community - 2026-09-29

Pollution controls found lacking at 23 Northern Beaches building sites

Source: www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au

Northern Beaches Council has issued formal warnings to 23 construction sites after surprise inspections uncovered inadequate measures to stop sediment and waste entering local waterways. Only 64 per cent of the 65 sites inspected in August were found to have adequate pollution controls in place.

Northern Beaches Council has issued formal warnings to 23 construction sites after surprise inspections uncovered inadequate measures to stop sediment and waste entering local waterways. Only 64 per cent of the 65 sites inspected in August were found to have adequate pollution controls in place. The inspections were conducted as part of the Get the Site Right campaign, involving council teams, NSW government agencies including the Environment Protection Authority, and coastal environment groups. The campaign targets pollution risks associated with erosion, sediment and waste at building sites. Problems identified during the August operation included uncovered stockpiles and waste materials. Some sites were also missing controls such as sandbags, which form part of the measures used to contain material within construction areas. Council officers issued formal warnings over the shortcomings. The information released by Council did not specify whether any fines were imposed or set out deadlines for the affected sites to complete corrective work. The latest result shows building-site pollution controls remain an ongoing compliance issue across the Northern Beaches, although the rate...