Contaminated Land and Development: The Role of Contaminated Land Consultants and the Solutions They Provide

Understanding Contaminated Land in NSW

Contaminated land is a common issue across New South Wales, particularly in areas with a history of industrial activity, mining, fuel storage, landfilling, agriculture, or uncontrolled fill placement. For developers, planners, and property owners, land contamination can introduce regulatory complexity, cost uncertainty, and project risk if not identified and managed early.

Early identification and structured assessment are critical to avoiding unexpected delays during planning approvals, construction, or site acquisition. This is where experienced contaminated land consultants play a key role.

What Is Contaminated Land?

Contaminated land refers to land affected by substances at concentrations that may pose a risk to human health, ecological systems, or controlled waters. In NSW, common contaminants encountered include:

• Petroleum hydrocarbons (fuel and oils)
• Heavy metals (such as lead, arsenic, and chromium)
• Asbestos in soil and fill
• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
• Solvents and degreasers
• Agricultural chemicals and pesticides

In many cases, contamination results from historical land uses that occurred before modern environmental controls were in place. As a result, contamination is often not visible at the surface and requires a structured investigation process to identify and assess potential risks.

Learn more about how contamination is assessed through a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI)

The Role of a Contaminated Land Consultant

Contaminated land consultants provide independent, science-based advice throughout the development lifecycle. Their role is to support informed decision-making while ensuring compliance with relevant NSW planning and environmental requirements.

A key responsibility is identifying potential contamination risks through:

• Review of site history and land use records
• Analysis of historical aerial imagery
• Review of regulatory and environmental databases
• On-site inspections and observations

This information is used to identify contaminants of potential concern and develop an understanding of possible exposure pathways relevant to current or proposed land use.

Consultants also undertake risk-based assessments, ensuring investigations are proportionate to the site’s history, proposed development, and regulatory context. This approach avoids unnecessary works while ensuring that material risks are appropriately addressed.

Supporting Planning and Approvals

Contaminated land assessments are frequently required by local councils and regulators as part of:

• Development Applications (DAs)
• Rezoning proposals
• Subdivision approvals
• Changes in land use

Contaminated land consultants prepare technical reports that respond directly to planning conditions and regulatory expectations, supporting efficient approvals and reducing the likelihood of further information requests.

Key Stages of Contaminated Land Assessment

Contaminated land investigations in NSW are typically undertaken in staged phases, allowing risks to be progressively assessed and managed.

Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI)

A PSI involves a detailed review of site history, a site inspection, and development of a Conceptual Site Model (CSM). The objective is to determine whether contamination is likely and whether further investigation is required.

Learn more about Preliminary Site Investigations

Detailed Site Investigation (DSI)

Where potential risks are identified, a Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) is undertaken. This involves intrusive sampling of soil, groundwater, or soil vapour, supported by laboratory analysis, to characterise contamination and assess risk relative to the proposed land use.

Learn more about Detailed Site Investigations

Remediation Action Plan (RAP)

If remediation is required, a Remediation Action Plan (RAP) is prepared. This document outlines remediation objectives, proposed methods, validation criteria, and regulatory considerations.

Learn more about Remediation Action Plans

Validation and Site Verification

Following remediation, validation and verification activities are undertaken to confirm that remediation objectives have been achieved and that the site is suitable for its intended use.

Learn more about Site Validation and Verification

Practical Solutions for Managing Contaminated Land

Contaminated land management solutions are tailored to site-specific conditions, contaminants present, and development objectives. Common approaches include:

• Excavation and off-site disposal of impacted materials
• On-site containment or capping
• Soil treatment or stabilisation
• Implementation of management plans to control exposure pathways

In some cases, ongoing monitoring or land-use controls may be appropriate where complete removal of contamination is not practicable.

The focus of contaminated land consulting is not simply remediation, but achieving an outcome that is protective of health and the environment while remaining technically and economically feasible.

The Importance of Early Engagement

Early engagement of contaminated land consultants allows risks to be identified before they escalate into costly delays, redesigns, or compliance issues. Early assessment supports:

• Realistic project budgeting
• Informed site acquisition decisions
• Smoother planning and approval pathways

Rather than being a barrier to development, contaminated land assessment provides clarity and certainty, enabling sites to be redeveloped safely, compliantly, and with confidence.