YOUR SITE NEEDS TO BE REMEDIATED
Buildings come in all shapes and sizes and with it they come with their own set of problems that may arise over time. This is when you need to consider if your site needs to be remediated. Remedial builders can step in when a building is in dire need of repair or reinforcement of the structure.
What does remediation exactly mean?
There are various types of builders and one area of specialization is a remedial builder who will review the aesthetics of your building’s structure and help find a solution.
More than ever environmental project management is becoming increasingly important as due to past neglect, through various spills and accidents many sites throughout Australia are unusable and can be an environmental danger to local residents including flora and fauna.
Once you engage an environmental builder they will be able to transform these areas where no threat is posed to homeowners, local councils, investors and the industry. They will be able to diagnose the issue and its cause and then hire the appropriate personnel to repair the issue and have the building in perfect legal standing order.
There are various sites that will be in need of remediation and they will include sites that have been affected by natural disasters such as flood water contamination or subsidence. Widely throughout Australia the problem mainly lies in asbestos contamination resulting from demolishing older buildings. This is widespread throughout.
If the building is sinking the remedial builder will need to identify if it is the saturation of the ground that is the cause. The remedial builder will engage a plumber to analyse and execute all the necessary steps to have the situation rectified.
There are also sites that have bio-‐hazards such as various pathological waste from hospitals, sewage and mould is always an issue. Owners are encouraged by Property Managers to ensure their property is free from mould when renting the premises out to tenants and environmental scientists are encouraged to provide reports once engaged via tenants complaining or Property Managers picking it up upon their inspections. Chemical run off from factories and other sources is also an issue. Oil spills either from damaged refineries or pipelines at sea are things that require remediation. A remediation builder will be able to come to the rescue and they are a necessity in such situations.
Apart from making these areas once again economically viable, site remediation can also be part of due diligence assessments when either trying to sell a site or buy one. Having this report will reflect the sale price on a site as they take into account the feasibility study, ecological risk assessments and other regulatory processes required for a site to be permitted to have a building erected.
Local authorities can step in if a site contaminated has been neglected and this can involve hefty fines. Development permits can be withheld or the building can be withdrawn unless environmental issues are rectified.
Effective project management is necessary and a thorough understanding of engineering, chemistry and physical sciences is required.
Usually there are four steps that the remedial builder will consider:
What is wrong with the site?
A remediation builder will assess the site and determine its existing state and what needs to happen. This can involve gathering information regarding its history, geology and hydrogeology.
Remedial builders will enhance the structural integrity and the internal structure of a building. They can enhance waterproofing to prevent further ingress.
Aerial photography will prove useful gathering information as to the exact area the remediation work will need to be completed. Along with the physical aspects legal implications both regional and federal will also need to be reviewed.
Gathering all relevant data means that environmental projects management plans can be devised and begin.
Strategy needs to be put in place
Once all the site assessments are completed then an appropriate strategy can be put into place taking into account short term and long-‐term measures, as this will be an ongoing process as new information presents itself.
It really all comes down to the scope of the project. This could involve speaking with local or Federal Government, various experts as well as people living in the area. Physically this could involve measuring volumes of various contaminants and such factors as the flow of groundwater.
This whole strategy will definitely involve an estimate of the time that it will take to complete the remediation project as well as the budget involved.
Documentation Compiled
When the strategy is being developed documentation is produced. This creates a solid record for any future disputes. These documents allow stakeholders such as landlords, investors and tenants to make informed business decisions and have a clear understanding of what is going to be done or what actually has been completed. This is a permanent record for all individuals involved when it comes to purchasing a site or selling one.
Time to Remediate and ongoing monitoring
Remediation and mitigation is the most intensive part of the operation and it includes factors such as post project monitoring for factors such as the presence of contaminants. Site monitoring before and after the project is remediated is crucial. Monitoring weather changes that include heavy rains, extensive dry spells release hidden contaminants that need to be taken into account and carefully removed so that the site is ready for construction. Human safety is of paramount concern in the process of remediation.
When remediation has been completed it is only at that point that the owner can redevelop. No action is permitted until legal or liability issues are completely resolved. This means no workers can go on site and begin works.
Environmental Management requires only professionals
This is why when you choose a remediation builder they will need to be experienced and professional in their application hiring only the best in the business. Remediation has profound environmental and legal implications.
The builders need to have the appropriate equipment. If it is an asbestos site if appropriate equipment is not worn down the track serious health issues will arise. Floodwaters carry dangerous bacteria to corrosive chemicals or pesticides. Mould will affect the children and elderly and this is why now more so you are finding environmental experts are called in if mould is present in a building. Reports are compiled for landlords to protect tenants against any health risks down the track. A remediation builder will uncover and resolve these health hazards before construction begins.
This is why Makka constructions can provide professional site remediation services and environmental project management of your site. We will always source any environmental agents with extensive experience. Our technical expertise along with our specialized equipment will be able to handle various remediation tasks.