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North Sydney CBD stormwater watch project

Grant number: 2075 Grant funding: $692,000 Local government area/s: North Sydney Council Location/s: North Sydney CBD Project partners: North Sydney Council

The North Sydney central business district (CBD) is one of the largest in Australia and caters for a workforce of more than 50,000. The stormwater runoff from CBD catchments has a negative environmental impact on the waters of Port Jackson through the deposit of pollutants such as litter, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, sediments, silt, nutrient loads and other contaminants.

Objectives

The project's objectives were to:

1. reduce pollutants entering Port Jackson via stormwater runoff from North Sydney CBD, and enhance the look of Sydney Harbour
2. change the attitudes and practices of commercial and business operators, particularly with regard to cleaning/maintenance practices, waste management/storage practices and fuel storage practices
3. accumulate data valuable for comparison, evaluation and use in designing similar future projects.

Description

The North Sydney CBD Stormwater Watch Project implemented a three-pronged approach to reducing stormwater pollution by:

1. installing eight stormwater pollution traps
2. educating business owners and managers in the North Sydney CBD about appropriate environmental management practices to prevent pollution of Sydney Harbour. Food premises, motor vehicle repair shops, print and photographic businesses, and commercial high rise buildings were targeted
3. enforcing the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act).

Methodology and tools

A Stormwater Education Project Officer was appointed to coordinate and implement the project.

Environmental assessment of commercial business operations in the North Sydney CBD was carried out to identify and prevent stormwater pollution at its source. This assessment process involved four phases:

1. Contact the target premises.
2. Audit the premises and provide educational material.
3. Summarise the results and issue a schedule of works if necessary.
4. Conduct a follow-up inspection and post-education survey to ascertain the success of the education program and reiterate its messages.

Commercial business operators received one-on-one education as part of the assessment process. They were also informed of any issues to be resolved, of the changes required to comply with the legislation and of economical and expedient ways to achieve the changes.

In total:

• 442 businesses were involved in the program
• 130 premises were provided with environmental assessments
• 41 schedules of work and 1 prevention notice were issued
• 20 follow-up inspections were completed.

The project was supported by a project launch, media releases, a public display, and environmental education materials for distribution to commercial premises and the wider North Sydney community.

The following were developed and organised:

• educational posters illustrating stormwater pollution issues
• an information brochure about the project, best management practices and environmental legislation, and a map of the North Sydney CBD catchments and stormwater routes
• a sticker and poster for commercial premises illustrating best management practices
• brown paper lunch bags - 'You can make a difference'
• fridge magnets - 'Help protect our harbour'
• regular project updates sent to participants, including 'Urgent notice for building managers' regarding a diesel fuel leak in Careening Cove
• a fact sheet - "New environmental legislation for businesses"
• resource lists of trade waste services, recyclers and government departments
• educational signage installed at two major gross pollutant traps (Neutral Bay and Milson Park, Kirribilli).

Project outcomes

The final survey of targeted business managers and operators found that there was:

• a significant improvement in stormwater pollution knowledge and in attitudes to environmental concerns
• considerable improvement in behaviour and environmental management practices, such as prevention and remedial actions
• a marked improvement in awareness of environmental legislation.

The success of the project can be attributed to the many premises that were the subject of environmental assessment and one-on-one education, and to the quality and appeal of the educational material.

The inclusion of environmental surveys in the education program has provided the council with valuable data.

The success of the project can be attributed to the many premises that were the subject of environmental assessment and one-on-one education, and to the quality and appeal of the educational material.
The inclusion of environmental surveys in the education program has provided the council with valuable data.

Project resources and further information

For more information, call North Sydney Council on (02) 9936 8100.

Stage 2 grant details