Contaminated Land
Contaminated land advice for acquisition, development and site risk decisions.
iEnvi scopes and delivers contaminated land investigations that help clients decide what matters, what can wait and what needs to be addressed before capital, approvals or construction progress further.
How this service is used
What clients usually need from contaminated land advice.
The layout keeps the service story balanced: typical triggers, practical outputs and the working style clients can expect from iEnvi.
Typical instructions
When clients usually call
- Property acquisition and divestment due diligence.
- Planning and development support where contamination risk must be clarified early.
- Legacy industrial use, historical fill, underground storage tanks or unexpected sampling results.
What we deliver
Outputs that support decisions
- Preliminary and detailed site investigations.
- Conceptual site models, targeted sampling and defensible interpretation.
- Advice that can support transactions, approvals, audit pathways and remediation scoping.
Why iEnvi
Working style
- Senior contaminated land involvement from scope through reporting.
- Practical framing around programme, liability and commercial decision points.
- Clear explanation of what findings mean for the next step, not just the report archive.
Related projects
Selected project summaries.
These published project summaries show how iEnvi approaches contaminated land matters on live sites.
Proof in the Soil: PSI and Screening for a Former Sawmill
A concise, defensible Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) and targeted soil screening at a former regional Queensland sawmill clarified contamination risk (timber-treatment residues, unknown fill…
Childcare Development PSI & DSI — Redbank Plains QLD
iEnvi completed a combined preliminary site investigation (PSI) and geotechnical soil investigation for a proposed childcare development at Redbank Plains, QLD. Findings indicated negligible…
Townhouse Development PSI & DSI — Angle Vale, South Australia
Preliminary site investigations at two Angle Vale properties identified one former landfill (development unviable) and one suitable site, informing a developer’s decision on 50-…
View contaminated land projects
Talk to iEnvi if you need a clearer environmental position, a tighter scope or a more practical next step on this issue.
Common Questions
How much does a contaminated land investigation cost?
Costs depend on the scope, site size, and type of investigation. A desktop Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) for a standard residential lot typically starts from around $3,000–$5,000. A Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) with soil and groundwater sampling is usually $8,000–$25,000 depending on the number of samples and laboratory requirements. Complex industrial sites or multi-phase programmes can be significantly higher. We scope each project individually and provide a fixed-fee proposal before any work begins.
When does council require a contaminated land assessment?
Councils typically require a contaminated land assessment when a development application involves a change of use, subdivision, or redevelopment of land that has a history of potentially contaminating activities. This includes former service stations, industrial sites, agricultural land, and land on or near a contaminated land register. Requirements vary by state—in Queensland it is triggered by the Environmental Management Register (EMR) or Contaminated Land Register (CLR); in NSW by SEPP (Resilience and Hazards) 2021; in Victoria by the EPA environmental audit system.
What is the difference between a PSI and a DSI?
A Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) is a desktop study and site walkover that reviews site history, identifies potential contamination sources, and determines whether intrusive investigation is needed. A Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) involves physical soil and groundwater sampling to confirm whether contamination is present, define its extent, and assess risk. A PSI is usually done first; a DSI follows if the PSI identifies potential concerns.
What happens if contamination is found on my site?
If contamination is found, the next steps depend on the type, concentration, and location of contamination relative to the intended land use. Options include risk assessment to determine whether concentrations pose an actual risk, remediation (excavation, treatment, or containment), ongoing management through an Environmental Management Plan (EMP), or a combination. We help clients understand the practical implications, costs, and regulatory expectations before committing to a path forward.