LRM Property advisory environmental inspector, soil core sample, contaminated land technical due diligence and reporting for industrial land in Geelong
LRM Property Advisory building inspectors, commercial technical due diligence building inspection and reporting of commercial warehouse and office asset in Geelong
LRM Property Advisory building inspector, commercial technical due diligence building inspection and reporting for greenfield development site near Geelong

Development Site Due Diligence

LRM Property Advisory delivers comprehensive Development Site Due Diligence (DSDD) to help developers, investors, and syndicates derisk site acquisitions, protect financial feasibility, and eliminate costly post-purchase surprises.

Before entering unconditional contracts or committing capital, LRM evaluates the physical, environmental, and regulatory constraints of brownfield, greenfield, infill, and adaptive reuse sites.

Core Components of LRM’s Development Site Due Diligence

1. Environmental Hazard & Contamination Due Diligence Industrial and brownfield sites often carry complex contamination histories that threaten project viability:

  • Historical Site Assessments (Phase 1 ESA): LRM audits historical land use, council records, EPA registrations, and trade waste permits to identify Potential Contaminating Activities (PCAs).

  • Soil & Groundwater Investigations (Phase 2 ESA): Where risks are flagged, LRM conducts targeted soil, soil vapor, and groundwater testing to detect heavy metals, hydrocarbons, PFAS, or solvents.

  • Remediation Costing: We outline required remediation strategies and upfront cost estimates so developers can factor cleanup expenses directly into land acquisition negotiations.

2. Existing Structural & Envelope Integrity (Adaptive Reuse & Retention) For projects involving retained structures, facade retention, or adaptive reuse:

  • Structural Health Audits: LRM assesses foundation integrity, slab capacities, structural framing, and load-bearing limits.

  • Building Envelope Inspection: We evaluate roof coverings, structural masonry, wall cladding, and water ingress risks to verify if structures can be economically integrated into the new design.

3. Infrastructure Capacity & Building Services Upgrading off-site utility infrastructure unexpectedly can severely erode development margins.

  • LRM reviews high-cost building services—mechanical (HVAC), high-voltage electrical infrastructure, fire main pressures, and trade waste capacity.

  • We confirm whether existing site services can support the proposed floor area ratio (FAR), tenant load demands, or manufacturing operational requirements.

4. Building Code (BCA) & Essential Safety Measures (ESM) Audit Navigating legacy compliance hurdles can stall planning permissions and building permits.

  • We audit existing site structures against the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and National Construction Code (NCC).

  • Identifies mandatory upgrades required for fire safety, egress, disability access, and energy efficiency prior to council lodgment.

5. Hazardous Materials & Demolition Liability Scoping

  • LRM conducts pre-acquisition Hazardous Materials Audits to identify asbestos, lead paint, and synthetic mineral fibers across existing structures.

  • Enables accurate budgeting for specialized hazardous waste removal during site clearance and demolition phases.

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