From Contamination to Compliance: Managing Soil Remediation in WA Redevelopment Projects
Identifying and managing soil contamination early is one of the most effective ways to keep redevelopment projects on schedule and within budget. Through proper site investigations, planning approvals, and remediation strategies, most risks can be controlled long before construction begins.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how soil contamination is managed in Western Australia, from early assessment and regulatory compliance through to remediation and validation.
While most risks can be mitigated with the right process, we’ll also look at what happens when unexpected contamination is uncovered during redevelopment, and how professional soil remediation contractors like Focus Demolition can help you resolve contamination issues quickly, safely, and in full compliance.
Understanding Contaminated Land Regulations in WA
In Western Australia, contaminated land is regulated under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003, which is administered by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER). The Act adopts the national Assessment of Site Contamination (NEPM) standards, which guide how sites are investigated, classified, and remediated.
The type of contamination present determines which regulations apply and what remediation measures are required. Common contaminants found on redevelopment sites include:
- Asbestos from old buildings or insulation materials.
- Petroleum hydrocarbons from underground storage tanks or spills.
- Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, or arsenic from industrial activity.
- Solvents and pesticides from historic agricultural or manufacturing use.
Each of these materials is managed differently under WA’s regulatory framework. For example, asbestos removal from soil is regulated under WA Health guidelines, while hydrocarbon and metal contamination is assessed using NEPM standards overseen by DWER.
While the relevant information is available across several government sources, Western Australia’s contaminated land regulations can be complex and time-consuming to interpret. This is why most developers choose to work with dedicated environmental consultants to assess and advise on contaminated sites in line with these regulations.
At Focus Demolition, we regularly collaborate with environmental consultants to safely manage and remove contaminated soil, ensuring your site meets WA’s compliance standards and your project stays on track. Our site remediation services are certified to the Environmental Management System ISO 14001:2015, reflecting our commitment to safe, sustainable, and compliant remediation practices.
How Contaminated Land Is Managed in WA
In practice, contaminated land in Western Australia follows a defined management process under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003.
Suspected or known sites must be reported to DWER, which classifies them based on risk and intended land use. Environmental consultants then conduct investigations and prepare remediation plans following NEPM standards. Once remediation is complete, validation sampling and, where required, an accredited auditor’s report confirm that the site meets health and environmental criteria. DWER can then reclassify or clear the site, allowing redevelopment to proceed.
Focus Demolition typically becomes involved once contamination has been confirmed. By working closely with environmental consultants and project teams, we plan and deliver safe, compliant site remediation, removing or treating contaminated soil, coordinating waste transport and disposal, and maintaining the documentation required for final validation and site clearance.
This collaborative approach helps developers manage their DWER obligations efficiently, while keeping schedules, budgets, and site safety tightly controlled.
Tips for Managing Contamination During Redevelopment
Having worked alongside developers, builders, and environmental consultants across a wide range of site remediation projects, our team has seen first-hand how contamination risk plays out once works begin. The biggest challenges rarely come from the contamination itself, but from how timing, logistics, and site coordination are managed across teams.
Below are practical lessons drawn from that experience – and actionable ways to keep your redevelopment on track.
- Engage your remediation contractor early
Early engagement prevents design and scheduling conflicts once remediation begins. Bringing a contractor like Focus Demolition into early project delivery ensures that soil movement, waste classification, and safety requirements are built into your construction program, not treated as an afterthought. - Keep communication continuous
Environmental consultants, builders, and remediation teams each manage different parts of the process. Regular coordination meetings between these groups prevent gaps between testing, approvals, and on-site removal. Our team frequently works alongside consultants to ensure regulatory, environmental, and safety expectations are met without delay. - Plan disposal logistics ahead of time
Delays often occur not from contamination itself but from bottlenecks in waste transport or disposal approvals. Confirming transport licences, disposal-site capacity, and documentation early helps avoid stoppages. Focus Demolition manages this end-to-end, coordinating disposal pathways and compliance records under strict environmental controls. - Prioritise documentation and traceability
Maintaining a single record of investigations, remediation actions, and disposal certificates supports both DWER compliance and project handover. Our teams work to ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standards, ensuring every stage of soil handling and disposal is documented and auditable. - Allow for some flexibility
Even on well-assessed sites, unexpected contamination can appear once excavation begins. Having a remediation partner like Focus Demolition ready to respond ensures that discoveries are handled quickly and safely, minimising downtime and keeping your project compliant.
Keep Your Redevelopment on Track
Every redevelopment project faces unique site conditions, timelines, and regulatory requirements. The key to managing contaminated land successfully is building strong collaboration between consultants, contractors, and remediation specialists from the outset.
At Focus Demolition, we help project teams bridge the gap between planning and delivery. Our experienced crews work to environmental consultant specifications, ensuring remediation aligns with DWER and WA Health guidelines. We coordinate soil removal, waste tracking, and validation reporting so your project can progress safely and on schedule.
Once remediation is complete, validation sampling and final documentation confirm that the site meets DWER clearance standards. Our team supports this process by maintaining accurate waste records, disposal certificates, and traceable data to back your validation report.
By managing remediation efficiently and transparently, Focus Demolition helps minimise downtime and reduce compliance risks, ensuring your redevelopment moves forward with confidence.
If soil contamination has been identified on your site, or if you’re preparing for site works and want assurance your plan meets WA compliance standards, contact Focus Demolition.
Our team combines safe, certified remediation with practical site experience to keep your project compliant, efficient, and ready for redevelopment.
