Audit is key to waterway health

Published: 3 February 2012

Council has announced plans to undertake an audit of development and building sites across Logan in a bid to lessen the impacts on the city's waterways.

While growth and development is a key aspect of Logan's future, non compliant land development and building activities can often lead to increased levels of sediment in waterways - one of the main contributors to the poor water quality results which have marred both the Logan and Albert Rivers in recent years.

Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson, Councillor Lisa Bradley (Division 1) said Council would shortly commence inspections of development and building sites across the city to ensure compliance with the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

"High levels of sediment can reduce water quality, smother fish and other aquatic fauna and impact on recreational values and human health and there is a greater risk of sediment impacting Logan's waterways during the wet season," she said.

"Over the next few months, Council compliance officers will be out across the city inspecting residential and subdivision building sites, as well as Council's own development sites, to ensure ongoing awareness of and compliance with the regulations identified in the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

"The audit will allow Council the opportunity to gather data on the level of compliance across the city's building industry."

Cr Bradley said she was also keen to remind residents that they also played a crucial role in ensuring compliance.

"It is the responsibility of all residents and developers, as well as Council, to ensure compliance and to minimise the risk of sediment entering the city's stormwater drains and waterways," she said.

"We urge everyone to control and maintain on-site drainage to reduce the chance of erosion and to ensure erosion and sediment control devices are maintained and in working order.

"On the spot fines of $1000 per individual and $2000 per company may apply for non compliance."

Residents are encouraged to report any non compliance incidents they may see to Council on 3412 3412.