Earthworks

Updated 9 March 2021 10:28am

Here you will find information relating to:

Rules relating to earthworks back to top

Earthworks for housing developments, clean filling, building roads, and undertaking forestry and farming activities can cause erosion and the release of sediment into waterways and the coast. Though sediment occurs through natural weathering and erosion, these activities can make it worse, causing a decline in both the quality and clarity of water in waterways and on the coast, and the habitats of plant and animal communities that depend on these environments. In particular, low-energy receiving environments such as the Porirua Harbour are adversely affected over time by the many activities that release sediment.

Under the Resource Management Act 1991, regional councils are responsible for controlling the use of land for the purpose of soil conservation, and where land use has impacts on water quality and water quantity. District and city councils are responsible for controlling the effects of the use and development of land, such as developing a section to build a house.

To avoid unnecessary duplication with city and district councils. GWRC only controls large scale soil disturbance (including roading and tracking) on steep land and areas of bulk earthworks greater than 0.3 hectares. These activities are controlled in Rule 1 and Rule 2 of the Regional Soil Plan and Rule 3 of the Regional Freshwater Plan. Any other activities involving earthworks are controlled by district rules in district plans.

Guidelines and best practice back to top

GWRC has produced documents to assist you in managing erosion and sediment during earthworks and soil disturbing activities.

The Erosion and Sediment Control Guideline for Land Disturbing Activities in the Wellington Region outlines best practice for managing erosion and sediment discharges on large earthworks sites. This updated guideline replaces the 2002 Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines for the Wellington Region.

GWRC's Small Earthworks - Erosion and Sediment Controls for Small Sites is a pocket guide to managing sediment on site for small-scale projects, such as building a retaining wall.

When preparing a plan for managing erosion and sediment on your site, you can use of Guidelines for Preparing and Erosion and Sediment Control Plan.

Before work starts on your site use this Pre-Construction Meeting Checklist to help ensure everyone understands their responsibilities.

The Sediment Retention Pond As-Built Checklist should be used to provide details of your sediment retention pond once built.