The evolution of sustainable remediation in Australia and New Zealand: A storyline

•Sustainable remediation practice in Australia and New Zealand is described.•The local regulatory contexts of remediation practice growth are identified.•Important milestone activities and events in the region are listed.•Local methodologies, policies and developing world applications are included.•A framework, guidance methodologies, and urban renewal practice are important.

This article describes the 'storyline' of the early and recent growth of sustainable remediation (SR) practice in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), in order to inform and support other SR stakeholders, and to identify some lessons learned. Achievement of full acceptance and consistency across relevant ANZ regulatory jurisdictions and industry sectors will take time and will require publication of successful examples of SR application. The article describes the respective policy and regulatory contexts for sustainable remediation practice in Australia and in New Zealand; several milestone activities and events in the growth of SR in ANZ; and example SR methodologies and policies produced by stakeholders and remediation practitioners including the Sustainable Remediation Forum of Australia and New Zealand (SuRF ANZ).