Tuesday, February 24, 2026

A decade of Get the Site Right: Education and collaboration key to protecting NSW’s waterways

Construction site with several workers wearing high‑visibility vests standing on a paved area near machinery and equipment. Behind them is a large logo that reads ‘Get the Site Right – Celebrating 10 Years!’ featuring a city skyline, cranes, and waves.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Get the Site Right initiative which continues to play a vital role in reducing sediment pollution from construction sites and improving waterway health across NSW.

Established in 2016 by the Parramatta River Catchment Group (PRCG) with support from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the initiative expanded the following year to include Sydney’s other catchment groups – the Cooks River Alliance, Georges Riverkeeper, and the Sydney Coastal Councils Group. It now involves more than 20 councils across NSW.

Get the Site Right includes two annual education and compliance campaign highlights the impacts of sediment runoff from construction sites and promotes best-practice erosion and sediment controls to protect water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Alongside the NSW EPA, Council compliance officers conduct inspections of building sites at residential and commercial developments and take regulatory action where required. 

Over the past decade, compliance at inspected sites has averaged 55.4%, and $5,010,291 in fines have been issued, underscoring ongoing challenges in managing sediment runoff amid rapid and growing urban development.

In response, the PRCG and campaign partners are working to expand industry education and training, improve resources for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, and strengthen collaboration with state government agencies to support more consistent monitoring and enforcement.

NSW EPA Executive Director of Operations Stephen Beaman said developers and builders must take responsibility for managing their sites effectively to prevent pollution.

“With more intense rainfall events, the risk of sediment runoff is increasing – damaging aquatic habitats, eroding riverbanks and placing pressure on stormwater systems. 

“Ongoing education, monitoring and enforcement are essential to ensure sediment controls are in place and working as intended,” Mr Beaman said.

Georges Riverkeeper Program Manager, Nell Graham, said the milestone highlights the value of sustained partnership.

“For a decade, councils and the EPA have worked side by side to lift standards in erosion and sediment control and better safeguard our waterways.

“That shared commitment is even more vital as our region grows and climate impacts intensify.

“Preventing sediment pollution takes coordinated action, clear accountability and ongoing investment from all levels of government.”

The March 2026 Get the Site Right campaign will respond to compliance issues identified in the blitz week held last August, where inspections of 618 sites across 12 local government areas found just 46% compliance and resulted in $344,388 in fines. A one-day inspection blitz will be held on Thursday 19 March.