Logan city is a popular development and investment location. Development in Logan is critical for the economic wellbeing and growth of our city. It is important that developers, builders and contractors manage sites safely and effectively.

The Construction Taskforce Team

For the amenity of the Logan community, we have established a Construction Taskforce.

The Taskforce will partner with the development and construction industry and the community to:

• help the construction industry understand construction management and nuisance reduction responsibilities
• respond quickly to community concerns and complaints about construction sites
• create a culture of good site management and nuisance reduction.

Construction Taskforce Team video transcript

To help us achieve positive outcomes, our team will be present through the development process. They will act as a single point of contact for construction nuisance matters. They will also provide resources to help with site management and can put you in touch with the right Council area to help.

The types of issues we will respond to include:

• out of hours construction
• unreasonable construction noise and vibration
• air quality and dust management
• sediment control and stormwater management
• non compliance with development approvals
• traffic and footpath issues.

How we will manage your concerns

The Construction Taskforce officers will:

• contact you within the first 24 business hours after we receive your enquiry
• investigate the matter and work with developers and builders to minimise or resolve the problem
• take steps to address the issue and depending on the nature of the issue, we may:
  • offer an opportunity to fix the issue or voluntarily minimise the impact
  • give a formal direction requiring the matter to be addressed
  • issue an on the spot fine of over $10,000
  • start legal proceedings.

Before making a compliance decision we look at:

• available evidence on hand
• the circumstances of each individual matter
• relevant policies and legislations
• any precedent issues
• cost to the public of any compliance actions.

Common issues we deal with

Working hours

Construction activities must only take place from 6:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Saturday. No work should take place on Sundays or public holidays, unless otherwise agreed to by Council.

This also applies to owner builders and any person other than the residential occupier of a premises carrying out building work related activities, like:

• building, repairing, altering, moving or demolishing a building
• installing or removing scaffolding for a building
• providing services for a building e.g. drainage, heating, lighting, sewerage, or water supply
• earthworks relating to building work e.g. excavating, filling or retaining work.

Construction noise

Activities like rock breaking, compaction, jack hammering or earthmoving can create a lot of noise and vibration, which is a natural part of development. We require construction companies to consider the timing and potential impact these activities can have on the surrounding community before starting works.

Construction staff also need to be sensitive to the surrounding area. Limiting loud vehicle noises or music before and after work can help reduce complaints from neighbours.

Air quality and dust management

We require construction companies to be mindful of the air quality around a construction site and use dust minimisation techniques, like:

• limiting the exposure of loose materials on site to reduce wind erosion
• use of water suppression techniques to wet down the dust
• limit earth disturbing activities on windy days.

Erosion and sediment control, and stormwater pollution

The Environmental Protection Act 1994 states that a person must not deposit prescribed water contaminants e.g. dirt, sediment, fuel, concrete and other construction materials, in the stormwater system, e.g. road gutters and waterways. This means construction sites need to make sure that contaminants do not run from a development site into nearby drains, gutters or waterways.

All development sites must have well-maintained erosion and sediment control measures and appropriate stormwater controls in place.

Due to the changing nature of a development site, sediment control is a serious issue that needs constant attention.

We use the International Erosion Control Association’s (IECA)’s best industry practice as a guideline for erosion and sediment control measures.

For more information about erosion and sediment control, please visit IECA.   

Temporarily closing roads and footpaths

If a road or footpath needs to be closed disruption to road users and pedestrians needs to be managed. Construction vehicles, materials or waste cannot be stored on the footpath. To help minimise hazards, a road closure permit is needed from Council.

For more information or to apply for a road closure permit, please see Road permits.

Clean and tidy development site

As a matter of good practice, unsightly or unpleasant aspects of a site should be addressed quickly. Developers are encouraged to remove graffiti or rubbish that accumulates and make sure toilet facilities are appropriately managed. Any building waste should be stored or disposed of appropriately, so it does not create a visual eyesore.

Issues dealt with by other organisations

Fence, tree and building disputes at property boundaries

The Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011 is the law that deals with disputes about dividing fences and neighbours trees. It is a Queensland state law, and disputes are decided by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT)

For more information about dividing fences, trees and building disputes, please visit Queensland Government.

Heavy vehicles

The Department of Transport and Main Roads regulates the use of heavy vehicles.

For more information about heavy vehicle management, please visit Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Workplace health and safety

The Queensland Government Workplace Health and Safety Department regulates workplace health and safety matters. This includes installation, disassembling and operations of a crane and safe work site set up.

To report safety concerns on a construction site or for more information, please visit Worksafe Queensland.

Fire ants

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries manages invasive animals like fire ants. Under the Biosecurity Act 2014 biosecurity zones are in place to help manage the movement of materials, like soil, that spread fire ants.

To report concerns about fire ant movement due to earthwork, or for more information about fire ants on a development site, please visit the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Report an issue

If you have any concerns about a nearby construction site we encourage you to contact the construction company or the developer to discuss the matter. If the matter is not resolved you can contact us.

To help us investigate, please give us the following information:

• where is the construction site
• what is the issue
• where is the nuisance is coming from on the construction site
• is it occurring now or how long it has been occurring
• how it is affecting you or the community.

We will prioritise and action issues reported according to the urgency and severity of the matter.

You can report an issue:

• online
• phone on 07 3412 3412
• email us at council@logan.qld.gov.au.