Acid Sulfate Soils Assessments & Management Plans - Newcastle

Acid Sulfate Soils (also “acid sulphate soils”) can stall a Development Application, add cost to bulk earthworks, and complicate dewatering. Confluence Environmental’s environmental scientists deliver Acid Sulfate Soil Assessments and Acid Sulfate Soil Management Plans (ASSMPs) across Greater Newcastle—fast, practical, and aligned with council and NSW guidance. We assess Class 1–5 acid sulfate soils, prepare dewatering management plans, and document acid sulfate soil treatment so projects keep moving.

Services (DA-ready “Soil Reports”)

Acid Sulfate Soil Assessment (Class 1–5)

Desktop screening against council ASS maps, site walkover, targeted sampling, and clear risk conclusions for planners—covering Class 1, 2, 3, 4 and Class 5 acid sulfate soils.

Acid Sulfate Soil Management Plan (ASSMP)

Construction-ready controls for excavation, stockpiling, acid sulfate soil treatment (lime neutralisation), verification and records—written for supervisors to use on site.

Dewatering Management Plan & Discharge Testing

Neutralisation and settlement train, pH control and dosing, hold points, discharge criteria, monitoring frequency, and NATA lab analysis (pH, EC, TSS/turbidity, acidity/alkalinity, sulfate; iron/aluminium where relevant). Chain-of-custody and field logs included.

Waste & Reuse Pathways

Advice on on-site reuse vs off-site disposal, with Waste Classification where required (EPA Waste Classification Guidelines).

Construction Soil Test Reports

Field logging, chain of custody, and NATA laboratory analysis for compliance.

Soil Suitability, Salinity & Aggressivity

Where ASS and contamination intersect, you get one coordinated answer. We also provide salinity profiling and concrete/steel aggressivity inputs (sulfate exposure class, pH) to support design.

When you’ll be asked for an ASS assessment / ASSMP

• Site is within council Acid Sulfate Soils Class 1–5 mapping (low-lying/coastal alluvials)

• Excavation below the water table, trenching, dewatering, or bulk earthworks in mapped areas

• DA information request or condition requiring an Acid Sulfate Soil Management Plan

Our methodology (clear, regulator-recognised)

Screening & scope — Review Class 1–5 mapping, ground levels, geotech, hydrology and DA plans; define ASS triggers.
Targeted investigation — Logged boreholes/test pits at risk locations, groundwater checks (if relevant), field pH/EC.
Laboratory testing — NATA analysis using accepted ASS suites:

• SPOCAS (TAA/TPA, TSA) and ANC

• CRS where appropriate

• ABA / NAPP for net acidity and lime demand

Risk & design inputs — Depth/extent of PASS/AASS, water quality risks, and implications for works.
ASSMP — Site-specific controls, dewatering management plan, monitoring, contingencies, roles, and templates.

What’s in your Acid Sulfate Soil Management Plan (ASSMP)

• Excavation & handling — Staging to limit exposure; segregation; immediate cover; stockpiles on liners with perimeter controls

• Treatment — Acid sulfate soil treatment via lime dosing from lab data; mixing methods; verification testing; record sheets

• Dewatering — Impact assessment; settlement → neutralisation → polishing; field pH/EC/turbidity and scheduled NATA suites; discharge criteria & hold points (no release until within limits; contingency = re-treat/recirculate or licensed off-site disposal)

• Rain & runoff — Capture, containment and inspection hold points

• Waste pathways — Reuse vs Waste Classification for disposal

• Monitoring & close-out — Field checks, verification sampling, and a concise Validation/Close-Out Report for council

Why choose Confluence Environmental (Enviro Consultants Newcastle)

• Local team used to coastal acid sulfate/sulphate soils conditions and DA pathways

• Trusted environmental reports your assessor can action without back-and-forth

• Practical, construction-friendly ASSMPs and dewatering management plans

• Competitive prices, clear scopes, and responsive turnaround

• One point of contact for Acid Sulfate Soils, Soil Testing Newcastle, Waste, and Soil Suitability

Call 0493 042 642 or Request a Fast Quote — Acid Sulfate Soils Assessments, Management Plans & Dewatering (Newcastle).