Frequently Asked Questions

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 minimize 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 have qualified experts in land contamination and, as a multi-discilplinary consutancy, can offer this service 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 have 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 we use a number of sources of information to determine potentially contaminating activities, including historical aerial photography, questions to landowners, Council property records, etc. If such activities are identified, we will likely carry out soil sampling 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.

What does a property survey cost?

Depending on the size of your property and project and availability of historical data survey costs can vary greatly. We provide an estimate of survey costs at the start of a project.

When will I need a topographical survey?

Most land development and subdivision projects require a topographical or “topo” survey which will detail the land contour and any other features on the land. The electronic data provided by a topo survey is then used by a number of other disciplines who design the development – including other disciplines such as geotechnical investigations, infrastructure design, ecological reports, archaeological reports, architectural design and landscaping reports.

Is my boundary in the right place?

Quite often your boundary isn’t where it appears to be! Our land surveyors are available to fix the position of your boundary.

Do I need a land surveyor?

If you are subdividing, Licensed or Registered Professional Surveyors are required to undertake the legal definition of a new land parcel for the purposes of creating new titles. This is a core part of the services we provide. Land surveyors also undertake a wide range of other survey work required as an integral part of a development project.

What is a unit title subdivision?

Unit title subdivisions are a common way of providing titles for higher density residential development such as apartments and industrial and commercial development where there are a number of premises on the one site. Unit titles require a building to be designed as boundaries ar based on the building premises. Once completed, unit titles can be sold off individually, usually with a share in common areas such as access and carparking.

Who has experience in Unit Titles?

A Licensed or Registered Professional Surveyor (land surveyor)