Contaminated Land Assessment (PSI)
If your site has any history of industrial, agricultural chemical or waste-related use, council will likely require a staged contamination assessment before development can proceed - starting with a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI), which escalates to a Detailed Site Investigation and a Remediation Action Plan only if contamination is actually confirmed. Most sites clear at the PSI stage. We scope the right starting point for your site's history rather than over-ordering the full staged process by default.
Free planning consultation
- 2–4 weeks for a PSI
- Quoted per site - typically from $5,000 + GST
- Quoted fixed after a free scope check
Why the staged approach saves most projects money
The framework is deliberately staged so most sites do not pay for a full detailed investigation unnecessarily - the Preliminary Site Investigation is the filter, and most residential and commercial sites without a flagged industrial history clear at that stage.
Source: State Environmental Planning Policy (Resilience and Hazards) 2021 (NSW), Chapter 4; Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 (NSW).
How it works
History and mapping review
1–3 days
Check whether the site sits in a declared investigation area or has a flagged prior use.
Preliminary Site Investigation
2–3 weeks
Desktop and site-based assessment of contamination potential from the site's history.
Escalation, if required
Additional 3–6 weeks if triggered
A Detailed Site Investigation and Remediation Action Plan are only commissioned if the PSI identifies likely contamination.
What we take off your hands
What EHUP handles
- Assessing whether your site's history actually warrants a contamination investigation
- Coordinating the Preliminary Site Investigation and interpreting the findings
- Managing escalation to a Detailed Site Investigation only where the PSI flags a genuine concern
- Coordinating a Remediation Action Plan if contamination is confirmed
What you don't have to deal with
- Commissioning a full detailed investigation when a PSI alone would have cleared the site
- A DA delayed because a site history flag was missed until council raised it
Frequently asked questions
Does every site need a contamination assessment?
No - it depends on the site's history. Council requires a Preliminary Site Investigation where land sits in a declared investigation area, or where the history suggests possible contamination (a former industrial, agricultural or waste-related use).
What happens if the PSI finds a problem?
A Detailed Site Investigation follows to characterise the extent of contamination, and if confirmed at unsuitable levels, a Remediation Action Plan is prepared setting out how the site will be made suitable for the proposed use.
How long does the staged process take if escalation is triggered?
A PSI alone typically takes 2-4 weeks. If a Detailed Site Investigation and Remediation Action Plan are triggered, add several more weeks - this is exactly why an early history check matters, so it does not surface as a surprise mid-DA.
Is this relevant for industrial sites specifically?
Industrial sites are the most likely to trigger a full staged assessment, given the higher likelihood of a genuine contamination history, but any site - including residential redevelopment of a former commercial lot - can trigger the same requirement.
Related approvals
Geotechnical Report
A geotechnical report tells you what is under your site and what that means for your footings, retaining walls and excavation.
Specialist Reports
Most applications of any size need reports from specialists outside town planning.
Acoustic Report
An acoustic report, also called a noise impact assessment, shows council that your project will not unreasonably disturb its neighbours, or that your building will be quiet enough inside for the people who will live or work there.
Access Report
An access report shows council and your certifier that people with disability can reach, enter and use your building.
Arborist Report
An arborist report assesses the health, significance and structural condition of trees on or near your site, and recommends which should be retained, removed or protected during construction.
Why clients choose EHUP
- 10+
- 250+
- 17
- 1
Not sure which approval you need?
Tell us the address and what you want to do. We'll help identify the appropriate planning pathway, whether it is exempt development, complying development or a full DA. Your first conversation is free.