Environmental Science

The introduction of the Resource Management (National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health) Regulations 2011 (NESCS) changed the way contaminated land in New Zealand is managed. The NESCS applies to any site where an activity on the Hazardous Activities or Industries List (HAIL) “has or is more likely than not to have, occurred”, and covers a number of activities onsite including:
• Change of land use, for example from production (farm) land to residential use
• Subdivisions
• Soil Disturbance and Soil Removal

Undertaking the above activities on sites where a HAIL activity has been identified, or is suspected, requires investigation of the site and potentially an application for contaminated land related consents and / or contamination management works.

As required by the NESCS legislation our contaminated land investigation and management works are led / undertaken by our Suitably Qualified and Experienced Practitioners (SQEP). Our lead consultant is a Certified Environmental Practitioner – Site Contamination Specialist (CEnvP – SC).

We need to know what changes are proposed to your site and if possible, the required scope of works. If you have any information on HAIL or potential HAIL activities this would be useful.

Preliminary site inspections (PSI) typically involve a desk study plus a site visit and inspection.  Ideally an interview of site owners and on site personnel would also occur during the desk study or site inspection phases.  If collection of samples is needed, it is usually undertaken using manual sampling techniques with trowels or hand augers; however machine excavation of test pits and/or machine boreholes may be needed depending on the size of the site, ground conditions and investigation goals.

This is entirely dependent on the type of HAIL activity.  However, experience across many sites indicates the most common contaminants encountered are heavy metals (for example arsenic and lead), petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organochlorine pesticides and asbestos.

This depends on the type of contamination that’s present, concentrations present, site use and potential exposure.  Ideally potential risks would be identified by undertaking investigations.  However, dependent on the available information, we are happy to talk through the likely risks and possible management options with you, with no obligation or initial consultation charges.  You can click on the below link to arrange a 30-minute session with our expert.

This means your site has been identified as having (verified) or ‘more likely than not having’ (unverified) an activity on the HAIL list that may have resulted in ground contamination.  This means the requirements of the NESCS legislation may apply to activities on the site.

A ‘Suitably Qualified and Experienced Practitioner’, is required under the NESCS legislation to certify contaminated land reports (PSI, DSI, Remediation Action Plans etc).  Our lead consultant is a SQEP and a Certified Environmental Practitioner Site Contamination Specialist (CEnvP – SC) with with over 25 years’ experience across a wide range of industries, contaminant types and contaminant mediums (soil, groundwater, sediment and vapour).

Our contaminated land team has significant experience in the investigation, remediation and management of asbestos contamination of soils and are qualified to do so.  We are not qualified asbestos removalists and so do not undertake building assessments, demolition surveys or directly supervise building demolition works.