Builders cleaning

A CRACKDOWN on building site litter and pollution in Cardinia Shire is in full swing.
A specialist officer is inspecting sites across the shire, from Officer to Pakenham and Gembrook to Kooweerup, and meeting with builders.
New local laws were introduced by the council last December in a bid to clean up the many building sites and cut back on the amount of industryrelated litter and sediment entering waterways.
The building site local law follows an extended period of community consultation, and is drawn closely from EPA and Melbourne Water guidelines.
Local laws manager Alan Giachin said most builders were complying with the new regulations.
“We thank Cardinia’s builders for getting behind the new law so quickly. They have an important role in protecting our environment by reducing litter at its source,” he said.
Mr Giachin said local laws officers were now embarking on a major education and enforcement campaign.
“We are currently giving verbal warnings and issuing notices to comply, however infringement penalties of $200 and court penalties of up to $2000 could be issued to builders who don’t clean up.
“With the recent wind and heavy rain, it’s important we prevent wind blown litter and silt ending up in our waterways.”
All building permits for sites dated after 23 December will be required to meet Local Law requirements such as asset protection permits, temporary fencing, silt control, rubbish requirements, signage and hygiene facilities.
Under the new local law builders must:
PROVIDE a receptacle of adequate volume and construction for the containment of all windblown refuse and ensure that all windblown refuse is fully contained within it.
PROVIDE a sanitary facility of a minimum standard of a fresh type chemical closet for each building site, except when builders have two adjoining building sites, owned by the same company, one can be utilised by both sites.
ENSURE that all silt generated from site is captured and retained on site.
MUST not leave or permit to be kept any material or rubbish containers on a nature strip or road without a permit.
PROVIDE site fencing in a residential one zone under the Cardinia Planning Scheme. Site fencing means a fence around the entire perimeter of a Building Site and of a height not less than 1500mm. The fencing must only have one access with a width of no wider than 2800mm and must be located to correspond with the vehicle crossing to the site.
PRIOR to commencement of any building work the owner, builder or appointed agent must erect a sign at the main entrance of the building site which is at least 600mm in height and 400mm in width. The sign must be clearly visible from the road and must contain the lot number of the site as described in the relevant certificate of title and identifies the name, postal address and business hours contact telephone number of the person in charge of the site.
For information on how to comply with the new local laws, contact Cardinia Shire Council on 5945 4301.