Contaminated Land Assessment for Development Applications and Land Use Changes

Urban renewal, infrastructure upgrades, and changing land uses across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and the Hunter Valley have highlighted legacy contamination risks from past industrial, mining, agricultural, and commercial activity. Whether you’re submitting a Development Application (DA), subdividing land, or preparing a site for residential, commercial, or mixed use — Confluence Environmental delivers fast, council-ready environmental site assessments to help your project move forward safely and compliantly.

We assess, document, and manage contamination risks in accordance with NSW planning laws, Central Coast & Hunter regional council requirements, and the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 (NSW).

Environmental Consultants for the Hunter Region

Our experienced consultants provide full-service support to architects, developers, planners, and certifiers across:

• Newcastle

• Lake Macquarie

• Cessnock

• Maitland

• Singleton

• Port Stephens

• Muswellbrook

• Upper Hunter

We specialise in all stages of environmental assessment:

• Preliminary Site Investigations (PSI / Stage 1 ESA)

• Detailed Site Investigations (DSI / Stage 2 ESA)

• Remediation Action Plans (RAPs)

• Site Validation

• Due Diligence & Contamination Risk Reviews

All reports meet council and EPA requirements, and we offer the option for review or certification by a Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP).

Preliminary Site Investigations (PSI) – Stage 1 ESA

A Stage 1 Environmental Site Assessment (also called a Preliminary Site Investigation) is the first step in identifying the potential for land contamination.

We conduct PSIs throughout Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter Valley to support:

• Development Applications (DAs)

• Rezoning or subdivision proposals

• CDC/CC planning approvals

• Planning Certificates (Section 10.7) flagged as "potentially contaminated"

Our PSI includes:

• Desktop review of historical land uses (e.g. mining, agriculture, industry, fuel storage)

• Review of aerial photos, council archives, EPA records and environmental databases

• Walkover inspection by a qualified environmental consultant

• Contaminant risk screening and summary of implications for your project

Reports are council-ready and delivered within 3–5 business days.

Detailed Site Investigations (DSI) – Stage 2 ESA

When a PSI identifies potential contaminants — or where there is a known history of pollution — a Detailed Site Investigation (Stage 2 ESA) is required.

We complete DSIs across the Hunter region including Newcastle’s former industrial sites, Lake Macquarie’s reclaimed land, and rural lots in Cessnock, Singleton and beyond.

Our DSI process includes:

• Soil, groundwater, and vapour sampling using industry best-practice

• NATA-accredited laboratory analysis for asbestos, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides, and more

• Human health and ecological risk assessment (HHERA)

• Development of a Conceptual Site Model (CSM)

• Clear interpretation of results and actionable recommendations

All DSIs meet NEPM 2013, NSW EPA, and local council expectations.

Remediation Action Plans (RAPs)

If contamination is identified during a site investigation, we can assist with a compliant and practical Remediation Action Plan tailored to your site's conditions and intended land use.

Our RAPs cover:

• Site-specific remediation objectives and criteria

• Excavation, capping, containment or on-site treatment strategies

• Disposal classification for regulated waste (VENM/ENM/general/hazardous)

• Contractor coordination and WHS integration

• Timeline and cost-efficient staging aligned with development milestones

We regularly assist developers across Newcastle’s renewal zones, brownfield sites in Lake Macquarie, and agricultural-to-residential conversions in the Hunter Valley.

Site Validation Reporting

After remediation works are complete, we undertake validation sampling and reporting to confirm that the site meets its intended use criteria.

Validation Reports include:

• Post-remediation sampling and analysis

• Comparison to relevant land use guideline values

• Final declaration of suitability for residential, commercial, or public use

• Documentation required by council to lift DA conditions

These reports are essential to obtain Subdivision Certificates, CCs, or DA close-outs.

Due Diligence Assessments

If you are acquiring or selling property in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie or Hunter region, a due diligence ESA can protect you from liability for legacy contamination. We provide tailored pre-purchase investigations to assess potential contamination risks, regulatory triggers, and clean-up cost implications.

We routinely support landowners, developers, solicitors, and investors acquiring:

• Former mining or industrial lots

• Rural land converted to residential or mixed use

• Commercial or waterfront land near legacy infrastructureWho We Work With

We regularly work with:

• Town planners and DA consultants

• Architects and building designers

• Developers and landowners

• Real estate advisors and conveyancers

• Environmental lawyers and compliance officers

Whether you're building a duplex, subdividing a large parcel, or converting commercial land to residential, we’ll support your goals with the right technical insight and reporting.