Land Capability Assessments

LCA’s are a council requirement for all property developments, both domestic and industrial, in unsewered areas.

A poorly designed and/or installed wastewater disposal system can lead to unsatisfactory outcomes in terms of health, smell, visual amenity and contamination of the environment, especially ground and surface waters.

A Land Capability Assessment is an fundamental part of this process.

Our LCA reports contain all the necessary information that you will require to accompany your Septic Tank Permit to Install submitted to Council, including:

• The results of onsite and laboratory testing
• Soil profile description and classification
• Land Capability Assessment Matrix
• Recommendations on a choice of site-specific treatment and land application systems suitable to
  sustainably treat all effluent produced within your allotment boundaries
• Sizing of the land application/irrigation system
• Description of the irrigation system
• Buffer distances/set-back requirements
• Recommendations for you to sustainably manage your chosen system in order to gain the best outcomes for you, your family, your business, and the environment.

Unlike many others, we have a full range of drilling/sampling, technical and scientific testing equipment needed to complete a thorough investigation, that will result in the best outcome for you, your family, your business and the environment.

We consider it a professional requirement that Land Capability Assessments are provided by practitioners with both public and professional indemnity insurance – We are fully covered for your protection and peace of mind.

Our LCA team includes personnel with CET accreditation, together with university qualifications in both soil and water quality and engineering geology, as well as many years of professional experience in the industry throughout Victoria.

All LCA’s for disposal of domestic and industrial wastewaters within Victoria are undertaken with reference and in accordance with EPA guidelines, and comply with both the Australian/New Zealand Standard, the Victorian Land Capability Assessment Framework, and the relevant Local Government Domestic Wastewater Management Plans (DWMP).

Save time and money by engaging Smolders Geotechnical Pty Ltd to complete the geotechnical/soil testing (site classification) for the structural elements of your build onsite at the same time as your LCA.

We also deliver a full suite of other Geotechnical services and testing.

• All work is carried out by qualified engineering geologists or geotechnical engineers.
• Fully insured with Professional Indemnity and Public Liability coverage.
• Extensive experience with residential and commercial developments.
• We offer a wide range of drilling rigs and equipment to suit any site conditions.
• Members of the Foundations and Footing Society Victoria, Australian Geomechanics Society, and the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.
• Fast, responsive, and comprehensive service.
• Expertise with challenging and tight-access sites.
• Your first step to achieving the best outcome for your build.

Our Services Include:

• Soil Testing/Site Classification Reports to AS2870:2011
• Geotechnical Assessments and Landslip Risk Assessments for EMO
• Full Geotechnical Site Assessments
• Basement Investigations
• Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Testing
• Land Capability Assessments (LCA)
• Footing Probes
• Bushfire Attack Levels, Wind Load Ratings