Contaminated Land Assessments for DA Approvals, Rezoning, and Redevelopment

The Central Tablelands region has a long and varied land use history — from historical mining and agriculture to commercial, fuel storage, and light industrial activities. These legacy uses can leave behind contaminants that pose risks to human health, environmental receptors, and future land development.

At Confluence Environmental, we specialise in delivering council-ready Environmental Site Assessments (Stage 1 and Stage 2) to support Development Applications (DAs), Complying Development Certificates (CDCs), and rezoning proposals across the Central Tablelands.

Our reports are accepted by local councils and prepared in full alignment with the:

• NSW Contaminated Land Management Act 1997

• SEPP (Resilience and Hazards) 2021

• National Environment Protection Measure (Assessment of Site Contamination) 2013

• Local planning policies and land use zoning instruments (LEPs and DCPs)

Areas We Service – Central Tablelands

We provide site assessment and remediation support across:

• Bathurst

• Lithgow

• Orange

• Blayney

• Oberon

• Cowra

• Mudgee and Mid-Western LGA

• Molong and Cabonne Shire

• Wellington and surrounds

From rural land conversions to urban infill development, we tailor solutions to suit both residential and commercial land use pathways.

Stage 1 – Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI)

A Stage 1 ESA is the first step in determining whether a site is likely to be contaminated, based on past and current land uses. Councils in the Central Tablelands often require a PSI as part of:

• DA submissions for redevelopment or subdivision

• Rezoning applications (e.g., RU1 to R5 or IN2)

• Council land sales or acquisitions

• CDC applications where land history is uncertain

• Planning Certificate (10.7) notations on potentially contaminated land

Our Stage 1 PSI includes:

• Desktop review of historical aerial photography, topographic maps, and geological mapping

• Search of NSW EPA Contaminated Sites Register and POEO public records

• Review of past zoning and land tenure information

• Interviews with site owners (where appropriate)

• Site inspection to identify visible signs of contamination or disturbance

• Identification of Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs)

• Recommendation on whether a Stage 2 DSI is required

Aligned with Central Tablelands Council DA checklists and land zoning rules
Delivered as a standalone PDF or CEnvP-certified version upon request

Stage 2 – Detailed Site Investigation (DSI)

When a PSI flags a credible risk of contamination, a Stage 2 ESA (DSI) must be undertaken to physically investigate and characterise the site’s condition.

Our DSIs involve:

• Soil sampling via hand auger, direct-push rig, or excavator test pits

• Groundwater well installation and sampling (if aquifer contamination is suspected)

• Soil vapour and gas monitoring, particularly in areas with hydrocarbon storage history

• Laboratory analysis through NATA-accredited facilities

• Comparison to NEPM Health Investigation Levels (HILs), Ecological Investigation Levels (EILs), and HSLs

• Development of a Conceptual Site Model (CSM) and exposure pathways analysis

• Determination of site suitability or remediation requirements

We routinely assess for:

• Asbestos in soil (buried waste, illegal fill, historical building debris)

• Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, copper, zinc)

• Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) and BTEX

• Herbicides, pesticides, and organochlorines (legacy farming use)

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and PFAS (if suspected)

DSI reports are typically completed within 7–12 business days
Sampling programs follow the NSW Sampling Design Guidelines (EPA) and NEPM protocols
Suitable for planning panels, council approval, and environmental due diligence

Remediation Action Plans (RAPs) and Site Management

If contamination is identified and land is still proposed for sensitive use (e.g., residential, child care, open space), a Remediation Action Plan is typically required.

Our RAPs provide:

• Clear remediation objectives based on land use zoning (e.g., R1, RE1, B2)

• Excavation, containment, capping, or in-situ treatment strategies

• Waste classification under the NSW Waste Classification Guidelines (VENM, ENM, hazardous)

• WHS controls (air monitoring, dust suppression, PPE requirements)

• Validation strategy and clean-up verification steps

• Stakeholder communication framework (e.g., council, EPA, landowners)

We can also manage remediation contractors and provide remediation supervision or site auditing where required.

Validation Reporting

After remediation, a Validation Report is required to demonstrate that the land is safe and suitable for its proposed use.

This report:

• Summarises the remediation process and any deviations from the RAP

• Presents analytical results post-remediation

• Demonstrates that target criteria have been achieved

• Confirms suitability for future use and ongoing risk (if any)

• Includes photographic evidence, certificates of disposal, and soil tracking records

Required for final subdivision, occupation certificate, or DA condition sign-off
Prepared by qualified consultants with full chain-of-custody documentation
Can be certified by a CEnvP if needed for higher-risk sites

Due Diligence & Pre-Purchase Site Assessments

Buying, selling, or redeveloping land across the Central Tablelands?
A due diligence ESA helps identify legacy contamination risks before you're locked into costly remediation obligations.

We conduct:

• Rapid screening assessments

• Contaminant pathway analysis

• Asbestos in soil and fill testing

• Legacy land use audits (e.g. market gardens, sheep dip sites, fuel depots)

• Advice on site acquisition strategy or environmental offsetting

Perfect for developers, councils, infrastructure bodies, and investors managing long-term assets.

Who We Work With

We support:

• Local and regional architects and urban planners

• Private developers and infrastructure contractors

• Town planning consultants and DA coordinators

• Real estate and land development advisors

• Local councils, crown land managers, and public landholders

Whether you’re transforming rural land near Orange or preparing a rezoning in Lithgow, we help you move forward with clarity and confidence.