If you’re responsible for a property in Western Australia, you must have a thorough understanding of contaminated land. Contamination can impact site value, limit development potential and carry legal obligations under environmental laws.
At West Soil & Water, we offer a comprehensive package to identify and remediate contaminated land. Our services include site investigations, risk assessments, remediation works and reporting assistance.
If you would like to speak with an environmental consultant about contaminated land, you can contact us at sam@westsoilandwater.com.au or call 0424 021 264.
In Western Australia, land is classified as contaminated when potentially harmful substances are present abnormally or are present in elevated concentrations. They can cause harm to human health, the environment and surrounding land uses. Examples include hydrocarbons, heavy metals and asbestos.
Contamination is typically the result of current or historical commercial activity, such as:
Fuel storage or handling (e.g. leaking underground tanks)
Industrial operations or manufacturing
Waste disposal and illegal dumping
Agricultural chemical use
Mining and extractive industries
Fire training or emergency response activities
Accidental chemical spills
A site does not need to show visible signs of contamination or pose an immediate risk to be classified as contaminated. Even low-level contamination can trigger an investigation and regulatory attention, especially if there is a pathway for the contaminants to reach people, wildlife or waterways.
Contamination can restrict land use, preventing development or sensitive uses like residential living or childcare.
When land is contaminated, landowners have a legal responsibility to report, assess and in some cases, remediate the site. Under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 this includes the identification, classification and management of contaminated sites. Key guidelines include:
Mandatory Reporting: Owners, occupiers or those who have caused or contributed to contamination must report known or suspected contaminated sites to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER)
Site Classification: Upon reporting, DWER assesses and classifies the site based on the level of contamination and associated risks.
Public Register: Classified sites are recorded in a publicly accessible register, ensuring transparency and informing potential buyers of any contamination issues.
Failing to comply with the Act can result in significant penalties, including legal action and reputational damage.
Effective management of contaminated land involves a structured process aligned with the Act and DWER guidelines. The West Soil & Water management process typically includes:
Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI): A review of the site’s history and any visible signs of contamination to determine whether further assessment is required.
Detailed Site Investigation (DSI): Involves soil and groundwater sampling to define the extent, type and potential risks of contamination.
If contamination is found, we carry out a site-specific risk assessment to evaluate potential harm to people and the environment. DWER will then classify the site, which determines whether remediation is necessary.
Where required, we develop a remediation plan. The choice of treatment depends on the extent of contamination and the proposed uses for the site. They include:
Excavation and removal
Capping or containment
Groundwater controls
Use restrictions or long-term site management
For information about the costs of contaminated land remediation, you can contact us here.
After remediation, validation testing confirms that treatment objectives have been met. Formal reporting to DWER must be continued in order to support reclassification of the site and confirm compliance.
Contaminated land can create serious risks for property owners, developers, and the environment. Whether you’re assessing a site for the first time or responding to a known issue, it’s important to engage an environmental consultant to ensure:
Compliance with regulations
Adherence to strict investigation and mitigation processes
At West Soil & Water, we have helped clients across Western Australia navigate the complexities of contaminated land management with solutions tailored to their site.
For expert guidance on managing contaminated land, contact West Soil & Water at sam@westsoilandwater.com.au or call 0424 021 264.
