Urban Redevelopment and the Hidden Risks of Contaminated Soil
Contaminated soils containing PFAS, asbestos and clinical waste are increasingly being discovered during excavation works across Australia’s growing cities, creating new challenges for construction, remediation and environmental management.
As Australia’s capital cities continue to expand, redevelopment and infrastructure projects are increasingly uncovering contaminated soils beneath former industrial sites, former landfills and legacy land uses. During excavation works, materials that appear to be ordinary soil can reveal previously unidentified contamination that requires specialised classification, handling and contaminated soil management and disposal.
Unexpected contamination discovered during excavation can quickly turn ordinary soils into regulated waste streams requiring specialist handling and disposal.
Among the growing concerns is PFAS contamination. These substances, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are highly persistent and can remain in soil and groundwater for decades. Recent investigations and parliamentary inquiries into PFAS contamination in NSW have highlighted the challenges associated with identifying and managing PFAS contamination in water catchments and surrounding environments.
PFAS compounds, widely associated with firefighting foams used at airports and defence sites, industrial manufacturing and certain commercial operations, are increasingly being identified during contaminated land investigations and excavation works associated with redevelopment.
Image: Redevelopment at Rhodes revealed legacy contamination from historic chemical manufacturing.
At the same time, legacy contaminants such as asbestos remain common across older industrial and construction sites. In recent years, asbestos contamination discovered during excavation works on major infrastructure projects has triggered regulatory investigations and complex remediation requirements.
Disturbing asbestos-contaminated soils during excavation can release hazardous fibres, which must be carefully controlled and transported to licensed disposal facilities in accordance with regulatory requirements.
In some cases, excavation activities can also uncover unexpected waste streams including buried clinical waste such as syringes or other medical sharps. These materials require immediate segregation and must be directed to approved treatment facilities to ensure safe handling, worker protection and regulatory compliance.
Across Australia, state Environment Protection Authorities (EPAs) are placing greater emphasis on the proper classification, transport and treatment of contaminated soils. These materials are often uncovered during excavation works on construction and infrastructure sites, where previously unknown contamination can emerge as ground is disturbed. With major infrastructure and urban renewal projects continuing in many cities, the discovery and management of soils impacted by contaminants such as PFAS, asbestos and other hazardous materials is becoming an increasingly common challenge for developers, contractors and environmental consultants.
As urban development continues, ensuring contaminated soils are safely identified, transported and directed to licensed treatment or disposal facilities is becoming an essential part of responsible growth and environmental protection. As a result, developers and environmental consultants are increasingly seeking specialist partners to help manage these regulated waste streams.
