Environmental Management Plans

Confluence Environmental provides Environmental Management Plans for complete confidence in the management of long-term environment and health risk

Expert Environmental Management Plans

Need an Environmental Management Plan for a contaminated site?
Confluence Environmental prepares clear, regulator-ready EMPs for contaminated land projects across the Central Coast, Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, Sydney, and the Blue Mountains.

We develop site-specific plans to manage contamination risks during construction, remediation, and development — ensuring compliance with EPA and council requirements under SEPP 2021. Practical solutions. Fast turnaround. Expert advice included.

What Is a Contaminated Land Environmental Management Plan (EMP)?

A Contaminated Land Environmental Management Plan (EMP or CLMP) outlines how contamination risks at a site will be safely managed during planning, development, remediation, or ongoing use. These plans are often required to:

  • Support Development Applications (DAs) and Construction Certificates (CCs)

  • Satisfy conditions of planning consent or remediation approvals

  • Comply with the NSW Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 or SEPP 2021

  • Address EPA, council, or consultant recommendations

  • Demonstrate alignment with the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure (NEPM)

A well-prepared CLMP shows regulators and stakeholders how your site risks will be controlled — ensuring compliance, minimising liability, and protecting human health and the environment.

Our Contaminated Land EMP Services

At Confluence Environmental, we prepare practical, regulator-ready management plans for a wide range of sites and activities. Our contaminated land EMPs cover:

  • Site characterisation and contamination summary

  • Human health and environmental risk pathways

  • Controls for managing impacted soil, groundwater, and vapours

  • Excavation, stockpiling, and off-site disposal procedures

  • Site access restrictions, signage, and PPE requirements

  • Validation sampling and contingency plans

  • Roles, responsibilities, and contractor requirements

  • Monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping obligations

Plans are tailored to your site conditions, proposed works, and consent requirements — whether for short-term development or long-term ongoing management.

When Is a Contaminated Land EMP Required?

Contaminated land EMPs are commonly required for:

  • Subdivisions or change-of-use on previously industrial or agricultural land

  • Sites with known or suspected contamination

  • Projects involving disturbance of contaminated soil or groundwater

  • EPA-regulated premises or notices under the CLM Act

  • Council-imposed conditions of consent or remediation

If you're unsure whether a plan is needed, we’ll guide you through the regulatory framework and liaise with your council, certifier, or consultant.

Who We Work With

Our clients include:

  • Developers and subdivision planners

  • Builders, civil contractors, and consultants

  • Environmental auditors and remediation specialists

  • Local councils and planning authorities

  • Commercial landowners and asset managers

We’re often engaged early to streamline approvals, or later to resolve compliance gaps during construction or remediation.

Why Choose Confluence Environmental?

  • Contaminated Land Specialists – Deep experience with NEPM, SEPP, and EPA frameworks

  • Plans That Get Approved – Clear, compliant, and tailored to real-world implementation

  • Responsive and Reliable – Fast turnaround, direct communication, and consistent support

  • End-to-End Help – From desktop reviews and site assessments to validation and final reporting

We don’t just tick boxes — we give you the confidence to move forward.

Where We Operate

We support contaminated land projects across:

  • Greater Sydney and the Blue Mountains

  • Central Coast, Newcastle, and the Hunter Valley

  • Mid North Coast and regional NSW (on request)

Need expert advice?

Need an Environmental Management Plan prepared quickly and to a high standard? We offer fixed-fee quotes, flexible delivery, and expert insight at every stage.

Call 0493 042 642, email enquiries@confluence-enviro.com.au or Contact Us to discuss your needs.

A Sydney NSW park, a site operated under a Confluence Environmental Environmental Management Plan

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Environmental Management Plans (EMPs)

Q: What is an Environmental Management Plan (EMP)?

An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is a site-specific document that outlines how environmental risks will be managed during a project. It includes procedures for erosion and sediment control, waste management, dust suppression, noise and vibration, water quality, heritage protection, and other relevant risks. EMPs ensure that your project meets regulatory requirements and best practice standards, and are often required by councils, planning authorities, and infrastructure clients.

Q: When is an EMP required?

You may be required to prepare an EMP if your project involves:

  • Bulk earthworks, excavation, or demolition

  • Proximity to waterways, bushland, or sensitive ecosystems

  • Large-scale civil or infrastructure works

  • A development application (DA) condition from council or the Department of Planning

  • An EPA licence or construction approval

  • Work near heritage sites or conservation areas

Even if not formally required, an EMP is a valuable tool for managing environmental risk, community concerns, and contractor performance.

Q: What’s included in an Environmental Management Plan?

A typical EMP includes:

  • A description of the project and site conditions

  • Identification of environmental risks and potential impacts

  • Legal and regulatory obligations

  • Specific mitigation measures for each risk area (e.g. noise, air, soil, waste, water)

  • Environmental monitoring and reporting procedures

  • Roles and responsibilities of site personnel

  • Emergency response and incident management procedures

  • Site maps, plans, and supporting documentation

We tailor each EMP to suit your project scope, approval conditions, and stakeholder requirements.

Q: Who prepares an EMP?

EMPs should be prepared by an experienced environmental consultant who understands local regulations, construction processes, and risk management frameworks. At Confluence Environmental, we work closely with builders, developers, project managers, and councils to prepare EMPs that are both practical and fully compliant with NSW expectations.

Q: Will council accept your EMP?

Yes. Our EMPs are prepared in line with council DA conditions, the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, and applicable codes of practice or project-specific guidelines. We regularly prepare EMPs accepted by local councils, the Department of Planning, the EPA, and major infrastructure clients across NSW.

Q: What’s the difference between an EMP and a CEMP or OEMP?

The terms are often used interchangeably but reflect different stages or focuses:

  • EMP (Environmental Management Plan) – A broad term for managing environmental risk

  • CEMP (Construction Environmental Management Plan) – A version specific to the construction phase

  • OEMP (Operational Environmental Management Plan) – Focuses on long-term environmental controls during site operation or post-construction

  • SMP, WMP, HMP – Topic-specific plans like Soil, Waste, or Heritage Management Plans

We can prepare any format or variation required for your approval, construction, or licensing needs.