Urban landscapes across Australia face mounting pressure to deliver sustainable, resilient spaces. As land scarcity intensifies and communities demand more integrated living and working environments, the focus has shifted toward urban regeneration projects—particularly those involving brownfield redevelopment.
Nowhere is this transformation more evident than New Epping, a 51-hectare site in Melbourne’s north. Once a former quarry and landfill, the land is undergoing a complete reinvention. It is emerging as a mixed-use community built around sustainability, ecological restoration, and economic vitality.
Helia EHS has played a central role in this redevelopment. We support land transformation efforts through comprehensive environmental strategies, rigorous assessment processes, and risk mitigation practices.
The environmental legacy of brownfield sites
Brownfield redevelopment is complex. Sites like New Epping often contain layers of environmental legacy, including buried waste, soil contamination, and compromised groundwater or vapour pathways. Without targeted contaminated land management, these issues could pose serious risks to public health, construction viability, and long-term land use.
Helia EHS commenced involvement with the site in 2015. We began by conducting environmental assessments to evaluate risks to human health and ecological systems. Over time, this work expanded to include full-scale management of site remediation, aftercare, and strategic planning across multiple phases of development.
Effective environmental consultancy must go beyond technical reporting. It must support decision-makers with clear, auditable data and practical mitigation strategies. This enables safe, compliant development on complex sites.
Environmental considerations in urban redevelopment projects
New Epping exemplifies how urban regeneration projects can meet modern environmental benchmarks while restoring ecological function. At 28 Greengate Way, one of the precinct’s cornerstone sites, Helia EHS delivered a suite of environmental services to support statutory approvals and long-term resilience.
This included:
- Groundwater, surface water, soil and vapour sampling
- Ongoing monitoring programs
- Assessment work to support independent statutory environmental auditing
- Detailed environmental reporting and stakeholder communication
The site’s design integrates multiple gas mitigation measures to prevent subsurface vapour intrusion. Engineered membranes, passive and active venting systems, and reinforced concrete slabs work together to protect occupants and infrastructure from residual contaminants.
These systems align with national guidelines and reflect a best-practice approach to contaminated land management.
>More importantly, they provide assurance to developers, tenants, and future occupants that the built environment rests on a foundation of environmental safety.
Building nature back in
Urban regeneration projects must not only resolve contamination—they must also restore natural systems. At New Epping, Helia EHS worked with the developer, Riverlee, to embed ecological rehabilitation into every stage of planning and construction.
A major feature of this work is the restoration of Edgars Creek. Over 900 metres of waterway is being rehabilitated to improve water quality, support native flora and fauna, and offer community access to revitalised green corridors.
Moreover, wetland systems and nature-based infrastructure improve biodiversity outcomes while creating attractive, functional open spaces.
Helia EHS also supported the integration of ecological corridors to protect and encourage native species—most notably, the vulnerable Growling Grass Frog. This required alignment with environmental approvals and close attention to hydrological flows, vegetation connectivity, and habitat stability.
Projects that reintroduce natural function into urban footprints do more than meet environmental compliance. They create long-term social and economic value by enhancing liveability, reducing heat island effects, and fostering community connection.
A precinct designed for resilience
The broader New Epping precinct incorporates 30,000m² of commercial and retail space. It is framed by landscaped walkways, green infrastructure, and natural light. The development has been designed with flexibility in mind, supporting everything from start-ups and creative studios to medium-sized enterprises and community services.
New Epping also has a 6 Star Green Star Communities rating. This is a benchmark of environmental and social excellence in urban development. The rating considers everything from energy efficiency and water management to community cohesion and access to transport.
Achieving these outcomes requires more than good design. It demands collaboration between planning teams, builders, engineers, and environmental consultants. Helia EHS has supported this integrated delivery through tailored environmental input. We guide key decisions to support long-term resilience and performance.
Supporting Melbourne urban development with technical expertise
Across Melbourne, urban regeneration projects continue to shape the city’s future. From former industrial zones to underutilised parcels of land, brownfield sites offer enormous potential when managed with care, expertise, and strategic planning.
Helia EHS brings a proven track record of supporting developers, architects, and councils with technical environmental consulting. Our services include:
- Environmental site assessments and remediation planning
- Vapour intrusion modelling and gas mitigation system design
- Compliance and reporting support for statutory audits
- Waterway restoration and ecological habitat planning
- Advice on sustainable urban infrastructure and rating tools
These capabilities allow stakeholders to make informed choices. They balance commercial goals with environmental duty of care. This integrated approach enables the transformation of once-toxic sites into future-ready precincts with measurable social, environmental, and economic value.
Choosing to redevelop brownfield land isn’t the easy option. However, urban sprawl, climate resilience, and housing pressures demand a more thoughtful approach to land use. Brownfield redevelopment reduces pressure on greenfield sites. It also lowers infrastructure duplication and often places new communities closer to jobs, transport, and existing amenities. When paired with strong environmental governance, these projects create neighbourhoods that are healthier, safer, and more connected.
Helia EHS has an expert team specialising in brownfield regeneration. We play a critical role in delivering these outcomes. By embedding risk management, compliance, and sustainability into every project, our consultants ensure development is not only viable—but valuable.
A smarter way forward for urban regeneration projects
The transformation at New Epping demonstrates what’s possible when science, sustainability, and long-term thinking converge. By turning a contaminated site into a benchmark of urban renewal, the project sets a new standard for brownfield redevelopment.
Urban regeneration projects that prioritise environmental care from day one are better placed to deliver long-term returns. Developers, councils, investors, and community stakeholders all benefit when remediation is proactive, ecological systems are restored, and buildings are designed for future needs.
Helia EHS continues to support forward-thinking urban development. We offer evidence-led consultancy, practical solutions, and deep expertise in complex site remediation. To discuss your next regeneration project, explore Helia’s range of services or schedule a call with one of our team.