Erosion and Sediment Control

In early 2024, Ipswich City Council commenced a proactive ESC compliance program. This program specifically targets construction sites within the Ipswich Region. The aim of the auditing process is to improve environmental outcomes and minimise nuisance through increasing the standard of ESC on site. The audit runs through all aspects of erosion and sediment control that would be typically found on site including sediment controls, erosion controls, drainage controls and sediment basins.

Sites are graded on a scale of ‘A’ to ‘F’ based on their level of ESC compliance with best practice measures and overall risk of environmental harm. A pass mark is a ‘C’ grading, however, this does not mean that the level of risk or nuisance no longer exits, more that the level of risk is at a point where compliance is not required. Time and education are invested into sites that receive a ‘D’ or ‘F’ grading to increase knowledge of ESC onsite and improve their grade. However, if a site does not improve after several visits, then the site will be referred for compliance action. Grading is not made publicly available.

In 2024, Ipswich City Council’s ESC Proactive Audit Program received a Merit from the International Erosion Control Association – Australasian Chapter for excellence in innovation or education in the Erosion and Sediment Control Industry.

Large amounts of soil can be lost through erosion - a layer of soil one centimetre deep lost from an average house block is equivalent to approximately five trailer loads of soil. Erosion is worse when there is no ground cover and soil is left exposed. Areas of uncovered soil is common when houses are being built and consequently, are major contributors to this problem in urban areas. Sediment that moves off building and construction sites typically enters stormwater drains untreated, thereby clogging the stormwater system and transporting attached pollutants including oils, heavy metals and hydrocarbons into local waterways.

Improving ESC practises and compliance on building sites is a practical and cost-effective strategy to prevent the amount of sediment run-off on site and meet your legal obligations.

Ways to prevent erosion and soil loss on house sites:

• Soil cover – keep the soil on your site covered.
• Stormwater inlet protection – cover internal stormwater inlets.
• Downpipes and stormwater diversion – if the roof is on, install downpipes.
• Waste bin – keep your site clean and tidy.
• Coarse sediment barrier – install on downslope side and ‘return’ around at ends.
• Stockpile protection – cover stockpile at the end of each day.
• Kerb to lot groundcover – cover with turf and keep vehicles off.
• Capture cement run-off and paint – don’t let it flow down the drain.
• Entry/exit rock pad – stabilise your site access before work begins.
• Site inspections and maintenance – regular inspections is essential to ensure measures are working effectively.

Building Site Resources

• Erosion and Sediment Toolkit for Building Sites
• Builders Field Guide 

Developers and Consultants

Construction sites are prone to erosion problems. It is your responsibility to set up appropriate governance controls and contracts on your project. These must outline how to stop sediment moving off your site. You must take all reasonable and practical steps to prevent sediment and sediment laden water from discharging off your site. This includes developing appropriate erosion and sediment control plans.

Civil contractors

Risk of environmental harm is highest when sites are clearing land and undertaking bulk earthworks. During this time most ground cover and topsoil is removed, exposing Ipswich’s dispersive subsoil. It is the civil contractor’s responsibility to manage the potential environmental impacts on site, including stopping sediment moving off site. Site supervisors need to take reasonable and practicable steps to ensure that everyone on site is aware of their environmental obligations and do not breach environmental laws or development approval conditions. Ensuring erosion and sediment control plans are accessible and implemented on site reduces the potential for breaches to your environmental obligations. 

Council is responsible for ensuring that developers and civil contractors do not cause environmental harm or nuisance. Council officers undertake regular inspections throughout the Ipswich area, distributing education materials and providing advice on what actions can be taken to minimise sediment leaving site.

Construction Site Resources

• Erosion and Sediment on Construction Sites Fact Sheet
• Construction Site Managers Field Guide

Site Monitoring and Maintenance

• Site monitoring should be done on a regular basis by site personnel and any identified issues addressed/corrected.
• Other site monitoring should be undertaken by a suitably qualified person at regular intervals.
• Plans, such as an ESCP, need to be reviewed and amended through a development to ensure measures are appropriate for each stage and weather conditions.
• Any changes to plans or maintenance needs to be undertaken in a timely manner to minimise movement of contaminants into water ways.
• Sediment basins must be treated, emptied and dewatered within 5 days of the last rain event.

All Queenslanders have a legal duty under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 to take all reasonable and practicable measures to minimise or prevent environmental harm. It is an offence to unlawfully deposit soil or other contaminants in waters, a roadside gutter or stormwater drain. It is also an offence to carry out earthwork that exposes the earth in a way where soil could reasonably be expected to wash or otherwise move into waters, a roadside gutter or stormwater drainage, without taking all reasonable and practical measures available. Council may employ a range of tools to keep waterways healthy. Depending on the severity of the breach, Council may give:

• An opportunity to voluntarily fix the problem
• A formal written warning
• Environmental Enforcement Order
• A stop work notice (construction work ceases until Council is satisfied that the site is compliant)
• A penalty infringement notice

Should you wish to report improper ESC practices resulting in soil erosion or sediment entering a roadside gutter or waterway, visit council's Complaints webpage to find out how.