Trusted Environmental Consultants - Newcastle
Confluence Environmental are trusted environmental consultants in Newcastle, delivering contaminated land assessments, Preliminary Site Investigations (PSI), Detailed Site Investigations (DSI), Remediation Action Plans (RAP), Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP), waste classification and ENM/VENM approvals, and site validation reports.
Our assessments are led by experienced practitioners, including a Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP), and are aligned with the ASC NEPM (Assessment of Site Contamination), NSW EPA Contaminated Land Guidelines, and SEPP (Resilience & Hazards) 2021 – Chapter 4.
We provide practical, DA-ready reports that councils, consent authorities, and contractors recognise — helping you meet obligations, reduce risk, and progress your project with confidence.
Contaminated Land Assessments Newcastle
A contaminated land assessment is often required as part of a Development Application (DA), rezoning, subdivision, or property transaction. Councils across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, and the wider Hunter region require contaminated land investigations consistent with NSW planning legislation.
Our services include:
Preliminary Site Investigations (PSI) – desktop review, site walkover, Conceptual Site Model (CSM).
Detailed Site Investigations (DSI) – soil, groundwater, and vapour sampling, NATA lab analysis.
Remediation Action Plans (RAP) – strategies to manage or remove contamination.
Site Validation Reports – confirmatory testing and close-out reporting.
Waste Classification, ENM & VENM
Confluence Environmental provide waste classification services in line with the NSW EPA Waste Classification Guidelines. This includes:
Waste classification reports for soil disposal or reuse.
ENM (Excavated Natural Material) and VENM (Virgin Excavated Natural Material) assessments and approvals.
Facility-ready documentation for disposal or beneficial reuse.
These assessments are often required before construction, bulk earthworks, or subdivision to confirm soil management pathways.
Acid Sulfate Soil Assessments Newcastle
In coastal and low-lying areas of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and Port Stephens, councils may require an acid sulfate soil assessment to accompany a DA or dewatering application.
Our services include:
Acid sulfate soil risk screening (based on mapping and geology).
Chromium suite laboratory testing (pH, TAA, ANC, SCR, net acidity).
Acid Sulfate Soil Management Plans for excavation or dewatering projects.
Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP)
For redevelopment, subdivision, and infrastructure projects in Newcastle, a CEMP may be required under DA conditions, by principal contractors, or by state agencies such as Transport for NSW.
We prepare Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP) that address erosion and sediment control, dust, noise, waste, traffic, unexpected finds, heritage, biodiversity, and community impacts. Plans are aligned with the DPE Environmental Management Plan Guideline (2020) and ISO 14001 systems.
Asbestos & Hazardous Materials
In addition to contaminated land and waste assessments, we provide asbestos consulting and hazardous materials services in Newcastle, including:
Asbestos registers and management plans.
Asbestos clearance inspections (friable and non-friable).
Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) surveys for demolition and redevelopment.
These services integrate with PSIs, DSIs, and CEMPs where asbestos or HAZMAT risks are present.
Local Experience – Newcastle
Our consultants have delivered environmental assessments for projects across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, and the Hunter Valley. Recent examples include:
Childcare and residential developments – PSIs and DSIs for rezoning and subdivision, including unexpected finds protocols.
Industrial and commercial sites – waste classification, ENM/VENM approvals, RAPs and validation.
Infrastructure interfaces – CEMPs for developments requiring coordination with Transport for NSW, Hunter Water, and utility providers.
Why Confluence Environmental
Local consultants – experience across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, and the Hunter region.
Certified practitioners – reports prepared and reviewed by a Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP).
Integrated expertise – PSI, DSI, RAP, validation, waste classification, ENM/VENM, ASS, asbestos, CEMPs.
Guideline alignment – ASC NEPM, NSW EPA guidelines, SEPP (Resilience & Hazards) 2021, and ISO 14001.
Trusted by planners, contractors, and developers – delivering risk-based assessments that stand up to review.
Related Services
Proven, Fast, Accurate and Reliable Environmental Consultants in Newcastle
Why Choose Confluence Environmental
Local environmental consultants in Newcastle.
Reports led by a Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP).
Expertise in PSI, DSI, RAP, Validation, and CEMP.
Alignment with ASC NEPM, EPA guidance, and SEPP RH.
Trusted by planners, councils, and developers across NSW.
Contact Confluence Environmental today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an environmental consultant do in Newcastle?
An environmental consultant assesses environmental risks and compliance requirements for developments, subdivisions, and infrastructure projects. This includes contaminated land investigations, waste classification, acid sulfate soil testing, asbestos surveys, and Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP) to support Development Applications (DAs) and regulatory approvals.
When do I need a contaminated land assessment?
A contaminated land assessment is typically required when lodging a Development Application (DA), rezoning, or subdivision, or when a council requests further information. It may also be required for due diligence during property purchase or redevelopment. Assessments usually begin with a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI), and if risks are identified, a Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) may follow.
What is the difference between a PSI and a DSI?
A Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) is a desktop study and site inspection to identify potential contamination risks. A Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) involves soil, groundwater, or vapour sampling to confirm whether contamination is present. Councils in Newcastle often require a PSI first, and if contamination cannot be ruled out, a DSI is requested.
What is a Remediation Action Plan (RAP)?
A RAP sets out the objectives, methods, and compliance requirements for managing or removing contamination identified during a DSI. It ensures remediation works meet EPA and planning requirements and provides a pathway to validation.
Why are CEMPs important in Newcastle?
A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) sets out how environmental risks will be managed during construction. Councils, principal contractors, or agencies such as Transport for NSW may require a CEMP to address erosion and sediment control, noise, dust, waste, hazardous materials, heritage, and community impacts.
What is waste classification, and when is it needed?
Waste classification determines the correct disposal or reuse pathway for soil, construction spoil, or other waste materials under the NSW EPA Waste Classification Guidelines. It is required before material is transported off-site or reused under ENM (Excavated Natural Material) or VENM (Virgin Excavated Natural Material) approvals.
When do I need an Acid Sulfate Soil Assessment in Newcastle?
If your site is located in a low-lying or coastal area, councils may require an acid sulfate soil assessment before excavation or dewatering works. This ensures that potential acid generation is identified and managed in line with NSW guidance.
Do you provide asbestos and hazardous materials services?
Yes. We provide asbestos inspections, registers, management plans, and clearance certificates, as well as hazardous materials (HAZMAT) surveys. These services often integrate with PSIs, CEMPs, or demolition projects where asbestos-containing materials are present.
How long do environmental reports take?
Timelines depend on scope and complexity. A PSI may take 1–2 weeks, while a DSI or RAP may take several weeks due to sampling and laboratory turnaround times. We provide realistic timeframes to match DA or project deadlines.
Are your reports accepted by Newcastle councils?
Yes. Our reports are prepared to ASC NEPM (2013), NSW EPA guidelines, and SEPP (Resilience & Hazards) 2021, ensuring they are recognised by Newcastle City Council, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, and other Hunter region councils.