In Western Australia, contaminated land management is governed by two key documents:
The Contaminated Sites Act 2003
Supporting regulations from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER)
When creating a remediation program, managers must decide whether they will simply comply with this legislation or go further and plan beyond the regulatory minimums.
Seeking advice from an independent consultant can help you pursue the latter. West Soil & Water can properly identify, manage and communicate contamination risks to ensure your approach in proactive, rather than reactive.
In this article, we explain the importance of independent advice in protecting your project from hidden liabilities, unexpected costs and reputational damage.
Compliance is all about ticking legal boxes. You submit reports, carry out investigations and conduct remediation/treatment works to meet DWER’s minimum standard. While compliance is necessary, it only addresses the most immediate risks.
Independent advice takes a broader view. It also considers what is practical and sustainable for the landowner, the project and the surrounding community. An independent soil remediation company will help you understand:
Whether remediation is required immediately or if it can be staged
How risks may evolve over time if not addressed
What options exist beyond the standard pathways suggested in guidelines
In WA, few contaminated sites have simple histories. With past uses ranging from agricultural activities to mining and resources, sticking to the minimum compliance requirements might cause you to miss some hidden risks.
Working with an independent contaminated land company will ensure that:
Project viability is protected: Consultants will tailor recommendations to your goals, not just compliance outcomes.
Costs are managed realistically: Independent advice considers both upfront expenses and long-term obligations.
Stakeholders are informed: With third-party counsel, you can make decisions with full knowledge of risks, not just regulatory classifications.
Focusing your contaminated land remediation programs solely on compliance can create blind spots that come back to cause future problems. Some common issues include:
Overlooking emerging risks such as contaminant migration during groundwater changes.
Delays during redevelopment caused by undiscovered contamination resurfacing after approvals are granted.
Higher long-term costs if your original, compliance-focused remediation causes further contamination spread.
Reduced property value as a result of poor risk communication during transactions.
When you engage an independent soil remediation contractor, it’s not just regulators who feel more assured. Investors, lenders and the wider community all gain confidence knowing that:
Reporting is transparent
Risks have been fully investigated
The proposed management plan is both compliant and practical
Long-term liabilities are minimised
Widespread confidence can make a big difference in securing approvals, financing and local support.
A compliance-focused approach often looks for the quickest route to meeting minimum standards. But in the long-term, these solutions aren’t always the most efficient or sustainable.
An independent consultant will look beyond the checklist to find the remediation option that provides the best value. Whether it be excavation, containment on in-situ treatment, they’ll consider both efficacy and long-term cost. This broader perspective allows you to compare strategies and choose one that balances project goals with environmental responsibilities and compliance.
The focus on practicality also helps independent consultants reduce the risk of budget blowouts. Prioritising a robust solution early on prevents overspending on unnecessary works in the future or repairing failed remediation solutions.
At West Soil and Water, independence is central to the way we work. We help clients balance the practical realities of their projects with their regulatory obligations to create long-lasting, efficient contamination solutions.
That means:
Conducting contaminated land investigations with clear, unbiased reporting
Presenting remediation strategies that are realistic for both site conditions and project goals
Liaising with DWER on your behalf while ensuring you have a complete picture of risks and requirements.
Providing long-term monitoring and advisory services to ensure future compliance
Our independent advice gives landowners and project managers the clarity and confidence they need to move forward.
To learn more about our advisory services, contact West Soil and Water today.
