Land Contamination Assessments for DA Approvals, Rezoning, and Property Development

The Southern Tablelands region spans rural communities, agricultural hubs, and developing residential corridors — many of which are impacted by legacy contamination risks tied to historical land use. From fuel depots and workshops to sheep dips and former agricultural chemical storage, these sites may require formal assessment before any development can proceed.

At Confluence Environmental, we support private developers, local councils, architects, and DA consultants with clear, council-ready Environmental Site Assessments (Stage 1 & Stage 2) to help unlock safe, compliant development across the Southern Tablelands.

Servicing the Southern Tablelands Region

We conduct Environmental Site Assessments across all key LGAs in the region, including:

• Goulburn Mulwaree

• Queanbeyan-Palerang

• Upper Lachlan Shire

• Yass Valley

• Gundagai and Cootamundra

• Hilltops and Harden region

• Boorowa, Crookwell, Tarago and surrounds

Our assessments support development ranging from residential infill and subdivision to large-scale rural redevelopment and infrastructure projects.

Stage 1 – Preliminary Site Investigations (PSI)

The Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) is the first step in understanding whether a site may pose a contamination risk. This stage involves a combination of desktop research, site history review, and site inspection to identify any environmental concerns.

Common triggers for a PSI in the Southern Tablelands include:

• Development Applications in areas previously used for farming, commercial activity, or light industry

• Rezoning proposals from rural/agricultural to residential or commercial

• Planning Certificate 10.7 flags identifying “potentially contaminated land”

• Council requests as part of DA lodgement requirements

We assess:

• Historical land titles and aerial photography

• EPA Contaminated Land Registers and POEO Act records

• Soil disturbance and visual contamination indicators

• Risk factors for current and proposed land use

Reports are developed in line with the National Environmental Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure (NEPM 2013) and NSW planning and land use policies.

Stage 2 – Detailed Site Investigations (DSI)

A Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) is required where the PSI identifies a credible risk of contamination, or where intrusive sampling is requested by council or certifiers.

Our DSI process involves:

• Targeted soil sampling in areas of environmental concern

• Groundwater or vapour well installation where appropriate

• Laboratory analysis by NATA-accredited labs

• Assessment against NEPM Health and Ecological Investigation Levels

• Development of a Conceptual Site Model (CSM) for the site

We assess a wide range of contaminants including:

• Asbestos in soil from dumped waste or historical demolition

• Heavy metals from past industrial, landfill, or chemical uses

• Petroleum hydrocarbons and solvents from fuel storage or workshop activity

• Agricultural residues including organochlorine pesticides and herbicides

• Fill material contamination associated with past uncontrolled placement

Reports are developed to inform planning decisions and identify whether remediation or management is required for the site to be considered suitable for its intended use.

Remediation Action Plans (RAPs)

If site contamination is confirmed, a Remediation Action Plan (RAP) is required to guide clean-up and ensure the land becomes suitable for its intended zoning (e.g. RU5 Village, R2 Low-Density Residential, or RE1 Public Open Space).

A typical RAP will:

• Define contamination risks and target criteria

• Recommend removal, capping, or management solutions

• Classify soils and waste in accordance with the NSW Waste Classification Guidelines

• Outline safe work procedures and environmental controls

• Set criteria for post-remediation validation and site sign-off

We support both large and small remediation programs and can provide contractor guidance or third-party oversight to ensure remediation outcomes are met.

Validation Reports

Following remediation, a Validation Report confirms that the site has been made safe and suitable for its proposed use. This is a critical step for planning finalisation and subdivision registration.

Validation Reports include:

• Post-remediation sampling and analysis

• Summary of removed or treated materials

• Clean fill verification (if imported)

• Waste tracking documentation

• Compliance with RAP objectives and NEPM standards

These reports are essential for satisfying DA conditions and certifier requirements and may be used to remove planning certificate notations on land contamination.

Due Diligence and Pre-Purchase Site Assessments

If you're acquiring or leasing land across the Southern Tablelands — particularly for commercial, childcare, infrastructure, or residential use — it's essential to understand contamination risks early.

We offer:

• Due diligence ESAs for investors and developers

• Pre-purchase soil sampling for asbestos or fill material

• Risk-based assessments to support strategic acquisition or rezoning

• Advice on land suitability and future obligations

These assessments help you avoid unforeseen delays, manage development risk, and negotiate from a position of clarity.

Who We Work With

We regularly partner with:

• Town planners and DA consultants across the region

• Private developers and landowners

• Architects and project managers

• Rural property buyers and subdivision planners

• Local councils and infrastructure authorities

We’re familiar with the planning frameworks used by Goulburn Mulwaree, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Yass Valley, and other local authorities — and can work directly with councils to ensure you meet requirements.