Building site erosion and stormwater runoff
Make a complaint about soil, sediments or other building site pollutants being washed into drains or waterways.
About building site erosion and stormwater runoff
As a result of Brisbane’s climate and topography, stormwater runoff can cause issues at building sites or on your property.
If stormwater cannot drain away effectively, excess water flows over land. When this happens, building sites risk having contaminants and debris washed into drains and waterways.
Contaminants and debris include:
- soil
- sand
- silt
- mud
- building waste
- concrete
- paint
- vegetation and green waste
- cleaning products.
Contaminants can pollute our waterways and wetlands, impacting our aquatic ecosystems.
Waste can also block drainage infrastructure, resulting in expensive repairs or maintenance.
Managing erosion and stormwater runoff
We all have a general duty under the Environmental Protection Act to avoid activities that cause environmental harm.
If you're planning earth-disturbing works (including home construction, renovation or a development project), you must have erosion and sediment control (ESC) measures in place.
ESC measures, along with proper stormwater management, help to:
- minimise pollutants entering our waterways
- prevent soil erosion, which can impact your property and natural areas
- prevent water accumulation that causes property damage and safety hazards
- protect adjoining properties from damage caused by redirected stormwater.
Private stormwater lines
Property owners are responsible for maintaining private stormwater lines.
Proper stormwater management includes:
- making sure all roof gutters, rainwater tanks and subsoil drains are connected to a lawful point of discharge
- installing and maintaining stormwater pipes, gutters, downpipes and other drainage systems
- clearing debris from and maintaining any easements on your property
- directing runoff towards a drainage system that's connected to a lawful point of discharge.
Stormwater must drain to an approved outlet, such as Council stormwater mains, kerb and channel.
To learn about stormwater connection regulations, contact an accredited building certifier.
We recommend connecting your stormwater drain to a suitable lawful point of discharge, such as the kerb and channel. You must do this if the:
- site is redeveloped
- integrity of the grey line is compromised and you’ve sought alternate drainage.
What Council investigates
Council investigates building site contaminants and debris discharged to the city’s waterways, catchments and bay.
We also investigate non-urgent erosion and sediment control issues such as:
- uncovered soil or cement left beside gutters, stormwater drains or waterways
- lack of adequate erosion and sediment controls, or poorly maintained controls, on a building or construction site
- sediment that has not been cleaned up
- ESC controls not being repaired after heavy rain.
You can be issued with on-the-spot fines for breaching the Planning Act 2016 or the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
Major development and environmental offences can result in prosecution and penalties over $1 million.
Report erosion issues or stormwater runoff
Erosion and sediment control issues
You can report non-urgent erosion and sediment control issues online. They include:
- uncovered soil or cement left beside roadside gutters, stormwater drains or waterways
- lack of adequate ESC measures, such as sediment fences and entry/exit rock pads or poorly maintained ESC on a building or construction site
- sediment that hasn’t been cleaned up or ESC not being repaired after a rain event on a building or construction site.
After reporting an issue, you will receive a reference number. We’ll contact you if we need further information.
Handling neighbourhood drainage issues
If a drainage problem from a neighbouring property is causing a nuisance, talk to your neighbour about the issue. You may be able to work together to resolve the problem.
If you can’t come to an agreement, try settling the dispute through mediation.
Learn about neighbourhood mediation on the Queensland Government website.
Helpful links
Frequently asked questions
Lawful points of discharge refer to the requirements for managing stormwater on a site.
The stormwater management requirements vary based on the type of development and must meet Council standards by following the infrastructure design planning scheme policy.
We recommend connecting stormwater management systems to a Council stormwater drain or road, either on your site or through a neighbouring property, with the owner's permission.
Both Council and property owners are responsible for stormwater infrastructure in Brisbane.
Council is not responsible for maintaining private stormwater lines on Council land.
Property owners must ensure they have appropriate stormwater infrastructure on their land. This includes stormwater pipes, gutters, downpipes and other drainage systems. They must also maintain the stormwater outlet leading to the point of discharge into the drainage system.
Learn more about managing stormwater runoff and drainage at your property.
Do you need additional stormwater drainage, or have you seen a stormwater drain that needs maintenance? Report it to Council.
You can't make a complaint to Council about natural stormwater runoff from your neighbour’s property, as this is a civil issue. Speak to your neighbour about the issue first. You may be able to find a solution together
Learn more about handling neighbourhood drainage issues.
No, you can’t dispose of greywater into a stormwater drain. Your property should have adequate plumbing and drainage to dispose of greywater correctly. You can also safely reuse your greywater at home.