Environmental Management Plans
What Is an Environmental Management Plan?
An Environmental Management Plan (EMP) outlines how your project will manage and mitigate its environmental risks. EMPs are often a mandatory requirement of:
Development Applications (DA)
Construction Certificates (CC)
Environmental Protection Licences (EPL)
Remediation approvals or planning consents
NSW SEPP, council, or EPA conditions
They show regulators and stakeholders how you’ll prevent environmental harm and ensure your project complies with NSW environmental legislation, including the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act).
Our Environmental Management Plan Services
We prepare all types of EMPs for the planning, construction, operation, and remediation stages of your project. Our services include:
Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP)
Required by councils and authorities before major earthworks or civil construction, our CEMPs include:
Site risk assessment and environmental context
Soil and water management plans (SWMPs & ESCPs)
Noise, dust, and vibration mitigation
Hazardous materials and waste controls
Incident and emergency response plans
Roles, responsibilities, and site inductions
Monitoring, inspections, and reporting protocols
Designed for real-world implementation and council approval.
Operational EMPs (OEMP)
For ongoing operations (industrial sites, treatment plants, transfer stations), we prepare OEMP documents covering:
Air, water, and soil protection controls
Resource recovery and waste management
Long-term monitoring programs
Maintenance and corrective actions
EPL, licence, and condition tracking
Ideal for EPA-licensed premises or post-construction compliance.
Specialist Site-Specific Environmental Plans
We also deliver tailored environmental plans to address specific regulatory triggers or environmental risks, including:
Acid Sulfate Soil Management Plans (ASSMP)
Remediation Environmental Management Plans (REMP)
Soil & Water Management Plans (SWMP)
Bushfire Management Plans (BMP)
Flora and Fauna Management Plans (FFMP)
Biodiversity Offset Management Plans
Contaminated Land EMPs
All plans are aligned with NSW guidelines, including SEPPs, EPA Frameworks, and council-specific requirements.
Who We Support
Our EMPs are trusted by:
Property developers and subdivision managers
Town planners and certifiers
Builders and civil contractors
Government and infrastructure agencies
Industrial operators and landowners
Environmental lawyers, investors, and asset managers
Whether you're early in design or mid-project, we help you meet obligations and reduce project risk.
Why Choose Confluence Environmental?
NSW-Specific Expertise – We understand local planning, EPA, and DA conditions inside out
Fast, Reliable Turnaround – Clear timelines and rapid response when you need it most
Tailored, Practical Plans – Written by consultants who know what happens on-site
End-to-End Support – From approvals to compliance tracking
Trusted by Developers, Planners & Government Clients
We don’t just write reports we deliver tools that help your project move forward with certainty.
Where We Work
We provide environmental planning support across:
Greater Sydney
Central Coast
Newcastle & Lake Macquarie
Hunter Valley & Upper Hunter
Illawarra, Mid North Coast, and Regional NSW (on request)
Ready to move your project forward with confidence?
At Confluence Environmental, we provide practical, science-led solutions across contaminated land, asbestos and hazardous materials, waste classification, acid sulfate soils, and occupational hygiene.
Complete the form below to request a tailored quote, book a consultation, or ask us a question about your project. We’ll respond within 24 hours with clear advice and next steps helping you stay compliant, reduce risk, and keep your development on track.
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.