Builders, developers and contractors around Castlemaine can expect a visit from EPA Victoria and Mount Alexander Shire Council officers soon, in a campaign to prevent stormwater pollution.

The inspections in the week starting 26 August have been initiated by EPA Officers for the Protection of the Local Environment (OPLEs) who are based with local councils and aim to ensure everyone on the site meets their environmental obligations.

The joint operation is similar to those run in other regional areas including Gisborne, Mildura, Bass Coast, Shepparton, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Wodonga, Geelong and Bendigo.

EPA officers will be looking at typical construction site pollution sources including dust, mud and sediment, which are too often allowed to escape site boundaries and into stormwater drains.

Council officers will focus on ensuring requirements are being met for building sites under the Shire’s Community Local Law 2023, including secure site fencing, suitable refuse and sanitary facilities, and asset protection measures.

"We will also be looking for sources of pollution like cementing, paint, and plastering residues generated from building equipment clean-up that can cause runoff into stormwater drains,” said EPA Northwest Regional Manager Paul Ratajczyk.

"Most businesses want to do the right thing, and we are happy to provide compliance advice to assist, but our priority is the environment, and we can step in with official notices or fines if business or contractors don’t do the right thing and manage their waste to prevent harm to the environment,” he said.

“Council is committed to ensuring our environment is protected and that builders operating in Mount Alexander Shire are abiding by our local laws. We’ll continue to collaborate with other authorities - such as the EPA - to enforce compliance and improve understanding,” said Mount Alexander Shire Council Director of Infrastructure and Development Michael Annear.

Victoria’s General Environmental Duty (GED) makes it everyone’s legal responsibility to take reasonable actions to prevent pollution from their activities.