Stormwater and Pollution

Did you know that it is an offence to place material in the gutter? Rainwater that falls and collects in the gutter, otherwise known as stormwater, is protected under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 - Sect 120. In this section it is prohibited for a person to pollute ‘any waters’.

Any ‘prescribed matter’ as identified in schedule 3 of the Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Regulation 1998 (which includes any leaves, grass, sawdust, soil, sand, dog poo, oil and paints) that is placed in or ‘placed in a position where it can fall, descend, be washed, blown or percolate’ into ‘any drain, channel or gutter used or designed to receive or pass rainwater’ is classed as an offence.

A person who is guilty of such an offence may receive a penalty notice for the offence consisting of a fine of $750 for individuals or $1500 for corporations as stipulated in Schedule 1 of the Protection of the Environment Operations (Penalty Notices) Regulation 2004.

It is NOT acceptable to sweep material in the gutter for the street sweeper to collect. Operating on a fortnightly basis, the street sweeper cannot mitigate the environmental impact polluted stormwater can have on our natural waterways.

The following actions can be used as an alternative to sweeping material into the gutter:

General waste can be swept up from the footpath or road and placed into your weekly-collected Red-Lid garbage bin.

Garden vegetation and leaves from trees can be swept up and placed in your Green Lid Vegetation bin. If you don’t have a green bin you can request a new service by downloading the form from the bottom of the waste management page.

Composting is natural and inexpensive. Its great for soil and the garden. Compost bins can be purchased for $29.70 from Council reception at the Town Hall Alexandra St.

If all else fails you can sweep fallen leaves into piles on the nature strip or to the base of trees in your garden or on the nature strip.

It is not illegal to sweep up leaves off the footpath but it is illegal to place them in the gutter once they have been swept up.

Please be aware of your environmental and legal responsibilities within the community. The Council ranger has been instructed to be on the look out for offenders.

If you witness any one committing such an offence please report it to the Council Ranger on (02) 9879 9400.