You are responsible for implementing and maintaining best practice erosion and sediment control measures on all your properties, including vacant land under your control.
Refer to the Queensland Government’s advice on meeting environmental obligations and duties.
To assist builders, information on measures to avoid sediment and waste leaving your site is available from Water by Design, including:
Waterway protection measures
Waterway pollution from sediment release through development or construction activities is preventable. Most of this sediment is a result of exposed soil disturbed during construction activities including the clearing of vegetation.
Pollution of our waterways can be prevented by good planning and appropriate site management. Builders must install compliant erosion and sediment control measures before starting ground disturbing works. These control measures are to remain in place until handover. The following erosion and sediment control measures can be implemented for erosion and sediment control compliance for gently sloping sites that are less than 1000 metres.
Erosion control
- Ensure all building materials, skips, portaloo’s etc., are kept within the property boundary
- Ensure compliant ESC measures are in place prior to groundwork
- Clearing just prior to commencing works, and limiting clearing to only areas necessary to undertake building work
- Cover areas of bare soil as soon as possible e.g., use temporary covers such as spray on soil binders, mulch, gravel, sheeting plastic, geofabric
- Avoid disturbing grasses areas, e.g., restrict driving or parking on grassed areas and have a designated parking area
- Cover stockpiles when not in use
- Maintain grass and vegetation on undisturbed areas
- Install a suitably sized rock/gravel pad or rumble grid at entry /exit points to prevent sediment tracking onto the road (use clean, fines free gravel).

Stockpile covered and secure from wind. Source: Healthy Land and Water
More information on erosion control is available from Healthy Land and Water:

Example of an entry point rock / gravel pad Source: Brisbane City Council
Sediment control
The following measures will help prevent sediment leaving your site:
- Install a sediment barrier such as sediment fencing in an area where it can effectively contain and prevent water from moving down slopes
- Maintain a stabilised entry /exit rock pad and clear tracked material / soil from the road
- Divert dirty water behind sediment barriers
- Prevent runoff from entering stormwater gutters and pits
- Install coir logs, sandbags, or silt socks to protect stormwater inlets.
More information on erosion control is available from Healthy Land and Water:
Drainage control
10mm of rain on an average suburban roof of 200m2 can produce 2000 litres of rainwater. To reduce the volume of contaminated runoff by diverting clean stormwater from site:
- Install temporary or permanent downpipes as soon as the roof is in place. This will also help to keep the area dry and workable
- Divert upslope runoff to site catch drains and basins
- Maintain stormwater flow paths.
More information on erosion control is available from Healthy Land and Water:

Example of temporary downpipes on a new house. Source: Catchments & Creeks PTY LTD
Waste and other pollutants
To manage waste and protect the environment:
- Place all waste in a bin preferably with a secure lid and recycle where practical
- Clean up waste and spills immediately
- Contain and dispose of concrete waste, paint and any other trade waste appropriately
- Keep your site tidy and secure, even when unattended
- Be prepared for weather conditions. A well-managed site is a site that is appropriately prepared for both likely and unlikely (but possible) weather conditions.
More information is available: