Environmental Site Assessment

Summary

An Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) evaluates whether land is affected by contamination and identifies environmental risks that may impact development, acquisition, or ongoing use. It supports informed decision-making, regulatory compliance, and risk management across property and infrastructure projects.

Definition

An Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is a structured investigation of a site’s environmental condition, identifying potential or existing contamination and assessing risks to human health and the environment. ESAs are typically carried out in stages, with a focus on gathering historical information, conducting site inspections, and collecting soil, air, and water samples for analysis. In Australia, ESAs are a key step in meeting regulatory requirements before land development, sale, or change of use.

Why It Matters

An ESA provides the evidence base for decision-making in property transactions, redevelopment projects, and environmental compliance. It reduces the risk of unforeseen contamination issues, costly remediation works, and project delays. For developers and businesses, an ESA helps ensure regulatory approval, supports environmental due diligence, and maintains stakeholder confidence in the project’s environmental integrity.

When It’s Required

• Pre-Purchase Due Diligence: Before buying land, particularly with industrial or commercial history.

• Development Applications: Required by councils and regulators prior to construction approval.

• Compliance Audits: For ongoing operations with potential environmental impacts.

• Contamination Investigations: When site history or testing suggests potential contamination.

How We Can Help

Nova Group Pacific provides comprehensive Environmental Site Assessments aligned with Australian regulatory frameworks and industry best practice.

Contaminated Land Assessment, Management & Remediation

Delivery of Phase 1 and Phase 2 ESAs, including site history reviews, sampling programs, contamination delineation, risk assessment, and remediation pathway advice.

Environmental & Geotechnical Drilling Services

Intrusive investigations to collect soil, groundwater, and vapour samples required for detailed site characterisation and compliance reporting.

Groundwater & Surface Water Assessments

Assessment of groundwater quality, flow, and potential contaminant migration pathways associated with site contamination risks.

Environmental Due Diligence

Support for property acquisition, divestment, and financing through early identification of environmental liabilities and constraints.

Environmental Approvals & Planning

Provision of ESA reporting to support Development Applications, regulatory submissions, and approvals pathways.

‍Contact us to discuss your project and receive expert guidance tailored to your environmental, planning, and compliance obligations.

Related Terms and Concepts

• Contaminated Land‍
• Technical Due Diligence‍
• Site Remediation‍
• Hazardous Waste‍
• Geotechnical Investigation