Over the past two years over 100 truckloads of sand and soil have been dumped into the Parramatta River from construction sites across Parramatta and Holroyd. This 1000 tonnes of sediment has now made its way into Sydney Harbour.

Last year the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust conducted random audits of 145 construction sites in the catchment. The Trust found that over 50% of all audited construction sites within the catchment failed to use proper sediment controls to prevent soil and dirt making its way to Parramatta River, something they are required to do by law. In virtually all the cases very little sediment control had been used on a second audit.

Besides giving the Harbour and river a floodwater-brown colour, sediment in the waterways can cause a number of problems, particularly for aquatic plants and animals. The fine particles that make up sediment prevent light from reaching plants that live on the bottom of our waterways, suppressing their growth and often causing them to die.

Dr Stephen Lees, Executive Officer of the Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust explained, "These plants are often the base of the food chain within the aquatic environment, so without them the smaller animals that feed on plant material die off, having devastating effects for larger animals and the aquatic environment in general"

Sediment also tends to carry other pollutants such as nutrients, bacteria, oil, grease and toxic chemicals. These then all enter our local creeks and streams which feed into the harbour.

Bob Brimble, Holroyd City Council's Manager of Environmental Services said, "As a council we have realised that the main source of the sediment problem comes from construction sites. The problem we are now facing is that developers don't really care about the fines for pollution and often show a great deal of hostility toward council officers who try to enforce these environmental protection methods".

Mr Brimble has acknowledged that construction sites are the main problem and, regardless of the Council's efforts to actively enforce conditions of consent and water quality controls and imposing numerous fines, there has been no improvement in compliance since their introduction.

"We are finding that many of the construction companies we visited on site do not care about fines", said Mr. Brimble.

Dr Stephen Lees commented, "The Trust is working with the Department of Environment and Conservation and local councils to find solutions to this ongoing problem. However, this is a problem that the whole community needs to help solve. If you see mud and dirt washing off building sites into our stormwater drains make sure you report it to your local council. Remember that the drain is just for rain".

Further information on erosion and sediment control can be obtained from the Department of Environment and Conservation's pollution line (131 555) or their website www.dec.nsw.gov.au/envirom/stormwater.htm.