Earthworks season starts today and Bay of Plenty Regional Council is reminding people planning any earthworks that they should check the rules as they may need to apply for resource consent first.
In a statement to media Bay of Plenty Regional Council Pollution Prevention Officer Mike Caldwell said that seasonal restrictions, along with a range of other plan rules and consent conditions, were in place to reduce the chance of erosion and sediment entering local waterways and estuaries.
"The consented earthworks season takes place between September 15 to May 1 as this is when ground and weather conditions are most favourable. Without careful earthworks management, mobilised sediment can make waterways murky, smother wildlife, silt up harbour channels and encourage algae or mangrove growth."
"It's important for anyone undertaking consented or permitted earthworks to check that they have all the right structures, diversions and sediment retention devices in place to effectively deal with the works ahead," he said.
Anyone that's unsure of the earthworks rules or their consent requirements could access free advice by calling council's pollution prevention team on 0800 884 880.