Soil Erosion, Sediment and Litter from building sites can be a major source of stormwater pollution and can cause:

• Significant harm to the river system and surrounding tributaries environment
• Weed infestation of waterways by sediment settling on the river bed and transporting nutrients
• Loss of valuable top soil and significant public safety problems with sediment washed onto roads and intersections
• Blocked drains creating flooding and increased maintenance cost
• The potential to affect the rivers recreation/fishing pursuits

WASTE COLLECTION AND STORAGE
All solid waste should be stored on-site in a way that prevents material loss caused by wind and water.  Smaller materials such as litter should be contained in covered bins or litter traps formed on three sides by a geotextile wind break or similar device.

Offences relating to depositing litter –
 Environmental Protection Act 1994 section 440D
A person must not unlawfully deposit litter at a place unless
the person has a reasonable excuse.

Maximum penalty (1 penalty unit = $100-00) —
(a) if the offence involves depositing 200L or more of litter an on the spot fine of -

• 16 penalty units for an individual; or
• 64 penalty units for a corporation

(b) if the offence involves dangerous littering or involves depositing more than 
     20L but less than 200L of litter an on the spot fine of —

• 4 penalty units for an individual; or
• 16 penalty units for a corporation

(c) if the offence involves depositing litter from a vehicle an on the spot fine of —

• 3 penalty units for an individual; or
• 12 penalty units for a corporation

(d) otherwise 2 penalty units

In this part—
deposit, litter, at a place, means—
(a) throw, drop or otherwise put the litter on the place; or
(b) leave the litter at the place; or
(c) deal with the litter in a way that causes or allows it to
     fall, blow, wash or otherwise escape onto the place.

Examples are —
A person disposes of litter on a road if the person—
(a) transports the litter in a trailer in a way that causes the litter to be blown out of the trailer and onto the road; or
(b) leaves the litter on private land where it is then washed by rain onto the road.

Meaning of litter
(1) Litter includes—
(a) any waste of a commercial or domestic nature; and
(b) anything that may reasonably be considered to be
     refuse, debris or rubbish; and

Examples of material likely to be litter —

• discarded glass, metal, wood, plastic, paper, fabric or food
• discarded soil, sand, concrete or rock
• garden remnants and clippings
• an abandoned vehicle or an abandoned part of a vehicle

(c)  an abandoned vehicle or an abandoned part of a vehicle.

EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL
Soil erosion on building sites can be a major source of sediment pollution in our waterways.  A single building block can lose up to four truckloads of soil in one storm. Sediment, washed from building sites into gutters and stormwater drains can cause flooding and affects the water quality and fish stocks in our creeks and rivers.

Offences relating to erosion and sediment control -
Environmental Protection Act 1994 section 440ZG
A person must not deposit a prescribed water contaminant into the water, or into a roadside gutter or stormwater drain, or into a place where the contaminant could reasonably be expected to enter water, a roadside gutter or stormwater drain (s.440ZG of the Environmental Protection Act 1994) A person must not release stormwater run-off into water, a roadside gutter or stormwater drainage if that release will result in a build-up of earth in water, a roadside gutter or stormwater drain.

Maximum penalties (1 penalty unit = $100-00)
If the deposit or release is done willfully an on the spot fine of —
(a)  10 penalty units for an individual; or
(b)  20 penalty units for a corporation.

OPERATING HOURS
A person must not carry out building work in a way that makes an audible noise—
(a) on a business day or Saturday, before 6.30a.m or after 6.30p.m; or
(b) on any other day, at any time (eg. Sunday or Public Holiday).

Offences relating to working out of operating hours –
Environmental Protection Act 1994 section 440Q

Maximum penalties (1 penalty unit = $100-00)
An on the spot fine of:
(a) 10 penalty units for an individual; or
(b) 20 penalty units for a corporation