As Australia’s construction and property sectors continue to redevelop former industrial, commercial and infrastructure sites, one environmental issue is attracting increasing attention from regulators, developers and project teams: PFAS contamination.
Once largely unknown outside environmental and scientific circles, PFAS has become one of the most significant contaminated land challenges facing development projects across Australia.
For developers, asset owners, government agencies and contractors, PFAS contamination can create substantial financial, regulatory and programme risks. In some cases, contamination issues identified late in a project can delay approvals, increase remediation costs and significantly impact project viability.
Understanding PFAS and its potential implications is becoming an essential part of due diligence for anyone involved in property development, infrastructure projects or brownfield site redevelopment.
What Is PFAS?
PFAS stands for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, a large group of manufactured chemicals that have been widely used around the world since the 1950s.
These chemicals were valued for their resistance to heat, water, oil and chemicals, leading to widespread use in products such as:
- Firefighting foams
- Industrial manufacturing processes
- Aviation facilities
- Defence sites
- Airports
- Chemical storage facilities
- Landfills
- Waste processing facilities
- Metal plating operations
- Industrial plants
The challenge with PFAS is that these compounds do not easily break down in the environment.
As a result, PFAS contamination can remain present in soil, groundwater, surface water and sediments for decades after the original source has been removed.
This persistence has earned PFAS the nickname “forever chemicals.”
Why PFAS Is Becoming a Major Issue
Historically, many development sites were assessed for contaminants such as asbestos, hydrocarbons, lead, heavy metals and chemical residues.
Today, environmental investigations increasingly include PFAS assessments due to evolving regulatory requirements and growing awareness of potential environmental and health risks.
Regulators across Australia have increased their focus on PFAS contamination because of its potential to:
- Impact groundwater systems
- Affect surrounding ecosystems
- Contaminate waterways
- Create long-term environmental liabilities
- Increase remediation obligations
- Restrict future land use
As more sites undergo environmental assessment, PFAS contamination is being identified in locations where it was previously unknown or uninvestigated.
Which Development Sites Are Most at Risk?
PFAS contamination can occur in a wide range of environments, but certain site types present a higher likelihood of contamination.
These include:
Former Industrial Facilities
Industrial sites often utilised chemicals and manufacturing processes that may have contained PFAS compounds.
Common examples include:
- Manufacturing plants
- Chemical processing facilities
- Metal treatment facilities
- Warehousing operations
Airports and Aviation Facilities
Firefighting foams containing PFAS were historically used extensively during training exercises and emergency response activities.
Many airports and aviation-related facilities are now subject to ongoing environmental investigations.
Defence and Government Sites
Defence facilities across Australia have been the focus of significant PFAS investigations over recent years due to historic firefighting foam use.
Many former defence sites now require detailed environmental assessment before redevelopment can occur.
Waste Facilities and Landfills
PFAS compounds may enter landfill environments through the disposal of contaminated products and materials.
As redevelopment of former waste facilities becomes more common, environmental assessments increasingly include PFAS investigations.
Transport and Infrastructure Corridors
Rail yards, maintenance depots, workshops and transport facilities may also present contamination risks depending on their historical operations.
The Financial Impact on Development Projects
One of the biggest challenges associated with PFAS contamination is the potential impact on project costs.
Unlike some traditional contaminants, PFAS contamination often requires specialised investigation, management and disposal processes.
This can affect:
Site Investigation Costs
Additional environmental investigations may be required to:
- Determine contamination extent
- Assess groundwater impacts
- Establish contamination pathways
- Identify remediation requirements
These investigations can significantly increase pre-construction costs.
Waste Classification and Disposal
Contaminated materials may require specialised transport and disposal arrangements.
This often results in:
- Increased disposal fees
- Additional environmental monitoring
- Higher transport costs
- Extended project timeframes
Remediation Costs
Depending on contamination levels, remediation works may involve:
- Excavation and removal
- Soil treatment
- Groundwater management
- Environmental monitoring
- Validation testing
These activities can represent a substantial portion of overall project expenditure.
Programme Delays and Approval Challenges
The cost of PFAS contamination extends beyond remediation budgets.
Many projects experience delays due to:
- Additional environmental investigations
- Regulatory review processes
- Remediation planning requirements
- Validation testing programs
- Stakeholder consultation
Where contamination is identified late in project planning, development approvals and construction programmes can be significantly affected.
For developers operating under strict commercial deadlines, these delays can create substantial financial consequences.
Why Early Site Investigation Matters
The most effective way to manage PFAS risk is through early identification.
Environmental due diligence should be undertaken before:
- Property acquisition
- Development approvals
- Design finalisation
- Construction procurement
Early investigations provide project teams with a clearer understanding of:
- Environmental liabilities
- Remediation requirements
- Budget implications
- Programme impacts
- Regulatory obligations
This allows informed decisions to be made before significant project commitments occur.
Developers who identify contamination risks early are generally better positioned to manage costs and maintain project certainty.
The Growing Importance of Brownfield Redevelopment
Across Australia, increasing pressure on land supply is driving greater levels of brownfield redevelopment.
Former industrial and commercial sites are being transformed into:
- Residential developments
- Logistics facilities
- Commercial precincts
- Mixed-use developments
- Community infrastructure
While these sites often provide valuable development opportunities, they also present increased environmental risk.
PFAS contamination is becoming one of the key considerations during site acquisition and feasibility assessments.
As redevelopment activity continues to increase, the importance of environmental planning and remediation expertise will continue to grow.
The Role of Specialist Remediation Contractors
Managing PFAS contamination requires a coordinated approach involving environmental consultants, regulators, developers and specialist contractors.
Experienced remediation contractors can assist with:
- Site preparation
- Contaminated material management
- Excavation works
- Environmental controls
- Validation support
- Regulatory compliance
Their involvement helps ensure remediation works are completed safely, efficiently and in accordance with project requirements.
Engaging experienced contractors early in project planning can help reduce uncertainty and support more accurate project budgeting.
What Developers Should Be Asking
Before purchasing or redeveloping a site, developers should consider:
- Has a comprehensive environmental assessment been completed?
- Does the site’s history indicate potential PFAS use?
- Are groundwater investigations required?
- What remediation obligations may apply?
- How could contamination impact future development approvals?
- What are the potential programme implications?
Asking these questions early can help avoid significant surprises later in the project lifecycle.
Looking Ahead
PFAS contamination is likely to remain one of the most significant environmental issues affecting Australian development projects for years to come.
As regulatory frameworks continue to evolve and awareness increases, project teams will face greater expectations around environmental due diligence and contamination management.
For developers, asset owners and contractors, understanding PFAS risks is becoming an essential component of successful project delivery.
The projects that achieve the best outcomes will be those that identify environmental challenges early, engage experienced specialists and incorporate remediation planning into the broader development strategy from day one.
Perfect Contracting acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Isander people as Traditional Custodians of the country on which we live and work. We pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians and Elders past, present and future, and honour their connection to the land and ongoing contribution to society.