Willoughby City Council has issued a penalty notice to the occupier of a development site at 100 Edinburgh Road in Castlecrag for failing to put required pollution controls in place.
The contractor carrying out works on behalf of the developer had been issued with a prevention notice back in April 2026 after sediment-laden runoff had entered the stormwater system and flowed towards Sailors Bay Creek.
The notice required the occupier to install additional sediment controls, stop unauthorised dewatering and submit a Construction Site Dewatering Plan prepared by an independent environmental consultant.
Subsequent inspections found the contractor had failed to comply with directions aimed at preventing further pollution. The non-compliance included not installing additional sediment controls, not obtaining Council approval for dewatering activities and failing to provide the required Construction Site Dewatering Plan.
These are standard measures used to reduce the risk of sediment leaving construction sites and entering local waterways.
A state significant development proposal for 150 apartments over two buildings of up to 11 storeys is currently under assessment by the NSW Government. Developer Conquest has been asked for a response to the 1,200 submissions made during exhibition.
Willoughby City Mayor Tanya Taylor said sediment runoff from construction sites could harm local waterways.
“Sailors Bay Creek is part of a sensitive local environment, and sediment in the stormwater system can affect water quality and aquatic life,” Mayor Taylor said.
“Council issued clear directions to reduce the risk of further pollution and took further enforcement action when those requirements were not met. Protecting our waterways is a responsibility shared by everyone involved in construction projects.”
Council’s environmental compliance officers regularly inspect construction sites across the Willoughby area and investigate reports of pollution.
Council said it will continue to monitor the site and will consider further compliance action if necessary.