Asbestos Audits and Registers

SEMF has an acute awareness of the health and legal risks associated with asbestos and the need to take stringent measures to manage this potential threat. Our skilled environmental services staff employ meticulous procedures to ensure that audits and registers are completed to the highest standard.

At SEMF, our asbestos audits involve full building surveys to identify materials that potentially contain asbestos along with sampling and laboratory analysis. The laboratory results are then compiled in an asbestos register that highlights the risk level, the location of contaminated materials and the extent of contamination. This register also offers actionable management procedures that can be easily updated and tracked. We also offer ambient air monitoring services for the assessment of asbestos during its removal.

In addition to asbestos, we offer additional hazardous materials assessments including full site reviews for lead-based paint, PCBs and synthetic man-made fibres.

Biodiversity and Catchment Management   

At SEMF, we strive to minimise the ecological footprint of our clients and help them maintain a high level of responsiveness to potential environmental threats.

Biodiversity and catchment management play a key role in our environmental management offering and is part of our ongoing focus on the ecological impact of our projects. We conduct surveys for flora and fauna and special values on behalf of our clients and bring our expertise and innovative approach to the production of forest practice plans.

Catchment management is also a core capability at SEMF and we’ve developed a host of leading-edge practices in this area. Our core catchment management services include GIS mapping, groundwater monitoring and surface water monitoring along with the provision of geomorphological assessments. 

Contaminated Site Assessment and Remediation 

SEMF is an industry leader in the field of contaminated site assessment and remediation. Our skilled team of scientists and engineers provide clients with cost-effective, intelligent solutions that address the major risks of each site as well as the requirements of auditors and regulatory authorities. At SEMF, we have worked on a wide range of soil and groundwater remediation projects involving hydrocarbons, asbestos, biological contaminants and hazardous materials. Our expertise spans all phases of the assessment, remediation and validation process and we have the in-house skills and resources to conduct a range of contaminated site investigations and put the most appropriate remediation programs in place.

In the last few years, SEMF has also been heavily involved in due diligence monitoring of service station sites including the monitoring of groundwater wells and the collection of soil samples to prevent site contamination from potential leaks. If tanks are leaking or in need of decommissioning, we will project manage tank removal and validate the site. We also assist clients with the preparation of site histories and soil sampling and help them establish and manage landfarms. 

Dangerous goods and hazardous materials

Strict national and state regulations have made it essential for businesses to maintain exemplary standards when it comes to storing and handling hazardous goods, especially in the case of Major Hazard Facilities (MHF). SEMF works with clients to develop and maintain effective storage handling systems and processes so that dangerous goods and hazardous materials reflect regulatory requirements.

SEMF performs site assessments and reviews with respect to current dangerous and hazardous materials legislation and helps clients improve minor storage facilities by auditing sites against national safety standards. We also assess operational practices to facilitate ongoing compliance, co-ordinate internal workshops to review storage and handling systems and educate clients about emerging technologies. 

Decommissioning and Rehabilitation plans

SEMF has established a strong track record in the preparation of decommissioning and rehabilitation plans for clients across the building and property, manufacturing and resources industries. Our team of scientists and engineers develop innovative and cost-effective responses to the challenges that stem from  the decommissioning and rehabilitation process.

At SEMF, we adopt a risk management approach by identifying the priority environmental issues facing the industry to enable a staged assessment of the rehabilitation program.

We also prepare detailed cost estimates for the likely rehabilitation costs and liabilities associated with potential future closures. Our cost estimates encompass all aspects of the demolition and rehabilitation process including the dismantling of equipment and materials for resale, reuse or recycling, demolition of buildings and infrastructure, site contamination, reinstatement and rehabilitation.

Environmental Approvals

Acquiring relevant approvals for environmental projects can be a long and complicated process, requiring input from community, major stakeholders and regulatory bodies. SEMF understands the need to address the competing interests of these parties and strives to resolve this while obtaining approvals.

At SEMF, we have secured regulatory approvals for a range of clients across the mining, industrial, infrastructure and renewable energy industries. Our environmental approvals’ team includes highly experienced project managers and sub-consultants with specialist local knowledge, a combination that addresses specific environmental concerns while ensuring that standards and timeframes are maintained.

SEMF provides end-to-end management of the entire approvals process including negotiation with government regulators, recruitment of specialist sub-contractors and the preparation of documentation for project elements including noise, air, water, hazards, flora and fauna. We also establish and implement community consultation programs and co-ordinate approval documentation, plans and procedures.

Environmental Management Systems

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) play a pivotal role in helping businesses administer and organise environmental affairs. At SEMF, we understand the critical need for EMS that achieve the corporate responsibility aspirations and sustainability agendas of our clients. SEMF is highly experienced in all aspects of EMS preparation and has developed systems for a range of sites including landfills, power stations, milk processing plants and manufacturing plants.

SEMF also conducts hazard and risk assessments of environmental issues and their long-term effects and ensures that systems comply with environmental legislation while meeting long-term objectives and performance indicators. 

Environmental Management Plans

Environmental management plans (EMPs) are essential for ensuring that projects operate smoothly and cost-effectively and for informing stakeholders of their specific roles as well as potential contingency measures. SEMF has vast expertise in the area of environmental planning and prepares EMPs for noise, dust, flora and fauna as well as waste management, hazardous waste, water and weeds

SEMF also develops construction environmental management plans for projects including pipelines, roadworks, mines and building developments along with sewerage schemes and water supply projects.

At SEMF, we help clients implement their EMPs and create robust procedures for their implementation. We also work closely with them to design effective internal management systems to help mitigate future risk. 

Environmental Audits, Monitoring and Reporting 

SEMF recognises that environmental considerations should be integrated at the earliest stage of the project lifecycle and understands the place of audits, monitoring and reporting procedures in ensuring this.

We bring best practice methodology and technical expertise to the auditing process – qualities that have seen us successfully review major industrial and commercial developments as well as activities and procedures for state and local government. Additionally, we provide clients with environmental and engineering reviews including hazard and operability studies, building environmental assessments and reviews of contaminated sites.

At SEMF, we offer monitoring, sampling and analysis of data and documentation and fulfil the reporting requirements for the National Pollutant Inventory. We undertake these services through base line monitoring provided at the start of an operation or as part of the ongoing compliance.

We also assist with the design and execution of monitoring programs for surface and groundwater, soil sampling, air monitoring and work with our clients to interpret and analyse results. 

Enviropac

Enviropac is a specialist service that allows our clients to outsource their environmental compliance requirements and better navigate the issues that arise over the lifecycle of an operation.

Through Enviropac, we help clients negotiate with regulators, develop annual environmental programs and dramatically improve environmental performance across their business. It also helps our partners prioritise major problems and obtain regular feedback – benefits that cultivate a more effective and powerful decision-making process.

Enviropac draws on the abilities of an expert team of multidisciplinary practitioners and offers a cost-effective response to complex environmental management concerns.

GIS Mapping

At SEMF, we use state-of-the-art geographical information systems (GIS) technology to gather insights and knowledge about the built and natural environment. We use GIS mapping to visualise, analyse and collate data across various locations and to extract information relevant to each project.

SEMF tailors GIS solutions that allow our clients to manage their assets geographically, minimise risks, pursue new opportunities and prepare for the future. Our mapping systems incorporate up-to-the-minute data provided by government departments and are geared towards practical and actionable outcomes.

SEMF provides a wide range of mapping services to address the requirements and aspirations of our clients. These include survey mapping for flora and fauna, environmental management plan maps and contaminated site maps as well as plans for large-scale mining and construction projects.