Get the Site Right October 2023 Campaign
More NSW builders are ‘getting the site right’ according to results from the latest inspection blitz in October 2023.
Regulatory staff from 17 councils across Greater Sydney and regional NSW conducted 1,178 inspections of 978 building and construction sites.
Almost 70 per cent of sites were found to be compliant following a second inspection – an increase of six per cent in compliance since the previous inspection blitz in May 2023.
There was also an 18 per cent improvement in compliance between first and second inspections, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring and ongoing education.
For non-compliant sites, councils issued 66 penalty notices to the value of $314,824.
Offences included poorly stabilised access points and damaged or no sediment fences and other controls.
Sediment not properly contained on building sites can be washed or blown off the site and into stormwater drains, reducing water quality in local waterways and harming aquatic life.
Sydney Coastal Council’s Group (SCCG) Chair, Councilor Jack Boyd, said the continued improvement in compliance rate was encouraging as the group continues its efforts to improve water quality and waterway health in Sydney’s waterways.
“The steady improvement in compliance rate highlights the important role builders and developers play in protection our local waterways and environment,” Cr Boyd said.
“It is very pleasing to see so many councils participating in the Get the Site Right campaign in a strong and coordinated effort across Sydney’s waterways once again and I commend all our SCCG councils for getting involved,” Cr Boyd said.
Get the Site Right is a joint taskforce between the Cooks River Alliance, Georges Riverkeeper, NSW Environment Protection Authority, NSW Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Parramatta River Catchment Group, Sydney Coastal Councils Group, WaterNSW, and councils across NSW.
The next inspection blitz will be held in May 2024.
Members of the public are encouraged to report pollution incidents, including poor sediment control, to their local council or via the NSW EPA’s 24-hour Environment Line on 131 555.
For the full media release, please click here.
Harnessing NARCliM for Coastal Management & Climate Adaptation
/in Uncategorised /by SCCG AdminSCCG’s member councils are at the forefront of addressing the impacts of climate change on our coastal regions. A critical tool in their arsenal is the NSW and ACT Regional Climate Modelling (NARCliM) project, which provides high-resolution climate data to support informed decision-making.
NARCliM is instrumental in coastal management initiatives, particularly in assessing the risks of sea level rise, coastal inundation, and water quality issues. By integrating NARCliM data into their projects, our member councils are better equipped to develop robust climate adaptation strategies, including detailed adaptation plans (DAPs).
The evidence-based insights provided by NARCliM allow councils to incorporate accurate risk assessments into their planning processes, ensuring that their communities are resilient to the challenges posed by climate change.
To learn more about the benefits of NARCliM and how it supports our region’s adaptation efforts, watch SCCG’s Executive Director highlight these key messages in a recent video from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). To view the video series, visit DCCEEW’s Youtube.
You can also view the Minister’s latest media release here.
Little Penguin Recovery Program Featured on ABC Radio
/in Uncategorised /by SCCG AdminThe Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG), in partnership with Transport for NSW (Maritime), Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), launched its Little Penguin education video, which aims to improve education of the boating community around protections in place at Spring Cove in Sydney Harbour.
The SCCG urges all small recreational watercraft operators to follow the boating rules in Spring Cove, Manly, designed to protect this critically endangered population of Little Penguins.
SCCG’s Executive Director, Sarah Joyce, was recently featured in an interview on ABC Radio to discuss the Little Penguin Recovery Program, which can be listened to below.
For more information on the Little Penguin Recovery Program click here.
Plastic Free July: SCCG’s Commitment to a Cleaner Coastline
/in Uncategorised /by SCCG AdminThe SCCG is proud to support Plastic Free July, an important initiative dedicated to reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable practices. By encouraging individuals and communities to refuse single-use plastics, the initiative aims to create lasting change that benefits both our environment and future generations.
SCCG’s advocacy for litter prevention aligns with the Plastic Free July campaign. Clean beaches, coastal areas, and waterways free from plastic are essential for the health of our marine ecosystems and the enjoyment of public spaces.
While the campaign is a month-long initiative, the principles it promotes should be embraced year-round. SCCG encourages everyone to continue their efforts beyond July, making plastic reduction a permanent part of their daily lives.
For more information on Plastic Free July and how you can get involved, visit https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/.
National Science Week with SIMS: Integrating Traditional Knowledge and Marine Science
/in Uncategorised /by SCCG AdminJoin SIMS at Q Station, Manly, for the SIMS National Science Week Event on Tuesday, 13 August! This event will explore the theme “Species Survival – More than Just Sustainability” through the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in marine science. Highlights include a panel discussion on TEK integration, a tour of the endangered seagrass Posidonia restoration site, and a presentation by the Sydney Seahorse Project on their conservation efforts. Enjoy engaging conversations, food, and mingling with marine science experts. Don’t miss this opportunity to dive deep into the future of species conservation!
Order of proceedings:
Expert Panel Composition & key topics:
Don’t miss this chance to be part of an inspiring conversation on species conservation. This is a unique opportunity to support and advance effective two-way knowledge exchange with Traditional Owners in our own backyard!
Register here!
SCCG Media Release – 12 June 2024
/in Uncategorised /by SCCG AdminWith penguin breeding season underway, the Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG) is urging all recreational watercraft operators to follow the boating rules in Sydney Cove, Manly, designed to protect a critically endangered population of Little Penguins.
A monitoring report prepared by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) revealed the continuing poor results of breeding population numbers, which have reduced considerably at Manly. The monitoring results for the 2023-2024 season show that there are currently 19 breeding pairs, a reduction in last year’s results.
The SCCG’s Executive Officer, Sarah Joyce, said that these numbers are the lowest recorded and urgent action needs to be taken to address the range of threats so that we can see the population recover.
One of the key threats to the population is boat strike. The SCCG, in partnership with Transport for NSW (Maritime), Northern Beaches Council and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), wants to increase awareness of the boating rules in Spring Cove to reduce this threat causing the death of more Little Penguins. Boats are encouraged to watch SCCG’s education video which identifies the various rules put in place to protect the population including speeding limits and areas to avoid anchoring.
Finally, a message from Erica Mahon, Senior Threatened Species Officer with DCCEEW on the future of Little Penguins in Spring Cove.
“There is always hope for the Little Penguin population but we need everyone to pitch in to make sure these penguins have a future here in Manly” Ms Mahon said.
Simple boating rules for Spring Cove, Manly:
The Little Penguin education video can be viewed below:
Raw footage of the Manly Little Penguins for news purposes available below:
For SCCG’s media release: Little Penguins Media Release.
Upcoming Grant Opportunity: Local Government Waste Solutions Fund
/in Uncategorised /by SCCG AdminThe New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has unveiled a significant funding opportunity aimed at revolutionising waste management practices at the local level. With a commitment of $10 million over five years, spanning from 2023 to 2027, the Local Government Waste Solutions Fund seeks to empower councils across the state to address pressing waste management issues.
Under this initiative, individual councils can access grants of up to $200,000, while collaborations of councils have the potential to secure up to $400,000 in funding. These grants are designed to support the development and delivery of innovative projects such as the enhancement of waste management infrastructure, educational programs, and community engagement activities.
Round 3 of funding is expected to commence in September 2024. The aim is to foster partnerships and initiatives that promote efficient and environmentally sound waste management solutions tailored to local needs.
The NSW EPA’s Local Government Waste Solutions Fund underscores the agency’s commitment to partnering with councils to drive meaningful change in waste management practices. By investing in projects that address key challenges, the fund aims to create a more sustainable future for communities across New South Wales.
For further details and application guidelines, visit the NSW EPA website here.
Get the Site Right Campaign kicks off for May 2024
/in Media Announcement, SCCG News /by SCCG AdminMEDIA RELEASE
1 May 2024
Builders urged to ‘get the site right’ to avoid wasting costly building supplies and protect our waterways
Builders and developers are being urged to safeguard their construction materials from high wind and other strong weather events to prevent pollution of local waterways as this year’s Get the Site Right campaign kicks off on Wednesday 1 May.
Now in its eighth year, Get the Site Right is a joint taskforce between the Cooks River Alliance, Georges Riverkeeper, NSW Dept of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Parramatta River Catchment Group, Sydney Coastal Councils Group, WaterNSW, and councils across NSW.
As part of the month-long campaign, officers from the NSW EPA, DPHI, and more than 20 councils will participate in inspections for a one-day compliance blitz on Thursday 16 May.
The 2024 campaign’s focus is on pollution prevention through securing construction materials.
2023’s Get the Site Right blitz saw a 6% increase in compliance between the May and October campaigns and the taskforce is aiming for even higher levels of compliance this year.
To read the full media release, click the link below:
SCCG Media Release Get the Site Right May 2024.
SIMS Project Restore Socio-economic Survey
/in Partner News /by SCCG AdminProject Restore, led by the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) is a significant multi-habitat restoration project taking place right here in Sydney Harbour! Read more about the project here.
The team at SIMS are interested in the social and economic benefits which may come from this restoration project. To understand this they are surveying locals, visitors and businesses about their experience of using and visiting locations around Sydney Harbour. The locations listed in the survey are specific to our Project Restore restoration sites.
We know Sydney Harbour is an incredibly diverse playground – whether you’re swimming, kayaking, boating, commuting or diving, tell us about your experience!
Fill in the survey here and share how you enjoy and interact with the harbour!
NSW waterways benefit from continued improvement in building site compliance
/in Media Announcement /by SCCG AdminGet the Site Right October 2023 Campaign
More NSW builders are ‘getting the site right’ according to results from the latest inspection blitz in October 2023.
Regulatory staff from 17 councils across Greater Sydney and regional NSW conducted 1,178 inspections of 978 building and construction sites.
Almost 70 per cent of sites were found to be compliant following a second inspection – an increase of six per cent in compliance since the previous inspection blitz in May 2023.
There was also an 18 per cent improvement in compliance between first and second inspections, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring and ongoing education.
For non-compliant sites, councils issued 66 penalty notices to the value of $314,824.
Offences included poorly stabilised access points and damaged or no sediment fences and other controls.
Sediment not properly contained on building sites can be washed or blown off the site and into stormwater drains, reducing water quality in local waterways and harming aquatic life.
Sydney Coastal Council’s Group (SCCG) Chair, Councilor Jack Boyd, said the continued improvement in compliance rate was encouraging as the group continues its efforts to improve water quality and waterway health in Sydney’s waterways.
“The steady improvement in compliance rate highlights the important role builders and developers play in protection our local waterways and environment,” Cr Boyd said.
“It is very pleasing to see so many councils participating in the Get the Site Right campaign in a strong and coordinated effort across Sydney’s waterways once again and I commend all our SCCG councils for getting involved,” Cr Boyd said.
Get the Site Right is a joint taskforce between the Cooks River Alliance, Georges Riverkeeper, NSW Environment Protection Authority, NSW Dept of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Parramatta River Catchment Group, Sydney Coastal Councils Group, WaterNSW, and councils across NSW.
The next inspection blitz will be held in May 2024.
Members of the public are encouraged to report pollution incidents, including poor sediment control, to their local council or via the NSW EPA’s 24-hour Environment Line on 131 555.
For the full media release, please click here.
Sydney coastal councils reject NSW Government’s attempts to shift costs for NSW Beachwatch to local government
/in Media Announcement /by SCCG AdminThe NSW Government is attempting to shift the costs of its successful and long-running NSW Beachwatch program to coastal councils in Sydney. The NSW Beachwatch program helps people make informed decisions about when and where to swim.
Sydney Coastal Councils Group (SCCG), representing nine coastal and estuarine councils in Sydney, supports the program’s value to not only local residents but to the broader NSW community and international tourists that visit our world-renowned beaches. However, it rejects the NSW Government’s attempts to shift the cost of the program to local councils for what is a state government responsibility.
Generally, Councils have no control over the land or waterways below mean high water where Beachwatch monitoring is conducted. Councils also have no control over sewers which is the primary source of bacteriological contamination of waterways that impact on swimming.
Costs for the service provided by the NSW Government to coastal councils represent a significant financial impost on councils that are already grappling with increasing community expectations, constrained budgets and other forms of state government cost-shifting.
In light of this, the SCCG calls on the NSW Government to maintain the NSW Beachwatch program as a fully-funded state program without shifting costs to Sydney coastal councils.
SCCG also calls on the Minister for the Environment, in consultation with the Minister for Water, to request Sydney Water, as the provider of sewerage services in Sydney, to take a role in water quality monitoring at Beachwatch sites.