Summary

A Dust suppression strategy outlines the controls, monitoring, and management actions used to minimise dust generation during construction, remediation, or earthworks activities. It helps protect human health, air quality, nearby receptors, and regulatory compliance across project sites in Australia.

Definition

A Dust suppression strategy is a site-specific plan that identifies dust risks and describes the mitigation measures, monitoring requirements, and response actions necessary to control dust emissions during construction, excavation, or remediation works. It ensures dust is managed in accordance with environmental regulations, workplace health and safety standards, and project approval conditions.

Why It Matters

Dust emissions are a major environmental and safety consideration for construction and remediation projects, particularly in urban, industrial, and sensitive locations.

Unmanaged dust can:

cause nuisance impacts for nearby communities

reduce air quality and increase health risks

affect visibility and site safety

mobilise contaminants on sites with historical contamination

trigger regulatory breaches, stop-work notices, or project delays

A well-designed Dust Suppression Strategy supports compliance with:

State-based environmental protection policies (e.g., NSW EPA, QLD DEPW, VIC EPA requirements)

Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation

conditions of consent under planning approvals or Environmental Management Plans (EMPs)

contaminated land and remediation guidance where particulate movement presents additional risk

By proactively managing dust, project teams reduce risk, maintain productivity, protect site workers and neighbours, and demonstrate environmental due diligence.

When It’s Required

A Dust Suppression Strategy is typically required when activities have the potential to generate airborne dust or particulate matter. Common scenarios include:

Construction and Earthworks

Bulk earthworks, excavation, road construction, trenching, and demolition frequently require dust control to manage risks to workers and nearby properties.

Contaminated Land Remediation

Where soil contains contaminants such as asbestos, heavy metals, or hydrocarbons, dust suppression becomes critical to limiting off-site movement and ensuring safe excavation and handling.

Dry, Windy, or High-Traffic Sites

Environmental conditions that increase dust lift—such as drought, exposed soils, or high vehicle activity—often trigger additional management requirements.

Projects Near Sensitive Receptors

Hospitals, schools, aged-care facilities, waterways, residential areas, or ecological sites may require enhanced dust control measures and continuous monitoring.

Regulatory or Approval Conditions

Dust management is commonly mandated in:

construction environmental management plans (CEMPs)

remediation action plans (RAPs)

development approvals (DAs)

licence conditions issued by environmental regulators

How We Can Help

Nova Group Pacific supports clients with technically sound, regulatory-aligned Dust Suppression Strategies tailored to site conditions, contaminants, and project requirements.

For tailored dust management support, contact our team to develop a compliant, effective Dust Suppression Strategy for your project.