SEPP55 Preliminary Site Investigation

SEPP55 Preliminary Site Investigations and Detailed Site Investigation for Contamination – you never know what you may find – or be purchasing.

When undertaking Preliminary Site Investigations (PSI) and Detailed Site Investigations (DSI) in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, (or any older industrial area) you never know exactly what you may find when you attend a site.  A recent Detailed Site Investigation in the Ryde Local Government Area (Rydalmere) in Sydney detected large quantities of Asbestos sheeting buried under the concrete slab in an industrial building of 1960’s vintage.  It appeared that the Asbestos was laid out before the slab was laid as Asbestos was found directly below the slab as shown in the photo below. Asbestos is commonly found when understanding assessments and buried asbestos is a real concern when purchasing a property. Purchase of older industrial or former industrial properties or farms can be a particular risk and it is extremely important purchasers of such properties undertake a high level of Due Diligence. We have found high levels of buried Asbestos on a farm for which there were no previous records or evidence which resulted in the new owner incurring an expensive clean-up of the site as part of the redevelopment of the site. As clean-up costs can very quickly run into hundreds of thousands of dollars, (the clean-up described above came to nearly a million dollars), it is very important not to purchase a property which is a liability.  For at least the last 20 years in North America banks have not provided loans to customers purchasing properties such as these without a contamination report which indicates that the property is unlikely to have contamination. Australian banks in the last few years have been starting to request these assessments be undertaken for properties which are high risk such as former petrol stations and dry cleaners. It is best to undertake your own enquiries and assessments even if you are a cash purchaser or the lender is not requesting a contamination report.

Why not give us a call when purchasing a property to assist you with following a sound Due Diligence process in order to fully consider the risks of potential contamination.

Visible Asbestos Pieces found under a concrete slab of a 1960’s industrial building in Rydalmere, Sydney NSW

 

What is a Certified Practicing Ecological Consultant ?

This is a Ecological Consultant who undertakes work in  NSW and is accredited under the scheme by the Ecological Consultants Association of NSW.  This accreditation scheme has been developed in consultation with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.  Members who are accredited Ecological Consultants must have at least 5 years full time Ecological Consulting experience in the last 5 years.  Consultants generally have much more than this and as part of the accreditation process consultants have to demonstrate their experience and adherence to the code of ethics.  Applications are reviewed by a panel and professional development is a condition of continuing practice accreditation.

So whether you require a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report, 5 part or 7 part test, or any other flora or fauna or ecological assessment, choosing a CPEC provides you with a highly qualified professional for your Ecological Assessment.

With a CPEC in our practice with full time experience since 1992 why not give us a call for your next Ecological Assessment.  As Environmental Consultants based in Sydney we cover all areas of NSW. We are also accredited assessors under the accreditation scheme by the NSW Government for implementation of the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme under the Biodiversity Conservation Act which came into force in August 2017.

NEWS – Biodiversity Offsets Scheme

Western Sydney interim designated areas to be extended for 12 months

The following western Sydney local government areas have been declared as Interim Designated Areas (IDAs) for a further 12 months: Camden, City of Campbelltown, City of Fairfield, City of Hawkesbury, City of Liverpool, City of Penrith and Wollondilly. An amendment to the Biodiversity Conservation (Savings and Transitional) Regulation 2017 is being progressed to defer commencement of the biodiversity offsets scheme for local development in these local government areas until 25 November 2019.

The relevant Councils have been advised and provided with some information addressing common questions around assessment and offsetting processes for development applications in an IDA.

Biodiversity offsets scheme commencing for local development for former IDA areas

On 25 November 2018, the biodiversity offsets scheme will commence for local development in the Cessnock, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Central Coast and Coffs Harbour local government areas, and in the West Dapto Urban Release Area in the Wollongong local government area.

The biodiversity impacts of new development applications (or modifications) submitted from 25 November 2018 in these areas will be assessed in accordance with the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2017.

So What Does this Mean for our Clients

If you are located in one of the Interim Designated Areas you can still lodge under the old legislative requirements for your Flora and Fauna Reports including the 7 Part Test of Significance.  If you are in an area where the Biodiversity Offsets Scheme is already in place or is commencing you will be required to determine if you are having a significant impact through the 5-part test of significance and whether you require a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report for offsetting.

As certified assessors we are here to assist our clients with sound advice to achieve their project objectives.

As experienced Sydney based Environmental Consultants we also offer a range of other services includingVegetation Management Plans, Bushland Regeneration, Contamination Assessments (SEPP 55), and Effluent Disposal Reports.  These types of assessments are generally required for most developments and as such when contacting our company you have one point of contact to provide professional advice and services for many of the assessments you will require.

Give us a call today to discuss your project on 1300 320 507.

Bushland Regeneration Sydney – by Anderson Environmental Pty Ltd

Anderson Environmental Pty Ltd undertake a range of Vegetation Management Plans – Sydney and Bush Regeneration – Sydney.  The attached video shows a recent project at Kellyville (The Hills Shire Council Local Government Area) which was undertaken as part of a residential development subdivision.  The Vegetation Management Plan was written by Anderson Environmental Pty Ltd for this housing development and Anderson Environmental Pty Ltd also undertook the Bush Regeneration and Vegetation Management on the site.  Fauna habitat supplementation and restoration was also undertaken as this is a critical part of the management and restoration of any functional ecosystem.  We have been involved in Ecosystem Restoration and Bushland Regeneration since 1992 and are proud of our accomplishments in restoring habitat to offset impacts from developments.  This project involved the restoration of an area to join up areas of bushland to increase its viability and integrity and to make it a larger functional patch of vegetation.  The project also involved the stabilisation of a batter adjoining a subdivision road and the planting of this batter with native species endemic to the adjoining bushland.  This batter area however had to be planted to enable it conform to part of the asset protection zone and as such it had to have a reduced fuel loading.  The use of native species for such a batter stabilisation provides habitat for fauna and also a buffer to the adjoining bushland to protect it from edge impacts whilst also performing the function of slope stability erosion control.  As Sydney Environmental Consultants we undertake a range of services for our clients which integrate together functionally to manage the potential conflicts of development.  Our services range from Flora and Fauna Reports, Effluent Reports, Vegetation Management Plans, Contamination Reports, Bushland Regeneration, Bushfire Report and reports to comply with the new Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (Biodiversity Development Assessment Reports and the new 5 part-test – Section 7.3 Biodiversity Conservation Act).

Please give us a call to discuss your next project or next potential land purchase to obtain advice on any or all of the above services.