and practice in managing erosion and sediment on construction sites, to reduce sediment loads washing down gutters, stormwater drains, and into our waterways and ocean.
The taskforce has carried out over 406 development site inspections and 1649 building site inspections. The RESET trial site has trialled new methods, products and techniques.
The taskforce and trial site aims to improve understanding and practice in managing erosion and sediment on construction sites, to reduce sediment loads washing down gutters, stormwater drains, and into our waterways and ocean.
Due to increased compliance and improved use of best practice by the industry the task force’s work has resulted in over 5,122 dump trucks of sediment being saved from going into our waterways and stormwater drain.
The International Erosion Control Association has identified Sunshine Coast Council as the leader in best practice erosion and sediment control in South East Queensland. They have picked up many awards in this arena.
The Construction Management and Waterways Protection Taskforce has been recognised at:
The purpose-built erosion and sediment control (ESC) facility known as the RESET site has been recognised with:
During rainfall, large amounts of sediment can be washed into local waterways, especially where the land has been cleared leaving soil exposed.The Sunshine Coast Council’s Environment Levy funds an innovation taskforce and trial site tackling the issue head on.
Sunshine Coast Council launched the Construction Management and Waterway Protection Taskforce in 2021. It aims to improve construction management practices and levels of compliance regarding erosion and sediment control (ESC) resulting in improvements in our waterways wetlands and ocean health.
It has facilitated a comprehensive education program for all parts of the construction sector, working with the industry to reduce the potential for erosion and minimise site run-off that may damage our prized waterways or clog roadside gutters and stormwater drains.
To help educate the sector and further investigate solutions, Council established the RESET site, a purpose-built erosion and sediment control (ESC) facility.
The site demonstrates and supports:
The Construction Management and Waterways Protection Taskforce hosted a delegation from the Ministry of Public Works in Timor-Leste during their visit to the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday 21 February 2024.
Their Australian visit was part of a wider program by the Timorese Government to assist with the development of their economy including upskilling, engagement and partnering with international organisations. While in Australia, the delegation visited organisations delivering training, workforce development and major infrastructure projects.
Dili, the capital city of Timor-Leste, is experiencing significant issues managing environmental impacts from development, including erosion and sediment control (ESC), land slippages and flooding. Given Sunshine Coast Council's reputation as the leader in best practice erosion and sediment control in South East Queensland by the International Erosion Control Association, the delegate came out to Australia to see first hand.
The focus for the delegates was a visit to an active construction site at Little Mountain. The site, which is approved for 13 residential lots, includes an environmental reserve and drainage lot with a series of ESC control measures to prevent impacts off site, including to mapped waterways. Delegates expressed keen interest in measures including automated ESC equipment and other engineered solutions to manage sediment on site, as well as the mulching and reuse of felled trees for ESC.
Healthy Land & Water
Level 11, 240 Queen St
GPO Box 735
MEANJIN (BRISBANE)
QLD 4001
Australia
Healthy Land and Water Ltd
ABN 91 115 662 989
