Environmental Services

Pre-purchase or due diligence assessment is essential to better understand the viability of a development by identifying potential contamination or other constraints that may influence the site suitability for development. Environmental constraints may include contamination of soil or groundwater, presence of hazardous materials such asbestos, Acid Sulfate Soils/Salinity, underground fuel storage tanks, presence of rock, or shallow groundwater.

Our environmental assessment can include desktop review of site history and land historic land use to determine onsite investigation to identify potential constraints or environmental liabilities.

We specialize in providing Preliminary and Detailed Environmental Site Assessments. Our ESA services are designed to identify potential environmental hazards, assess risks, and provide you with valuable insights for informed decision-making.

Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA) : Is the first step in understanding a property's environmental history. This phase includes:

Historical Research: A review of the property’s past uses and any potential contamination sources.

Site Inspection: A thorough visual inspection to identify any signs of contamination or hazardous materials.

Report : A detailed report outlining findings, potential concerns, and recommendations for further investigation if necessary.

Detailed Environmental Site Assessment (Phase II ESA): If the Phase I ESA identifies potential environmental risks, a Detailed Environmental Site Assessment (Phase II ESA) is conducted. This phase involves:

Soil and Groundwater Sampling: Collection and analysis of soil and/or groundwater samples to assess contamination levels.

Laboratory Testing: Comprehensive testing of collected samples to identify contaminants of concern.

Report : Detailed analysis of the contamination risks, including potential impacts on human health and the environment. If contamination is confirmed, we provide recommendations for remediation and risk management.iption goes here

Saline soils and acid sulfate soils can affect human and environmental health and also impact durability of construction components.

St. Quentin Consulting can complete salinity assessment and acid sulfate assessment in Coastal Acid Sulfate (CASS) areas and Salinity Management Overlay (SMO) areas to confirm risk through detailed study and appropriate laboratory testing.

Groundwater contamination assessment involves a detailed investigation to determine the presence and extent of pollutants in underground water sources.

In cases of significant contamination, the assessment helps determine the most appropriate actions, such as treatment options or ongoing monitoring plans, to reduce environmental and health risks.

We provide reliable, accurate, and comprehensive solutions to mitigate risks and provide actions for protection and remediation.

In accordance with the Victorian EPA's "Best Practice Environmental Management – Sitting, Design, Operation, and Rehabilitation of Landfills" (Landfill BEPM) guidelines, all buildings and structures located within 500 meters of a closed municipal (putrescible) landfill are considered to be within the recommended landfill buffer zone. Any proposed developments in these areas may present a safety risk, as they could create potential pathways for the migration of landfill gas.

At St Quentin, we have extensive expertise in assessing landfill gas risks and have successfully completed numerous assessments in the region.

At St Quentin, we provide expert waste classification services to ensure waste is correctly identified and managed in line with Australian Standards, National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure (NEPM) and EPA guidelines.

We offer comprehensive assessments, sampling, and reporting to determine the most appropriate disposal, treatment, or remediation methods.

Unused underground petroleum tanks/systems present a potential risk to human health and the environment. Where an underground tank has not been used for 2 years, it must be decommissoned in accordance with Australian Standard AS4976-2008, ”The removal and disposal of underground petroleum storage tanks”.

We have expertise in locating, testing and delineating potential contamination in and around an existing underground tank. We can provide specific advice and methodology in removing and remediating the tank location and surrounding site.

Land Capability Assessment (LCA) is essential to assess effluent treatment and disposal in non-sewered areas.

Our staff have over 25 years’ experience and can provide an LCA assessment for single land parcels, proposed sub-division commercial development, land scale residential development re-zoning and expert witness services.

We are leading experts and have completed assessment in Geelong, Surf Coast, Colac Otway, Golden Plains, Queenscliffe, Ballarat, Moorabool, Glenelg, Hepburn, Bendigo, Corangamite, Grampians, Pyrenees, Warrnambool,Gippsland, Bass Coast and Alpine Shire.

We have specific expertise in providing wastewater solutions for highly constrained sites, including steep landslide prone areas, small sites and commercial developments.