How to Avoid Costly Mistakes in Asbestos in Soil Remediation

A Guide for Builders, Developers, and Site Managers Managing Contamination Risk in NSW

Asbestos in soil remains one of the most challenging environmental risks encountered during development and civil construction projects. Whether it’s a known issue or an unexpected find, improper management can quickly lead to spiralling costs, stop-work orders, and long-term liability.

At Confluence Environmental, we support projects across NSW with practical, regulatory-aligned solutions for asbestos in soil assessment and remediation. Below, we share the most common mistakes we see — and how to avoid them.

Starting Work Without an Assessment

One of the most expensive mistakes is beginning excavation or site works without a proper asbestos assessment. What starts as a small, unnoticed fragment can quickly become a site-wide contamination issue if fill is moved, mixed, or compacted without identification.

Before earthworks begin:

• Review the site’s history and past land use

• Engage a Licensed Asbestos Assessor to conduct a targeted inspection

• If asbestos is suspected, undertake soil sampling to confirm its presence and distribution

Early testing avoids exposure risks and gives you time to develop a cost-effective remediation strategy before the issue escalates.

Misclassifying Asbestos Waste

Incorrectly classifying asbestos-contaminated soil can result in:

• Excessive disposal costs

• Rejection at waste facilities

• Regulatory breaches under the NSW Waste Classification Guidelines

Ensure:

• Waste is classified in accordance with the guidelines and supported by laboratory analysis

• Friable vs bonded asbestos is properly identified

• Reports and chain of custody documentation are retained

Working with an experienced environmental consultant helps ensure classification is defensible and compliant — and often reduces unnecessary over-handling.

Over-Remediating the Site

In the absence of clear boundaries and a defined remediation strategy, we often see entire areas excavated and disposed of unnecessarily. This can result in:

• Large volumes of otherwise clean soil being treated as contaminated

• Avoidable tipping fees and transport costs

• Delays to construction programs

To avoid this:

• Use delineation sampling to map contamination extent

• Segregate materials wherever possible

• Implement clear signage and controls during earthworks

In many cases, a well-designed Sampling and Analysis Quality Plan (SAQP) and Remediation Action Plan (RAP) can reduce both the remediation footprint and associated costs.

Failing to Engage Qualified Professionals

In NSW, asbestos in soil must be managed by:

• A Licensed Asbestos Assessor (LAA) for identification, risk assessment, and validation

• Licensed removalists for any Class A or Class B removal

• Environmental consultants for planning and documentation

Unqualified assessments or undocumented cleanups can lead to retrospective audits, rework, or refusal of DA approvals.

If you’re unsure who to engage, start with an LAA or contaminated land consultant who understands the SafeWork NSW Code of Practice and EPA expectations.

Inadequate Validation and Reporting

Even if asbestos is successfully removed, failing to validate and document the work can:

• Delay Council or EPA sign-off

• Trigger future liability if contamination is later discovered

• Breach your obligations under the Contaminated Land Management Act

At a minimum, you should obtain:

• A validation report from a qualified environmental consultant

• Air monitoring and final clearance inspection from a Licensed Asbestos Assessor

• Waste tracking dockets for all disposed material

These documents protect your project, your business, and your client from future risk.

Not Planning for Unexpected Finds

Even the most prepared site can turn up surprises. Many projects get caught out by:

• Asbestos-cement fragments found during trenching

• Contaminated imported fill

• Non-visible asbestos in mixed soils

We recommend every project involving excavation or earthworks include an Unexpected Finds Protocol as part of its Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) or RAP.

This helps your team:

• Know who to notify

• Pause work without panic

• Minimise disruption while remaining compliant

Need Help Getting It Right?

Confluence Environmental supports developers, contractors, and consultants across NSW with asbestos in soil risk assessments, remediation planning, and validation reporting.

We understand the practical realities of construction and bring science-led insight that reduces risk, avoids over-excavation, and keeps your project on track.

Call 0493 042 642 or Request a Quote