Contaminated land

Overview

Land contamination and liabilities raise complex issues for landowners, prospective landowners and governments. Our Planning Government Infrastructure & Environment group is at the forefront of advising developers, builders, owners, consultants and other relevant parties on contaminated land management and remediation, including on emerging contaminants such as PFAS. 

We advise on legislative and contractual obligations, risk allocation, environmental site assessments, remediation action plans, and construction management plans. 

Legislation continues to strengthen and clarify obligations, and we regularly advise on:

• actions required to restore or rehabilitate environmental harm
• rights and obligations regarding contaminated land
• executive officer liability
• land contamination assessments
• communicating with local governments and State government agencies such as various Environment Protection Authorities
• grounds for environmental investigations
• notification, remediation and disposal of contaminated sites
• defending prosecutions for environmental offences. 

Our group also works closely with our Property & Development, Corporate & Commercial and Insurance (environmental liability) teams to provide clients with a breadth of service that covers all areas of contaminated land.