Builders and developers are increasingly seeking ENM/VENM soil testing services to comply with regulations when removing soil from sites. Councils require assurance that the soil being removed is either clean or contaminated, regardless of whether it is transported to another site or a landfill. This often involves an ENM/VENM assessment.
Initially, ENM/VENM testing requests came from regions north of Sydney. However, this requirement has now become a widespread issue for builders and cartage firms throughout NSW.
Authorities frequently stop and inspect loads to ensure contractors meet their obligations when removing spoil. The penalties for non-compliance can be severe. If you have not yet encountered this requirement, here is some essential information to help you prepare for an ENM/VENM assessment.
Our Geotechnical Engineer, Dane Dwyer, provided insight into the relevant code.
VENM (Virgin Excavated Natural Material) refers to natural materials such as clay, gravel, sand, soil, or rock fines that meet the following criteria, as defined by the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act):
VENM also includes excavated natural materials approved under an EPA Gazettal notice. The EPA classifies VENM as general solid waste (non-putrescible).
VENM cannot include any other waste or be created from processed soils. Excavated materials that undergo processing cannot qualify as VENM.
We believe it is essential to inform builders about these regulations to help them prepare and manage their costs effectively. Our team offers VENM/ENM testing as part of Lot Classification services or as a standalone service. You can now order Lot Classifications online for added convenience
Make sure you’ve factored the cost of ENM/VENM testing into your next build budget.
At Ideal Geotech, we understand that time and efficiency are crucial for our customers. That’s why we’re introducing online geotechnical reports ordering, a first in the geotechnical industry! Our new system allows account customers to seamlessly order lot classifications and soil tests online, streamlining the process like never before.
With this new online ordering system, customers no longer need to rely on emails, faxes, or manual follow-ups. Instead, all submitted orders go directly into our customized scheduling system, ensuring:
We don’t just claim to be on time—we prove it! Our order tracking system provides account customers with a turnaround time report, measuring actual performance against agreed lead times. This transparency helps us continuously improve and ensures that you receive fast, reliable geotechnical reports.
If you need instant access to geotechnical reports, want to track your orders in real time, and require a more efficient lot classification process, Ideal Geotech has you covered.
For builders and developers, foundation costs can be a significant concern. Unforeseen expenses and delays impact project timelines and budgets. At Ideal Foundations, we provide cost certainty, ensuring a streamlined construction process with efficient foundation solutions.
We recently began foundation work on a 33-unit, two-story residential project in Camden South, South West Sydney. The builder had previously partnered with Ideal Foundations for a 22-unit project in Oran Park, where our screw piling solutions helped them get out of the ground faster.
After experiencing the benefits—rapid installation, minimal site disruption, and cost predictability—they chose Ideal Foundations again for their latest development.
Traditional bored concrete piers often lead to unexpected costs due to site variations and excavation challenges. However, our fixed price foundations eliminate these uncertainties by:
🏗 33 two-story units
🔩 1,000 screw piers installed (approximately 30 per unit)
📏 Screw piers reaching 2-3 meters deep
💰 All at a fixed price!
Partnering with Ideal Foundations offers:
At Ideal Foundations, we provide cost-effective, fixed-price foundation solutions for residential, commercial, and multi-unit projects. If you’re a builder or developer looking for budget certainty and efficient foundation installation, we’re here to help.
At Ideal Geotech, we take pride in supporting Australian children’s charities through meaningful projects that make a difference. One such initiative was the Variety – The children’s charity where our team contributed to the early foundation work of a home built for charity.
The G.J. Gardner Homes Penrith team built a stunning four-bedroom home in Redbank Estate, North Richmond (NSW). The project, completed in just six months, culminated in a successful charity auction, raising an incredible $375,000 for Variety – The Children’s Charity. This donation will go towards helping disadvantaged and special needs children across Australia.
While our role was small, we were honoured to contribute to this incredible cause. Ideal Geotech’s soil technicians and geotechnical engineers played a crucial part in the early stages by conducting:
By providing expert geotechnical support, we helped set the groundwork for a solid and secure structure, ensuring long-term stability.
As a company committed to supporting Australian children’s charities, we believe in using our expertise to contribute to initiatives that positively impact lives. The success of the Variety Freedom House project is a testament to what can be achieved when communities, businesses, and charities come together for a greater cause.
We are proud to have played a part in this project and look forward to supporting more charity-driven initiatives in the future.
G.J. Gardner Homes – Sydney West Facebook page
At Ideal Geotech, we understand the importance of fast and accurate site classifications for new developments. Recently, a client in the Central Coast of NSW needed 21 site classifications in Central Coast completed on a tight schedule. To meet their needs, we deployed four expert soil technicians, who successfully conducted all the required tests within a single day.
Speed and efficiency are critical in land development. Our ability to mobilise multiple teams ensures that projects like this subdivision can move forward without delays. By providing reliable site classifications in Central Coast, we help developers plan with greater confidence and accuracy.
During this project, we also captured footage of our geotechnical technicians at work. This video showcases the precision and expertise involved in soil testing and site classification. Once finalised, it will be available on our website, giving clients insight into the testing process and the technology we use.
If you require efficient site classifications, soil testing, or geotechnical assessments, Ideal Geotech is ready to assist. Our team delivers rapid, high-quality geotechnical services to support subdivision developments, residential projects, and commercial construction.
The Fairwater development in Blacktown, NSW, is one of the largest residential projects in the region, with approximately 1,100 homes planned. This ambitious project was originally led by Australand Property Group and is now under Frasers Property Australia. As the development progresses rapidly, Ideal Foundations is proud to play a vital role by providing screw piling solutions to establish strong and stable foundations for this large-scale housing project.
Our involvement in Fairwater began in May 2014, when we collaborated with Australand on the foundation work for the amenities building. Given the scale and soil conditions of the site, Ideal Foundations worked closely with engineers to develop a fixed-price screw piling solution, ensuring:
✔ Cost certainty, preventing unexpected price increases.
✔ Streamlined foundation installation, keeping the project on schedule.
✔ Efficient piling solutions, adapted to the site’s unique soil challenges.
As the project transitioned under the Frasers Property Australia brand, our team continued to play a crucial role. Today, Ideal Foundations is in full swing installing screw piles, providing fast, efficient, and reliable foundation solutions to support this growing residential community.
This project required foundations that could handle the region’s diverse soil conditions while offering efficiency and long-term stability. Screw piles were the ideal solution due to several advantages:
Traditional concrete foundations require excavation, formwork, and curing, which can cause delays. Screw piers, on the other hand, are installed rapidly and provide immediate load-bearing capacity, allowing builders to proceed without waiting. This efficiency is crucial for a large-scale development like Fairwater, where timely project completion is a priority.
Excavation for traditional footings generates large volumes of spoil, requiring costly removal and disposal. Screw piles eliminate the need for excessive excavation, significantly reducing:
The Fairwater development is built on varied and reactive soil conditions, which can lead to foundation movement, cracking, and instability if not managed properly. Screw piers provide:
For a project of this scale, financial predictability is essential. By choosing screw piling, Frasers Property Australia benefits from:
As construction at Fairwater continues, Ideal Foundations remains committed to supporting Frasers Property Australia in delivering high-quality housing for the growing Blacktown community. Our screw piling solutions ensure that each of the 1,100 homes will stand on strong, stable, and long-lasting foundations.
To find out more visit http://www.frasersproperty.com.au/NSW/Fairwater.
Rebate on All Jobs Completed Between Dec 16th, 2024, and Jan 13th, 2025!
