Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) — Sydney

Confluence Environmental are trusted environmental consultants in Sydney, delivering Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP) aligned with NSW Government requirements, council conditions of consent, and ISO 14001 environmental management systems. Our CEMPs are developed by experienced environmental practitioners and tailored to meet the expectations of councils, consent authorities, and principal contractors.

A CEMP sets out the framework for managing environmental and community risks during construction. It ensures compliance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), relevant Development Application (DA) conditions, and the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) Environmental Management Plan Guideline (2020).

When a CEMP is Required in Sydney

Councils across Sydney, consistent with NSW planning and infrastructure requirements, may require a CEMP as a condition of development consent. A CEMP may also be required under head contracts (e.g. GC21), by state agencies such as Transport for NSW, or by utility providers when works impact public infrastructure.

You’ll typically need a CEMP when:

• A DA consent condition requires submission and approval of a CEMP prior to construction.

• Works occur in environmentally sensitive locations, such as near waterways, bushland, or heritage areas.

• Large subdivisions, mixed-use developments, or infrastructure projects require formal environmental controls.

• Principal contractors require subcontractors to provide site-specific CEMPs or sub-plans.

• Projects must comply with a Construction Environmental Management Framework (CEMF) established for state significant infrastructure.

Our CEMP Methodology (DPE & ISO 14001–Aligned)

Each CEMP is risk-based, practical, and aligned with recognised guidance. A Sydney CEMP typically includes:

• Project scope and description – location, staging, interfaces, program.

• Legal and other requirements – DA consent conditions, licences, approvals, permits.

• Environmental risk assessment – identification of construction activities and their potential impacts.

• Roles and responsibilities – principal contractor, site manager, environmental representative, subcontractors.

• Training and awareness – site inductions, toolbox talks, environmental responsibilities.

• Sub-plans and procedures, including:

  • Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC)

  • Soil and Water Management, including dewatering protocols

  • Dust, Air Quality and Odour Control (including silica and asbestos interfaces)

  • Noise and Vibration Management

  • Waste and Resource Recovery

  • Traffic and Access Control

  • Hazardous Materials and Unexpected Finds

  • Heritage and Biodiversity Management

  • Community and Stakeholder Communication

• Monitoring and reporting – inspections, audits, incident reporting, non-conformance management.

• Document control and continual improvement – review triggers, audit findings, and corrective actions.

Relationship with RAPs, PSIs and DSIs

Where sites have contamination risks, a CEMP often interfaces with a Remediation Action Plan (RAP) or findings from a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) and Detailed Site Investigation (DSI). For example:

• If asbestos, fill, or contamination risks are present, the CEMP will include Unexpected Finds Protocols and reference remediation requirements.

• Where dewatering is proposed, Acid Sulfate Soil or contaminated groundwater management plans may be integrated.

• Council or EPA may require the CEMP to demonstrate consistency with approved remediation strategies.

Local Experience – Sydney

Our team has prepared CEMPs for projects across Greater Sydney, including City of Sydney, Parramatta, Canterbury-Bankstown, Inner West, Blacktown, Northern Beaches, Penrith, and Liverpool Councils. These projects range from multi-storey residential and commercial developments to infrastructure interfaces requiring coordination with Transport for NSW, Sydney Water, and utility providers.

CEMPs are consistently accepted when they are site-specific, aligned with NSW frameworks, and clearly address DA consent conditions.

Why Confluence Environmental

• Sydney council experience – CEMPs accepted across metropolitan Sydney.

• Guideline alignment – prepared to DPE Environmental Management Plan Guideline (2020) and ISO 14001 environmental management systems.

• Integrated capability – experience across PSIs, DSIs, RAPs, validation, asbestos, hazardous materials, erosion and sediment control, and occupational hygiene, ensuring all risks are addressed.

• Practical delivery – clear, implementable controls that work for site teams and satisfy regulatory reviewers.