Why Sydney Sites Need A Contamination Report Before Building

Site assessments are necessary prior to any land development, prior to approving new constructions land must be inspected. Old fuel tanks, chemical spills, wastes and debris could be placed within the soil for many years. Site contamination reports assist in identifying these hazards prior commencement of construction activity. They also help to show potential hazards to workers on site, to homes located adjacent to the site and to the surrounding environment.

In Sydney and New South Wales (NSW) site assessments are often required in the development application process. Councils and State planning policies may require such documentation prior to providing development consent. Having an appropriate site assessment undertaken early in the development process can save time and reduce risk of delays occurring as a result of unexpected expenses.

What is a Site Contamination Report?

A Site Contamination Report Sydney determines whether or not solid material (including soil, groundwater, or waste) contains contaminants which could affect human health. This process usually begins with a site investigation, where Accredited Environmental Practitioners conduct research on past usage of the property, existing industries and historical records within the area.

The practitioner may take soil and/or groundwater samples from various locations on the site and have them analysed by an independent laboratory to confirm whether or not the land is suitable for any further construction activities, or if there are required remediation works to be undertaken.

Common issues found in Sydney sites include:

●       Asbestos fragments

●       Fuel or oil spills

●       Heavy metals

●       Chemical waste

●       Fill material from old construction work

A report gives builders, owners, and councils a clear view of the site condition.

When a Remedial Action Plan Is Needed

If there’s contamination, then there might need to be prepared a Remedial Action Plan NSW, or “RAP”. The RAP is the manual that explains what will be done to clean or manage the site.

A RAP in NSW may contain the following information:

●       The removal of contaminated soil

●       Methods for safely disposing of the contaminated soil

●       Treatment of groundwater

●       Control methods for dust and erosion

●       Ongoing monitoring of the site

The RAP will demonstrate how the work to be performed complies with regulations set under the NSW Environment Act.

Without a well-prepared RAP, a project could take longer to complete, incur fines, or be subject to safety issues. Therefore, a well-prepared RAP will keep a project on track and will minimise future issues.