WHAT WE DO
Land Contamination Services
Cato Bolam can provide initial Risk Assessments (HAIL) and coordinate Remediation and Validation for commercial and private clients:
- Pre-purchase soil characterisation sampling
- HAIL risk assessments
- Due Diligence Appraisals
- Baseline sampling for commercial development
- Preliminary Site Investigations (PSI)
- Detailed Site Investigations (DSI)
- Remedial Action Plans (RAP)
- Underground petroleum storage system investigation and reporting
- Consents and Approvals
- Contaminated Soil Management Plans (CSMP)
- Remedial Oversight
- Site Validation Reports (SVR)
- Works Completion Reports
- Ongoing Monitoring and Management Plans (OMMP)
- Commercial environmental management plans
- Groundwater investigations and monitoring
All investigations and reports a certified by a qualified, experienced professional.
Need advice on land contamination? Complete the form on our contact us page and our team will be in touch for an obligation free discussion.
Assessing and Remediating Land
Contamination investigations may be required when decommissioning underground petroleum storage systems, undertaking earthworks, subdividing land, or changing land use. This is particularly important where a site has a history of potentially contaminating activities.
Common contaminants include persistent pesticides, asbestos, petroleum hydrocarbons, timber treatment chemicals, and heavy metals.
If contamination is identified, further work may be required to assess the risks and determine appropriate management or remediation. This can include the preparation of a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) or Site Management Plan (SMP) to meet regulatory requirements and protect both people and the environment.
Cato Bolam leads the land contamination process for our clients, working alongside qualified contaminated land practitioners and regulatory specialists. Our team manages the investigation and reporting pathway while ensuring contamination considerations are integrated with planning, surveying, engineering, and development design.
This coordinated approach helps streamline approvals, manage risk, and support practical, cost-effective outcomes for your project.
Buying Land?
Soil testing is a critical part of due diligence. Identifying issues upfront can prevent costly delays and ensure your development moves ahead with certainty.
Find out what opportunities exist for your property.
Book a free discovery call today
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Land Contamination Questions
What do I have to do to meet the requirements of my Ongoing Monitoring and Management Plan?
An Ongoing Monitoring and Management Plan (OMMP) will generally require that soil, groundwater or both be periodically monitored to assure that human health and environmental risks remain at an acceptable level. We can coordinate and maintain a sampling and reporting schedule that will allow you to meet all of the conditions of the OMMP and satisfy your consent conditions.
How can I prevent operations on my property from causing contamination?
We coordinate the development of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) tailored to your specific business that establishes procedures for handling potentially toxic chemicals and other materials that may pose a risk to human health or the environment. The EMP will formalise operational procedures to minimise the chance of spills or other releases and list the steps that need to be taken in the event of an accident or spill.
Is contaminated land remediation required before development?
Contaminated land remediation is generally required when contamination is encountered during commercial development or as a condition on subdivision or land use consents and will need to be completed as part of the development process. In some instances, it may be more cost effective to manage contamination in place, through an Ongoing Monitoring and Management Plan, to minimise risks to human health and the environment rather than spend the money to remove the contamination. We know that every situation is unique and we will work with you to determine the most cost effective and logical solution for your contaminated land problem.
Who has experience in Land Contamination?
Land contamination services are provided by a limited number of consultancies. We can coordinate soil-tests and land contamination assessments alongside all other specialist inputs required for a land development project.
Where can I find an experienced/reputable person for Land Contamination?
These services are provided by a limited number of consultancies. We work with qualified experts in land contamination and, as a multi-disciplinary consultancy, can offer this service alongside all other specialist inputs required for a land development project.
Is my land contaminated?
Your land may have been identified as “potentially” contaminated because of past activities such as an orchard or commercial fuel storage but the only way to know if it is actually contaminated is by performing a site investigation that includes soil sampling. In the initial stages of the investigation a number of sources of information are used to determine potentially contaminating activities, including historical aerial photography, questions to landowners, Council property records, etc. If such activities are identified, it is likely that soil sampling will be required in line with established practices to determine if contamination is present.
For commercial properties, it may be advisable to determine contamination conditions through a baseline investigation prior to constructing a petroleum station or other potentially contaminating facility. This can protect you from future litigation should contamination be discovered later. We can design a sampling plan to determine the contamination status of site soil and groundwater before construction begins.
