Preliminary Site Investigation Newcastle

Preliminary Site Assessments & Contaminated Land Investigations in Newcastle

Confluence Environmental provides Preliminary Site Investigations (PSI), preliminary site assessments, environmental site investigations and contaminated land assessments throughout Newcastle and the Hunter Region.

A PSI is the initial stage of assessing whether historical or current activities may have contaminated a property and whether contamination could affect its suitability for development or a proposed land use. It may also be referred to as a preliminary assessment, initial site assessment, land contamination assessment or Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment.

Our investigations are overseen by a Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP) and undertaken with reference to the ASC NEPM, applicable NSW EPA contaminated land guidance and the NSW planning framework.

We assist developers, property owners, planners and project teams with site investigations for Development Applications, rezoning, subdivision, redevelopment, property acquisition and environmental due diligence.

What Is a Preliminary Site Investigation?

A Preliminary Site Investigation is a risk-based assessment used to determine whether activities at or surrounding a property may have resulted in land contamination.

The investigation considers the site's history, environmental setting and current condition to identify potential Areas of Environmental Concern (AECs) and Contaminants of Potential Concern (CoPCs).

These findings are incorporated into a Conceptual Site Model (CSM) considering potential contaminant sources, pathways and human or environmental receptors.

The purpose of the PSI is to determine whether a credible contamination risk exists and whether further investigation is required. Where material contamination risks are not identified, further intrusive investigation may not be necessary.

When Is a Preliminary Site Investigation Required in Newcastle?

A Preliminary Site Investigation may be required where the history or condition of a property indicates that contamination could affect its proposed development or land use.

This is particularly relevant across Newcastle due to the region's long history of industrial, commercial, mining, transport and port-related development.

A preliminary site assessment may be appropriate for:

• Former industrial or commercial properties.

• Workshops, depots and vehicle maintenance facilities.

• Former fuel storage or service stations.

• Sites containing imported or undocumented fill.

• Demolition sites and land potentially containing asbestos.

• Historical chemical storage or waste disposal areas.

• Former agricultural land.

• Sites changing to residential, childcare or another more sensitive use.

• Property purchases where contamination liability requires assessment.

Areas such as Wickham, Carrington, Mayfield, Broadmeadow and other historically industrial parts of Newcastle can have complex land-use histories where early contamination assessment is particularly important.

What Does a Preliminary Site Investigation Include?

The scope is tailored to the property, its history and the proposed development.

Desktop Study

The desktop study begins with review of available information to establish how the site and surrounding land have been used.

This may include historical aerial imagery, planning information, previous environmental reports, relevant NSW EPA records, historical titles where appropriate, geology, soils, groundwater conditions and surrounding land uses.

Site Walkover

A Site walkover is undertaken to compare the historical information with current site conditions.

The inspection may identify imported fill, staining, unusual odours, waste materials, potential asbestos, fuel infrastructure, chemical storage, workshops, stockpiles, drainage features or other evidence of potentially contaminating activities.

AECs, CoPCs & Conceptual Site Model

The desktop assessment and inspection are used to identify Areas of Environmental Concern and associated Contaminants of Potential Concern.

These are assessed through a Conceptual Site Model considering:

• potential contamination sources;

• pathways through which contaminants may migrate or cause exposure; and

• human or environmental receptors that may be affected.

Identification of an AEC does not mean contamination is confirmed. It provides the basis for deciding whether additional investigation is warranted.

Soil Sampling

Soil sampling is typically not required for a PSI.

Where useful, targeted soil investigation may be undertaken to resolve a specific uncertainty, such as suspicious fill, staining, former fuel storage or potential asbestos-containing material.

Where more comprehensive soil, groundwater or vapour assessment is required to determine the nature and extent of contamination, the project will generally progress to a Detailed Site Investigation.

Local Experience

Confluence Environmental undertook a Preliminary Site Investigation for a proposed commercial and industrial redevelopment in Wickham, Newcastle.

The desktop study identified historical fill, heavy machinery use and chemical storage as potential Areas of Environmental Concern.

During the site inspection and targeted soil investigation, localised hydrocarbon staining and odours were identified. Selected soil samples were subsequently submitted for laboratory analysis.

The investigation did not identify contaminants above the adopted human-health criteria in the samples analysed; however, field observations and petroleum hydrocarbon results indicated localised impact to shallow soils.

As the preliminary sampling was not intended to fully characterise the site, a Detailed Site Investigation was recommended to delineate the identified impacts and resolve remaining data gaps.

This demonstrates the purpose of a PSI: identify credible contamination risks and determine the appropriate next step without unnecessarily over-investigating a site.

Preliminary Site Investigations Across Newcastle & the Hunter

Confluence Environmental provides contaminated land assessment and PSI services throughout:

Newcastle and Lake Macquarie – including Wickham, Carrington, Mayfield, Wallsend, Cardiff, Charlestown and surrounding areas.

Hunter Valley – including Maitland, Thornton, Cessnock, Singleton, Muswellbrook and surrounding areas.

Port Stephens – including Raymond Terrace, Heatherbrae, Tomago, Williamtown, Medowie and surrounding areas.

Where further assessment is required, we also provide Detailed Site Investigations, remediation planning and validation as part of the broader contaminated land management process.