Preliminary Site Investigation Solutions - Newcastle

Contaminated Land & Environmental Site Assessments in Newcastle

Confluence Environmental are trusted environmental consultants in Newcastle delivering Preliminary Site Investigations (PSI), Detailed Site Investigations (DSI), Remediation Action Plans (RAP), Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP) and [site validation reporting]. Our work is led by a Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP) and aligned with the ASC NEPM (Assessment of Site Contamination), NSW EPA contaminated land reporting guidelines, and SEPP (Resilience and Hazards) 2021 – Chapter 4.

If you require a contaminated land assessment, soil contamination report or environmental site assessment to support a Development Application (DA), rezoning, subdivision or property transaction, we deliver regulator-ready reporting consistent with the broader contaminated land and remediation framework applied across NSW, ensuring planning authorities and certifiers can confidently rely on the outcomes.

When a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) Is Required in Newcastle

A Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI), sometimes referred to as a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, is the first step in identifying potential land contamination and demonstrating that land is suitable for its proposed use. In Newcastle, councils frequently require a PSI where contamination risk is raised through a DA condition, where sensitive uses such as residential or childcare are proposed on land with industrial history, or where imported fill and surrounding land uses may have introduced contamination.

PSIs are also commonly undertaken during property transactions as part of environmental due diligence, allowing buyers and developers to identify contamination risk early and make informed decisions about investigation, remediation or project feasibility.

Our PSI Methodology (ASC NEPM–Aligned)

Each environmental site assessment is risk-based and undertaken in accordance with the ASC NEPM. A Newcastle PSI typically involves a detailed desktop review of planning controls, historical aerial imagery, directories and environmental records, followed by a targeted site inspection to identify potential contamination indicators such as fill, staining, asbestos-containing materials or legacy infrastructure.

We then identify human health and environmental receptors, assess source–pathway–receptor relationships and develop a Conceptual Site Model, a core component of contaminated land risk assessment used to evaluate whether contamination could pose a credible risk and whether further intrusive investigation is required.

The PSI concludes with a clear determination of whether no further action is justified or whether a Detailed Site Investigation is required to resolve uncertainty and quantify risk.

Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) – Newcastle

Where a PSI identifies potential contamination or insufficient data, we undertake a Detailed Site Investigation involving targeted soil, groundwater and soil vapour sampling supported by Data Quality Objectives and laboratory analysis through NATA-accredited facilities. These investigations quantify contamination risk to human health and the environment and form the technical basis for planning decisions, remediation design and regulatory acceptance within the contaminated land and remediation process.

DSIs are commonly required by Newcastle City Council where a PSI cannot fully demonstrate site suitability, particularly for developments involving sensitive land use, imported fill or historical industrial activity.

Remediation Action Plans and CEMPs

Where contamination is confirmed, we prepare Remediation Action Plans that define remediation objectives, appropriate remediation methods, validation criteria and contingency measures in accordance with NSW EPA expectations. RAPs ensure contamination risks are managed systematically and are often required to support planning approval, site auditor review or redevelopment of contaminated land.

For redevelopment projects, we also prepare Construction Environmental Management Plans to manage contamination risks during earthworks and construction, integrating contaminated land controls with [waste classification], environmental protection and workplace health and safety requirements to ensure compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

Site Validation and Clearance Reporting

Following remediation, we provide site validation reporting to demonstrate that the land is suitable for its intended use. Validation includes confirmatory sampling, documentation of remediation outcomes and reporting aligned with NSW EPA contaminated land guidelines, often forming a key requirement for discharging DA conditions, achieving site auditor sign-off or obtaining occupation certification.

Due Diligence & Land Contamination in Newcastle

Our contaminated land services also support environmental due diligence for buyers, developers and investors by identifying potential contamination risks, regulatory exposure and investigation requirements prior to property acquisition or redevelopment. This allows informed decision-making and helps avoid unexpected remediation costs, planning delays or compliance issues later in the project.

Local Experience – Newcastle Project Example

We recently completed a Preliminary and Detailed Site Investigation for a light industrial site in Hamilton North where historical fill and potential hydrocarbon impacts were identified. Targeted intrusive investigation confirmed metals within fill but below applicable commercial criteria, and with clear risk-based reporting aligned to the ASC NEPM, the Development Application was approved without additional remediation conditions, allowing the project to proceed efficiently.