Stormwater NSW October Webinar

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Stormwater NSW is hosting an upcoming webinar – what price stormwater? Using market -based instruments to incentivise good stormwater management.

Market-based instruments (MBIs) have emerged in recent decades as a promising environmental policy tool that can complement traditional forms of environmental management, that is, government provision, regulation and education.

Opportunities for applying MBIs to stormwater management have been researched in Australia and internationally, leading to the investigation and take-up of MBIs in several jurisdictions.

This webinar, hosted by Stormwater NSW and sponsored by Water Technology, will introduce the history of stormwater-related MBIs and showcase several examples.

You’ll hear from leading researchers and economists about not only the economic basis of MBIs but also their technical, social and administrative aspects.

The future of stormwater-related MBIs in Australia will also be explored.

Date:

Thursday, 2 October 2025

Time:

12:00 – 1:30pm

Location:

Zoom Webinar

Member Rate:

Free Attendance

Non Member Rate:

$50.00

Register Now!

Coastal Resilience Under Review: National and NSW Reports Highlights the Need for Greater Support for Coastal Councils

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Media Release

17 September 2025

The Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG) welcomes the release of two major reports that underscore the urgent need for coordinated action and greater support for local government to address coastal risks in NSW and across Australia.

The NSW Audit Office’s Coastal Management Framework Audit identifies key gaps in how state agencies are supporting Councils in developing and implementing Coastal Management Programs (CMPs). CMPs identify local coastal hazards and outline actions to manage risks such as erosion, inundation, poor water quality and reduced ecological health. These programs are essential tools for building resilience and protecting coastal assets, ecosystems and communities.

The Audit found that the framework is not being effectively implemented to manage the NSW coastal environment. Seven years after the framework came into effect, most councils are still developing CMPs, and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is not effectively overseeing or facilitating implementation. The Office recommends greater support to be provided to coastal councils which Sydney Coastal Councils Group has long advocated for.

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Government’s National Climate Risk Assessment, highlights sea level rise and coastal erosion as some of the most pressing climate hazards threatening Australia’s coastal communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems. It provides a framework for prioritising adaptation actions which are identified in the recently released National Adaptation Plan. The plan recognises the need for the Australian Government to work with all levels of government to respond to these challenges through the delivery of mechanisms such as funding and consistency of policies.

Councillor Shannon Welch, Chair of the Sydney Coastal Councils Group, said:

“The National Adaptation Plan rightly calls for coordinated action, but without equitable funding, councils are left unable to implement the very measures the Commonwealth has prioritised. Coastal erosion and sea level rise are not future threats, they are happening now, and Sydney’s coastal councils need urgent support.”

Local governments play a frontline role in climate adaptation, yet many are struggling to access the resources needed to protect their communities and natural assets. Sydney, home to iconic coastlines and critical infrastructure, is particularly exposed. The Australian Government must ensure that funding mechanisms like the Disaster Ready Fund are accessible, transparent and fairly distributed, enabling councils to deliver on the national climate resilience agenda.

The development of CMPs in Sydney can be a complex process, particularly where multiple councils share interconnected coastal environments. Several CMPs are being developed collaboratively across local government boundaries to ensure consistent approaches to assessing and responding to sea level rise and other coastal hazards. These joint efforts also support more integrated and effective management of waterway health. One such example is the CMP for Sydney Harbour, which involves eight councils working together to address shared challenges and deliver coordinated outcomes for one of Australia’s most iconic systems.

Sarah Joyce, Executive Director of the SCCG and Project Manager of the Outer Sydney Harbour CMP said:

“Sustained support is essential to develop and implement CMPs that effectively address the risks of climate change on our coasts. We call on the NSW and Commonwealth Governments to urgently commit to long-term funding, clearer policy guidance and greater support to help councils deliver the coastal resilience our communities need.”

 

Read the NSW Audit Office report: https://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/our-work/reports/coastal-management

Learn more about the National Climate Risk Assessment and National Adaptation Plan: https://www.acs.gov.au/pages/national-climate-risk-assessment

Learn more about the Outer Sydney Harbour CMP: Outer Sydney Harbour Coastal Management Program – Sydney Coastal Councils Group Inc

 

Media contact:

Sarah Joyce
Executive Director of the Sydney Coastal Councils Group
sarah@sydneycoastalcouncils.com.au
0407733075

End of Release

Download the SCCG’s media release here

Stronger site controls key to protecting waterways for recreation and wildlife

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MEDIA RELEASE
25 August 2025

With increasing residential building activity1 and a wetter-than-usual spring forecast 2, the upcoming ‘Get the Site Right’ Blitz Week (25-29 August 2025) serves as an urgent reminder for builders to focus on proper site management to protect our rivers, beaches, and harbours from construction and demolition waste.

Get the Site Right is a joint effort by catchment groups, local councils, and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to strengthen erosion and sediment controls on building sites across NSW, preventing waste and sediment runoff from polluting local waterways.

The campaign’s urgency is underscored by findings from the March 2025 blitz, which revealed that compliance on construction sites was only 48.3 per cent. Regulatory staff across 20 councils and the EPA inspected 867 sites and issued more than 70 penalty notices totalling $404,780 for breaches including sediment run-off and poor stockpile controls.

With harsher penalties now in place, including on-the-spot fines starting at $15,000 for individuals and $30,000 for corporations, the August blitz is a critical reminder for builders and developers to get their sites right.

NSW EPA Executive Director Operations Jason Gordon emphasised the importance of effective site management.

“Proper erosion and sediment control is not just a regulatory requirement – it’s essential for protecting our waterways and the communities that rely on them,” Mr Gordon said.

“During heavy rain, even minor compliance breaches on construction sites can potentially cause major pollution incidents in our rivers and creeks,” he added.

Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG) Chair, Councillor Shannon Welch highlighted the mounting pressures that coastal councils face from urban development and climate-driven rainfall and the importance of the campaign.

“Stronger site controls are not only about compliance, they’re about protecting the health of our waterways, safeguarding biodiversity and ensuring safe recreational spaces for our communities,” Councillor Welch said.

“The SCCG commends the collaborative effort behind this initiative and encourage builders and developers to take proactive responsibility for their environmental impact,” Councillor Welch added.

A range of educational material, including a site maintenance checklist and information leaflets for builders and home renovators, can be accessed here: ourlivingriver.com.au/getthesiteright

Members of the public are encouraged to report pollution incidents, including poor sediment control, to
their local council or the NSW EPA by emailing info@epa.nsw.gov.au or phoning the Environment Line on 131 555.

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Note to Editors:

Overlay available for media use here.

Images available on request.

1 Australian Construction Activity Stalls in Q1 2025, with Residential Building Offering a Bright Spot | Master Builders Association

2 Australian climate outlooks

 

Sydney Coastal Council Group media enquiries: 

Thea Thompson
Office Manager
Email: admin@sydneycoastalcouncils.com.au