Home builders and residential developers are being reminded of new requirements to reduce sediment run-off from earthworks.

The new rules follow numerous instances around Otago of sediment being flushed off earthwork platforms into creeks, streams and lakes following heavy rainfall, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) said in a statement.

New provisions in the ORC’s Regional Plan mean consents will be required in some situations, including for sediment from earthworks associated with urban residential developments, ORC consent team leader Jenny Ross said.

The new rules provide an important opportunity to more actively manage any sediment discharges which could go to water, she said.

“The [new] urban provisions enable ORC to have better oversight on the management of earthworks, and any sediment discharge that may impact water quality.”

The main changes for property developers cover sediment from earthworks for residential development, which are permitted activities with no resource consent required.

For residential earthworks to be a permitted activity, developers must not expose more than 2,500 square metres of earthworks in any consecutive 12-month period per landholding and the earthworks must not be within 10 metres of a water body, drain, or water race.

The exposed earth must be stabilised on completion of the earthworks; Soil or debris must not be placed where it can enter a water body, drain, or race; and there must be no conspicuous change in colour, odour or significant effect on aquatic life.

 Jenny said if developers cannot meet these requirements they will need to get a resource consent.

She also noted the National Environmental Standards – Freshwater, introduced in 2020, include a requirement to get consent for culverts, both temporary and permanent.

Find more information on assessing resource consent requirements here.

If anyone sees pollution around Otago, they can contact the 24/7 ORC Pollution Hotline on 0800 800 033, or email [email protected].