Contaminated land investigations and sampling

Contaminated Land

Contaminated land investigation is a technically complex discipline and our team includes highly trained and experienced staff who are Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) for undertaking contaminated land investigations. The Environmental Protection Act 1994 requires that contaminated land investigations are undertaken by a SQP in accordance with the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 2013 (NEPM).

Highly experienced and a proven track record

We have a long successful history of undertaking contaminated land investigations for sites ranging from small underground fuel tanks and cattle dip sites through to large industrial complexes and mine sites. Our high level skills in this area include site investigations, remediation, validation, removing land from the Environmental Management Register (EMR) and preparing Site Management Plans (SMP).

We are here to help you navigate the process

We also provide contaminated land services to clients during property transactions. This includes during the sale or purchase of a property or in relation to leasing. We undertake contaminated due diligence investigations for clients so they understand the contamination liability or risk they may be accepting when buying or leasing land. We appoint our SQPs in both field and reporting tasks on our contaminated land projects.

This ensures you have a highly experienced person on site to identify any contamination that can not be identified in a desktop assessment and answer any questions that may arise as part of the on site assessment and sampling process. Our experienced team member accessibility and transparency throughout this process awards us many repeat clients and property investors.

Emergency on call services

Another area of our expertise is assessing and managing contamination of land and water at sites following an environmental incident or emergency such as a large spill from a truck rollover or tank rupture.

Services

Preliminary Site Investigation
Detailed Site Investigation
Due Diligence
Soil Testing
Surface Water Sampling
Groundwater Sampling
Soil Vapour Monitoring
Human Health Risk Assessment (Tier 1 and Tier 2)
Ecological Risk Assessment (Tier 1 and Tier 2)

Remediation Action Plans
Validation Testing
Site Management Plans
Site Suitability Statement
Soil Disposal Permits
Removal of land from Environmental Management Register (EMR) or Contaminated Land Register (CLR)
Environmental Incident and Emergency Response

FAQs

If my property is listed on the Environmental Management Register (EMR) does that mean it is contaminated and I need to clean it up?

Not all land listed on the EMR is contaminated or requires clean up. Land can be listed on the EMR if it is known to be contaminated by a hazardous contaminant such as lead or asbestos, or if it was used for a high risk land use called a Notifiable Activity. Read more
Can you sell or buy land that is listed on the Environmental Management Register (EMR)?

Yes, you can buy or sell land that is listed on the EMR. However, be aware that the law requires the seller to provide written notification to the buyer that the land is on the EMR. Read More
Can I develop land that is on the Environmental Management Register (EMR)?

Yes, you can develop land that is on the EMR even if it is contaminated. There are planning laws in Queensland to ensure that developments on contaminated land are safe. Read more
Can I remove my property from the Environmental Management Register (EMR)?

Yes, you can apply to the Department of Environment and Science (DES) to have land removed from the EMR. For land to be removed from the EMR it needs to be suitable for the most sensitive land use (e.g. a residential dwelling or childcare centre). Read more
What does a contaminated land investigation involve?

In Queensland, contaminated land investigations are required by law to be undertaken by a Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) in accordance with the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 2013 (NEPM). Read more
Can I remove soil from my property if it is on the Environmental Management Register (EMR)?

Yes, you can remove soil from land that is listed on the EMR but laws are in place to manage this process. Read more

Project Highlights

EMR Removal

Range Environmental investigated, remediated and validated a site in Toowoomba to a condition that was consistent with the policy criteria for removing the site from the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science’s (DES) Environmental Management Register (EMR). Following review by a Contaminated Land Auditor (CLA) and submission to the DES, the site was successfully removed from the EMR.
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Thomas Dixon Centre Redevelopment

Range Environmental provided contaminated land services for the redevelopment at the Thomas Dixon Centre on Montague Road, West End. The factory was refurbished in 1991 and repurposed as a centre for dance and arts for Queensland Ballet and the Queensland Dance School of Excellence. The objective of the remediation and validation program was to make the site suitable for removal from the EMR
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Regional Pre Purchase Due Dilligence

Range Environmental Consultants completed a pre-purchase due diligence investigation for a site located in the regional town of Thallon. Despite being listed on the DES’ EMR, the investigation determined that the site presented a low contamination risk for the proposed land use.
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Amendment to Site Management Plan

Range Environmental Consultants investigated a site in Hemmant and demonstrated that prescribed management measures included in a Site-based Management Plan (SMP) held across the site by DES could be amended to be more commensurate with the level of risk presented by contamination at the site.
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Emergency Response to Diesel Spill

Range Environmental Consultants provided an emergency response to a diesel spill west of Toowoomba. Approximately 9,000L of diesel was released to ground from a rollover of a fuel truck and tanker trailer
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PFAS Contaminated Land Assessment at Oakey

Range Environmental undertook a contaminated land investigation for a property near the Oakey Army Aviation Centre (AACO). The AACO was identified by the Department of Defence as a source of environmental contamination in Oakey area by per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Therefore, PFAS was a key contaminant of concern at the site due to close proximity to the AACO and the stormwater drain.
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