What Planners and Architects Need to Know About Site Contamination (But Often Don’t)
A Straightforward Guide for Design and Planning Professionals Navigating DA-Stage Risk in NSW
Site contamination isn’t just a construction or environmental problem — it’s a planning risk that can derail projects before they begin.
For planners and architects working on development applications (DAs), understanding the fundamentals of contaminated land is critical. If overlooked in the early stages, contamination issues can result in delayed approvals, unexpected remediation costs, and frustrated clients.
At Confluence Environmental, we work with planning and design professionals across NSW to help identify and manage contamination risk before it becomes a barrier. This guide outlines the key things you should know — and what you can do to stay ahead.
Why Contamination Is a Planning Issue — Not Just a Construction One
Under the NSW planning system, contaminated land must be assessed and made suitable for its intended use before development consent is granted.
This means councils will often require:
A Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) as part of your DA
A Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) if contamination is suspected
A Remediation Action Plan (RAP) for higher-risk sites or land use changes
If these assessments aren’t prepared early, your DA may be deferred, refused, or conditioned in a way that delays your program and affects design feasibility.
Common Triggers for Contamination Assessment
Planners and architects should always flag contamination risk if the site:
Has a history of industrial, commercial, or agricultural use
Contains or is adjacent to fill, stockpiles, or buried waste
Is subject to land use change from a less sensitive to a more sensitive use (e.g. industrial to residential or childcare)
Has a planning requirement under the SEPP (Resilience and Hazards) 2021
Is listed on a council or EPA contaminated land register
Even if the site appears clean, previous land uses — and imported fill — may leave behind residual risks that require investigation under planning legislation.
What Happens If You Don’t Address It Early?
The longer contamination risk goes unaddressed, the more likely it is to cause:
DA delays due to council requests for additional information
Rework of site layout or landscaping to accommodate remediation needs
Budget shocks for the client due to unexpected remediation or disposal
Damage to reputation if a client feels environmental risk was overlooked
Planning around contamination isn’t about adding complexity — it’s about de-risking your design from the start.
What to Do During Site Feasibility or Early Concept Design
If you suspect contamination may be an issue:
Engage an environmental consultant early to conduct a preliminary review
Request a site history review or planning memo to support early advice
Include environmental inputs in your pre-DA client brief or risk register
Budget for a PSI (and potentially DSI) if you’re changing land use
This positions you as a proactive advisor who’s thinking ahead — not just about design, but about approval success and project delivery.
How Confluence Environmental Supports Planners and Architects
We regularly work with planning and design teams to:
Review site history and identify potential contamination risks
Deliver Preliminary Site Investigations (PSIs) to support DAs
Carry out Detailed Site Investigations (DSIs) and Remediation Action Plans (RAPs)
Provide clear, practical input into masterplans, landscape layouts, and feasibility studies
Coordinate with councils and regulatory bodies to streamline approvals
Our reporting meets the NSW EPA Contaminated Land Guidelines and is structured for use by certifiers, planners, and project managers alike.
Helping You Help Your Clients
Your clients trust you to navigate more than just form and function — they rely on you to anticipate roadblocks and guide projects from concept to delivery.
By engaging with contamination risk early, you can:
Protect your client from unnecessary cost and delay
Strengthen your DA documentation
Improve the likelihood of smooth approvals
Deliver more buildable, de-risked designs
Working on a site with potential contamination?
Confluence Environmental provides contamination risk reviews, PSIs, DSIs, and remediation planning to support your DA and protect your design integrity.
Call 0493 042 642 or Request a Quote