Published Friday, 23 November, 2007 at 09:45 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Queensland builders support better site management
Queensland builders are learning to reduce their impact on the environment through Clean Site, an initiative providing practical advice on how to reduce erosion, stormwater pollution, litter and waste and save money, during building and construction.
The benefits of Clean Site, a joint program between Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland and the Environmental Protection Agency, were on show at a demonstration site in Hervey Bay this morning.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said poorly managed building and construction sites are some of the biggest contributors to Australian waterway pollution and landfill.
“Most of the soil disturbed during construction ends up in our waterways as sediment, which smothers aquatic plants and animals and silts up creeks, rivers, reservoirs and dams,” Mr McNamara said.
“Along with this, an average 2.6 tonnes of waste material is generated during the construction of a home, contributing nearly 50 percent of waste to landfill in Australia, much of this waste can be recycled.
“I congratulate Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland and the EPA on the Clean Site program, which is showcasing environmental best practice in action.
“The EPA, as a principal partner of the Clean Site program, is committed to reducing the construction industry’s impact on the environment and working with industry towards a more sustainable future.”
The Clean Site program highlights the benefits of effective onsite sediment control and waste management.
“Putting Clean Site principles into practice will improve onsite health and safety, result in better looking, more saleable sites, reduce clean-up costs and help keep our waterways clean and healthy,” said Carole Miller, CEO, Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland.
“If you are building a new home or doing renovations, it is important to make sure you or your contractor ensures that sediment, concrete, paint, sand and rubbish do not end up going down the stormwater drain.
“The Clean Site program provides easy ways to reduce the negative impacts on the environment caused through building and construction,” Ms Miller said.
For details about the next Clean Site Demonstration Day, visit www.kabq.org.au/qld
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
The benefits of Clean Site, a joint program between Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland and the Environmental Protection Agency, were on show at a demonstration site in Hervey Bay this morning.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said poorly managed building and construction sites are some of the biggest contributors to Australian waterway pollution and landfill.
“Most of the soil disturbed during construction ends up in our waterways as sediment, which smothers aquatic plants and animals and silts up creeks, rivers, reservoirs and dams,” Mr McNamara said.
“Along with this, an average 2.6 tonnes of waste material is generated during the construction of a home, contributing nearly 50 percent of waste to landfill in Australia, much of this waste can be recycled.
“I congratulate Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland and the EPA on the Clean Site program, which is showcasing environmental best practice in action.
“The EPA, as a principal partner of the Clean Site program, is committed to reducing the construction industry’s impact on the environment and working with industry towards a more sustainable future.”
The Clean Site program highlights the benefits of effective onsite sediment control and waste management.
“Putting Clean Site principles into practice will improve onsite health and safety, result in better looking, more saleable sites, reduce clean-up costs and help keep our waterways clean and healthy,” said Carole Miller, CEO, Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland.
“If you are building a new home or doing renovations, it is important to make sure you or your contractor ensures that sediment, concrete, paint, sand and rubbish do not end up going down the stormwater drain.
“The Clean Site program provides easy ways to reduce the negative impacts on the environment caused through building and construction,” Ms Miller said.
For details about the next Clean Site Demonstration Day, visit www.kabq.org.au/qld
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004