What Is a Remediation Action Plan (RAP)?

A Remediation Action Plan (RAP) is a technical document that defines how contamination identified at a site will be managed to achieve environmental, regulatory and land-use objectives. It translates investigation findings into a structured remediation strategy, forming a key component of the broader contaminated land assessment and management process.

A RAP typically defines:

• The extent and nature of contamination present at the site

• Remediation objectives aligned with site safety and regulatory compliance

• Appropriate remediation methods (e.g. excavation, containment, in-situ treatment)

• Validation and monitoring requirements to confirm remediation success

• Contingency and management procedures for unexpected site conditions

A well-prepared RAP ensures remediation is undertaken:

• In accordance with NSW EPA guidance and the NEPM (Assessment of Site Contamination) framework

• Efficiently, cost-effectively, and with minimal environmental impact

• In a manner that supports development approval, rezoning or safe site reuse

Our RAP Services - Practical, Compliant, Risk-Based

We prepare Remediation Action Plans for residential, commercial and industrial sites, ranging from isolated contamination hotspots to large redevelopment projects. Our consultants work closely with developers, planners, councils and site auditors to align remediation with environmental risk, planning requirements and project timelines.

1. Site and Contamination Summary

Each RAP begins with a concise, technically grounded summary of the site’s environmental condition, supported by previous investigation data such as Preliminary Site Investigations (PSI) and Detailed Site Investigations (DSI).

This section typically includes:

• Site history and prior environmental investigations

• Contaminants of concern (CoCs) such as hydrocarbons, heavy metals, asbestos or PFAS, consistent with issues addressed in hazardous materials and contamination management

• Identification of receptors and potential exposure pathways within the site’s Conceptual Site Model

• Relevant zoning, environmental setting and development constraints

This provides the technical foundation for remediation planning.

2. Remediation Objectives and Regulatory Alignment

Remediation objectives are defined based on intended land use and applicable regulatory criteria. These objectives guide remediation strategy and validation.

Key considerations include:

• Proposed land use (residential, commercial, industrial or mixed use)

• Alignment with NSW EPA guidance and NEPM (ASC) health and ecological criteria

• Risk-based remediation endpoints suitable for review by a site auditor or planning authority

• Integration with Development Application (DA) requirements and project staging

This ensures remediation is aligned with both environmental risk management and planning outcomes.

3. Remediation Strategies and Technologies

Remediation strategies are selected based on contamination type, distribution, site conditions and project objectives. Approaches may include:

• Excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soil, asbestos or localised hotspots

• On-site treatment such as bioremediation, chemical oxidation, stabilisation or thermal methods

• Capping and containment using engineered barriers or clean fill systems to interrupt exposure pathways

• Groundwater remediation including in-situ treatment, pump-and-treat or monitored natural attenuation

• Source removal and infrastructure protection, such as removal of underground storage tanks or impacted materials

These strategies are evaluated for effectiveness, feasibility, constructability and long-term environmental performance within the broader remediation and validation framework.

4. Validation and Environmental Monitoring

A critical function of any RAP is defining how remediation success will be demonstrated. Validation confirms that remediation objectives have been achieved and that the site is suitable for its intended use.

Validation planning typically includes:

• Confirmatory sampling and laboratory testing against regulatory criteria

• Environmental monitoring where required (e.g. groundwater, soil vapour or surface conditions)

• QA/QC procedures, chain-of-custody documentation and accredited laboratory analysis

• Reporting suitable for submission to regulators, councils or site auditors

These processes align with established site validation requirements.

5. Site Management and Contingency Planning

Remediation often occurs under dynamic site conditions. A well-prepared RAP includes clear procedures for managing uncertainty and protecting environmental and human health during works.

This may include:

• Management of unexpected contamination during excavation

• Environmental and occupational hygiene controls during remediation works

• Waste classification, handling and disposal in accordance with regulatory frameworks described in waste classification

• Preparation of Site Management Plans (SMPs) where residual contamination remains

• Communication and reporting protocols for contractors, regulators and auditors

This ensures remediation is implemented in a controlled, auditable and regulator-ready manner.

Why Choose Confluence Environmental?

• Experienced contaminated land specialists working across diverse site conditions

• RAPs aligned with NSW EPA, NEPM and local council expectations

• Risk-based remediation strategies that avoid unnecessary excavation and cost

• Clear, technically defensible reports suitable for Development Applications and auditor review

• Ongoing support through remediation, validation and regulatory closure

Our approach focuses on practical, regulator-aligned outcomes that make complex remediation projects manageable and defensible.

Where We Work

We prepare Remediation Action Plans across:

• Greater Sydney

• Central Coast

• Newcastle and Lake Macquarie

• Hunter Valley

• Mid-North Coast and South Coast NSW