Multi-Site Asbestos Surveys and Registers – NSW Regional Asset Portfolio
Prepared by Confluence Environmental — independent asbestos and hazardous materials consultants supporting complex, multi-site portfolios across NSW.
Confluence Environmental was engaged by a large NSW-wide not-for-profit organisation to undertake a comprehensive program of asbestos surveys and asbestos registers across a geographically diverse portfolio of operational assets.
The engagement was initiated as a requirement associated with the renewal of the organisation’s insurance arrangements, triggering the need for up-to-date, compliant asbestos information across all relevant properties.
Project Background
The asset portfolio comprised 38 individual sites including retail outlets, storage facilities, light industrial spaces and administrative offices. The sites were distributed across a wide geographic area, extending from the southern extent of Lake Macquarie (including Swansea and Belmont), through Newcastle, Forster and Taree, north to Kempsey, and west to Muswellbrook.
Many of the assets were publicly accessible and operational throughout the assessment period, requiring a careful and consistent approach to risk management, communication and site coordination.
Given the scale of the portfolio and the sensitivity of the sites, the client required a consultant capable of delivering consistent outcomes across all locations while maintaining a high standard of independence and discretion.
Scope of Services
Confluence Environmental delivered a structured program of asbestos inspections and assessments across the full asset portfolio.
The scope of works included:
Completion of 38 asbestos surveys across operational sites
Identification and assessment of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
Risk assessment based on material type, condition and accessibility
Preparation of site-specific asbestos registers
Clear recommendations to support ongoing asbestos management and compliance
All inspections were undertaken in a manner that minimised disruption to occupants, staff and members of the public.
Key Challenges
The project presented several logistical and technical challenges:
Significant geographic separation between sites
Variation in building age, construction type and historical use
Public-facing environments requiring heightened sensitivity
Maintaining consistency of methodology and reporting across all locations
A further challenge was ensuring that the outputs met both insurance and regulatory expectations, while remaining practical for day-to-day asset management.
Approach and Delivery
To manage the scale of the project, Confluence Environmental implemented a structured delivery framework, including standardised inspection protocols, consistent risk rating methodologies and uniform reporting formats.
This approach ensured that asbestos risks were assessed consistently across all assets, allowing the client to clearly understand relative risk levels and prioritise management actions across their portfolio.
Findings were documented in a clear and accessible manner, supporting integration into broader asset and facilities management systems.
Outcomes
The project resulted in the delivery of a complete and compliant set of asbestos registers for all 38 sites, providing the client with a clear understanding of asbestos risks across their NSW asset portfolio.
The updated documentation supported insurance renewal requirements, improved regulatory confidence and established a robust foundation for ongoing asbestos management, inspections and future works planning.
Why This Project Matters
Large, dispersed asset portfolios present unique asbestos management challenges, particularly where sites are publicly accessible and operational.
This project highlights the importance of:
Consistent methodology across multiple sites
Clear, defensible asbestos documentation
Sensitivity to public-facing environments
Scalable systems that support long-term compliance
By delivering a coordinated, high-quality outcome across a complex regional portfolio, Confluence Environmental supported both compliance and practical asset management objectives.
Confluence Environmental’s Role
Confluence Environmental provides independent asbestos surveys, asbestos registers and hazardous materials advisory services for single assets and large portfolios across NSW.
Our experience delivering multi-site programs ensures consistent outcomes, regulatory confidence and practical solutions for asset owners, insurers and facility managers.