South Bathurst — Preliminary Site Investigation for an Industrial Development
Confluence Environmental completed a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) with limited soil sampling for a proposed industrial development at South Bathurst, in the NSW Central West.
The assessment covered an approximately 7,150 m² redevelopment area, supporting a development application for five industrial units and a two-lot subdivision, with associated vehicle access, parking and hardstand areas.
About the project
The property sits within an established industrial setting with a history of potentially contaminating activities. The proposed redevelopment required an assessment of historical land use, imported fill and possible impacts from adjoining activities.
Confluence’s role was to identify potential contamination constraints, undertake preliminary soil testing and establish what further investigation would be required to assess suitability for the proposed industrial use.
Project at a glance:
Assessment area: Approximately 7,150 m².
Proposed development: Five industrial units and a two-lot subdivision.
Field investigation: Eight targeted soil sampling locations.
Scope: Historical review, site inspection, preliminary soil testing and conceptual site modelling.
Technical review: CEnvP Site Contamination specialist review.
Investigating the site’s industrial history
Confluence reviewed historical aerial photographs, land titles, planning information and regulatory records, supported by a site walkover.
The assessment considered a combination of historical and current activities, including:
Records of former liquid fuel depot and cement works uses.
Uncontrolled filling and the potential for buried waste.
Vehicle, equipment and miscellaneous material storage.
Potential impacts from adjoining mechanical workshop and railway activities.
Potential contamination associated with off-site stormwater discharges.
This review informed the selection of sampling locations and the development of a preliminary Conceptual Site Model, linking potential contamination sources with possible exposure pathways and receptors.
Preliminary soil investigation
Confluence undertook intrusive investigation at eight targeted locations, assessing selected areas of fill, material storage and potential impacts from adjoining activities.
The laboratory program included petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and qualitative asbestos analysis. Results were assessed in the context of the proposed commercial and industrial land use.
The sampled soils met the adopted human-health criteria. However, the preliminary program did not fully characterise the extent of fill, potential deeper buried material or all historical contamination sources.
These findings informed the next stage of assessment rather than providing an unconditional conclusion on site suitability.
Defining the further investigation requirements
Confluence concluded that the site could be made suitable for the proposed industrial development, subject to further investigation and any necessary remediation or management.
A Detailed Site Investigation was recommended to address the remaining areas of environmental concern, including fill conditions, historical industrial activities and potential impacts to soil and surface water.
The report also identified the need for waste classification of surplus excavated material where off-site disposal was proposed.
The PSI underwent technical review by a Certified Environmental Practitioner specialising in Site Contamination, supporting the interpretation of findings and recommendations.
Supporting informed redevelopment decisions
The assessment gave the project team a documented understanding of the property’s contamination risks and the further work needed to progress the proposed development.
By combining historical research with targeted soil testing, Confluence identified the issues requiring closer investigation and established a basis for planning that work before construction.
Planning an industrial redevelopment in Bathurst or regional NSW? Contact Confluence Environmental for preliminary site investigations, contaminated land assessment and soil testing.