The Council adopted its Stormwater Drainage and Watercourse Protection Bylaw 2024 on 1 October 2024 under the provisions of Section 145 of the Local Government Act 2002.
This page provides guidance documents and other links to the Stormwater Drainage and Watercourse Protection Bylaw requirements and best practice material.
It is intended to be used by any party seeking approvals to undertake their activities in accordance with the Bylaw.
Please contact the Council’s Stormwater and Drainage team on 0800 965 468 if you require any further information in order to apply for approval for activities to be undertaken under the Bylaw.
Required Information for Approvals under the Stormwater Drainage and Watercourse Protection Bylaw
This section includes “Pollution Prevention Plan Requirements”, “Spill Prevention and Spill Response Plan and Procedures” and “Stormwater Discharges from Contaminated Land Risk Asssessment”. These are all referenced as specific requirements under S9, S10 and S11 of the Bylaw for medium risk sites, high risk sites and for discharges from contaminated land.
The Pollution Prevention Plan shall include:
- A site assessment identifying all actual and potential sources of contaminant discharge, including surface coatings; type of contaminants and quantities or concentrations of stored chemicals;
- Suitably-scaled plans showing the site layout, boundaries, all stormwater, land drainage and wastewater drainage including the point of connection or discharge to the Council stormwater, land drainage or wastewater systems, relevant buildings and outdoor spaces (open or roofed) including identification of their use, and locations of any installed or planned treatment devices or systems;
- Identification of any structural and procedural controls in accordance with best management practice(s) proposed to ensure that potential contamination of all discharges is minimised;
- Site-specific spill prevention and spill response plan (high-risk sites) and procedures (if applicable for medium-risk sites).
Explanatory note: The application of current, nationally accepted standards such as the Auckland Council Guidelines GD01, the Christchurch Waterways and Wetlands Drainage Guide or Environment Canterbury’s Erosion and Sediment Control Toolbox for Canterbury will be taken into account by the Council when assessing pollution prevention plans.
Spill Response Procedure
- Be safe
Identify spilled substance and any dangers.
Emergency services required? Dial 111.
Put on appropriate PPE and proceed if safe to do so.
- Stop the Source
Turn off taps, pumps and valves.
Stand container upright or roll it over.
Plug leak or place a drip tray under it until fixed; empty trays before they overflow.
- Protect Stormwater
Confine a liquid spill with sandbags or booms.
cover a dry spill to protect it from wind and rain if required.
Block off access to stormwater drains with drain covers.
- Notify
Tell your supervisor.
Dial ECan Pollution Hotline (0800 765 588) if the spill reaches land, drains or waterways.
- Clean Up
Neutralise hazardous substances.
Transfer liquid to a safe container or absorb it with a compatible material.
Sweep up dry spill and spent absorbents promptly.
Clean up confined area and do not track spill to other areas.
- Dispose Responsibly
Never hose a spill away; always prevent washwater and sweepings from entering stormwater drains.
Call a waste disposal contractor to take away contaminated materials.
- Restock and Review
Replace materials and PPE at spill station.
Learn how and why the spill happened and what corrective actions are needed.