11 - 2015 - ISCouncil

2015 Sustainability in Infrastructure Award winners announced!

2015 Sustainability in Infrastructure Award winners announced!

Sydney Metro Northwest Tunnel and Station Civils project, Aurecon Australasia and Scott Losee were the winners at the 2015 Sustainability in Infrastructure Awards presented by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) at their annual Gala Dinner and Awards Night on 21 October 2015 in Sydney.

The Sustainability in Infrastructure Awards recognise projects, organisations and individuals who demonstrate leadership in advancing infrastructure sustainability. ISCA CEO, Antony Sprigg, said the Sustainability in Infrastructure Awards are an important element in the pursuit of ISCA’s mission to improve the productivity & liveability of industry & communities through sustainability in infrastructure as they “celebrate the success of the dedicated sustainability professionals in the infrastructure industry.”

The IS Project or Asset Award recognises the certified IS project or asset that has demonstrated the highest overall excellence and sustainability achievements. The winner of the 2015 IS Project or Asset Award was Sydney Metro Northwest Tunnel and Station Civils project. The judging panel were impressed by how the project embedded sustainability at each stage of this large and complex project.

CAPTION: Sydney Metro Northwest Tunnels and Station Civil wins the 2015 Sustainability in Infrastructure IS Project or Asset Award presented by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA)(L-R) Dr Caitlin Richards (Thiess John Holland Dragados), Mark Rogers (ISCA Deputy Chairperson) and Tom Grosskopf (Judge 2015 Sustainability in Infrastructure Awards).

Sydney Metro Northwest Tunnels and Station Civil is a 1.15 billion dollar 15-kilometre twin tunnels development between Bella Vista and Epping, being delivered by Thiess John Holland Dragados (TJHD) and achieved a ‘Leading’ IS Design rating. The TJHD team has excelled in sustainability management and systems, achieving maximum scores in five management systems credits: Sustainability leadership and commitment, Management system accreditation, Risk and opportunity management, Organisational structure roles and responsibilities as well as Inspection and auditing. TJHD reduced emissions by 24 per cent through initiatives including the use of B5 blended fuel, hybrid excavators, fuel efficient training and awareness programs, design optimisation and reduced electricity consumption. Closed-loop recirculation networks reduced water use by 37 per cent from the reference footprint. The TJHD design substituted more sustainable components enabling a 45 per cent reduction in ecopoints for its materials score. The design also provided best practice flood immunity to protect station evacuations from the probable maximum flood event through a flood management protocol, barriers, pumps and sumps.

The remaining 2015 nominees were:

  • Madden and Pakenham Street Upgrade
  • Sydney Metro Northwest  Surface and Viaduct Civils
  • Wynyard Walk

The Organisational Leadership in Infrastructure Sustainability Award recognises the organisation that exhibits the most outstanding performance, leadership and greatest contribution to advancing infrastructure sustainability. The winner of the 2015 Organisational Leadership in Infrastructure Sustainability Award was Aurecon Australasia. In selecting Aurecon the judging panel highlighted their scale, leadership, market influence as well as their excellent embedding of sustainability principles and frameworks into a large organisation.

CAPTION: Aurecon wins the 2015 Sustainability in Infrastructure Organisational Leadership in Infrastructure Sustainability Award presented by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) (L-R) Ashley Hernandez (nee Stevenson, Aurecon), Mark Rogers (ISCA Deputy Chairperson) and Tom Grosskopf (Judge 2015 Sustainability in Infrastructure Awards).

Aurecon is committed to making a real contribution to the sustainability challenge. They recognise the need to balance economic growth with social development and the protection of the environment, while furthering the capacity of Aurecon and stakeholders to survive, adapt and grow in a changing world. Aurecon has a number of specialist professionals with skills in sustainability, including nine (9) IS Accredited Professionals. They are working on a number of sustainable infrastructure projects and are continually looking for opportunities in sustainability not only to improve their client’s sustainability standing but to improve their own skills in this regard.

The judging panel also awarded a Highly Commended award to Icon Water. The judging panel rewarded Icon Water for their community engagement not simply engaging internally. Icon Water has rolled out its sustainability framework to ensure economic, social, environmental and cultural elements of sustainability are integrated across the business and infrastructure projects.

The remaining 2015 nominees were:

  • Auckland Airport
  • Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd
  • Panuku Development Auckland
  • Salini Impregilo
  • Value Adviser Associates Pty Ltd

The Individual Leadership in Infrastructure Sustainability Award recognises the individual who best exhibits the most outstanding performance, leadership and greatest contribution to advancing infrastructure sustainability. The winner of the 2015 Individual Leadership in Infrastructure Sustainability Award was Scott Losee. The judging panel were impressed with Scott’s leadership and contribution to ISCA as a start-up organisation, his passion as an early adopter and his energetic longevity.

CAPTION: Scott Losee wins the 2015 Sustainability in Infrastructure Individual Leadership in Infrastructure Sustainability Award presented by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) (L-R) Scott Losee (Scott Losee Consulting), Dr Katrina O’Mara (ISCA company Secretary and 2014 Winner) and Jonathan Kennedy (Judge 2015 Sustainability in Infrastructure Awards).

Scott has been intensively involved in the creation of ISCA and the IS rating scheme since its very beginning. In December 2014, Scott retired from the ISCA Board as its longest-serving Director. He continues as a volunteer member of the Technical Steering Committee (TSC) and as an active IS Verifier. His volunteer efforts this year have also included overseeing the development of an ISCA Planning Guideline and beginning the revamp of the IS scorecard, after having developed the original scorecard currently in use. Scott’s contributions this year are built upon his 25 year career, beginning as one of Queensland Transport’s first environmental officers. His career highlights include establishing AECOM’s Australia New Zealand practice in Sustainability and Climate Change and its infrastructure sustainability services. His work has spanned policy, planning, design and delivery for diverse infrastructure including roads, rail, seaports, airports, waste management, urban development, commercial buildings, electricity generation and transmission, and water supply and sewerage.

The judging panel also awarded a Highly Commended award to Hollie Mapson recognising her drive, commitment and success in influencing through communication and process. Hollie’s enthusiasm and commitment has inspired many individuals and her passion and drive for infrastructure sustainability has enabled her to challenge and lead change in the construction industry. Hollie leads Laing O’Rourke’s Sustainability Function in the Australasian region and is focused on developing and embedding the corporate sustainability strategy and framework to drive better infrastructure sustainability outcomes on all projects.

CAPTION: Hollie Mapson receiving the 2015 Sustainability in Infrastructure Individual Leadership in Infrastructure Sustainability Highly Commended Award, presented by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA)(L-R) Hayley Jarick (ISCA) and Hollie Mapson (Laing O’Rourke)

The remaining 2015 nominees were:

  • Amardeep Wander
  • Ashley Hernandez (nee Stevenson)
  • Dr David Cruickshanks-Boyd
  • Louis Bettini
  • Nicole Rogers
  • Rob Rouwette
  • Ross Davies
  • Sophie Wallis
  • Stuart Hodgson

The 2015 Sustainability in Infrastructure Awards judging panel comprised of:

Tom Grosskopf | Director, Metropolitan Branch | NSW Office of Environment and Heritage

Jessica Hall | General Manager, Infrastructure Policy | Australian Government Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development

Jonathan Kennedy | Executive Director – Policy & Strategy | Infrastructure Partnerships Australia

Megan Motto | CEO | Consult Australia

The 2015 Sustainability in Infrastructure Awards were sponsored by Lend Lease and WSP Parsons Brinkerhoff.

Auckland Airport Operations Soar

Auckland Airport Operations Soar

Auckland Airport has been awarded with a ‘Commended’ Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Operation Pilot rating by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA). The award was presented to Auckland Airport at the 2015 Sustainability in Infrastructure Awards in Sydney Australia on Wednesday 21 October 2015.

ISCA CEO Antony Sprigg said, “In addition to achieving New Zealand’s first IS Operation Pilot rating, Auckland Airport has inherently assisted with defining what the New Zealand IS rating tool should comprise.”

“Achieving a ‘Commended’ IS Operation Pilot rating is Auckland Airport’s latest accolade in their continuing leadership of infrastructure sustainability in New Zealand,” he continued. Auckland Airport are a member of the New Zealand Advisory Group on Infrastructure Sustainability, have recent joined as an ISCA New Zealand Founding Member and Martin Fryer (Sustainability Manager) was keynote speaker at ISCA’s recent Infrastructure Sustainability Conference “excellence IS spreading” in Sydney on 22 October 2015.

Since 2007 Auckland Airport has committed a full-time resource to embedding sustainable business practice and produced its first sustainability policy and five year action plan in 2008. Auckland Airport General Manager Airport Development and Delivery, Graham Matthews said “Auckland Airport is the key gateway into New Zealand and as such recognises the important role it plays providing the first and last impressions of New Zealand for the majority of international visitors.” He continued “Auckland Airport is now embedding its third policy and plan, taking a long term view to infrastructure development and operation.” Following the release of its masterplan in 2014, Auckland Airport reviewed its sustainability programme using the IS rating tool as a benchmark becoming the first IS rating operational pilot.

Auckland Airport were rewarded for their innovative waste reduction initiatives in compliance with Ministry of Primary Industry (MPI) biosecurity requirements. Normal waste disposal practice is to classify all cabin waste as quarantine waste and compulsorily send it to landfill. However Auckland Airport worked closely with waste contractors and developed a unique transitional waste recovery facility to segregate and sort cabin waste, resulting in the diversion of some cabin waste from landfill. The development process facilitated further engagement with airlines, to investigate waste avoidance through potentially changing in flight product specifications.

Auckland Airport’s management systems were rewarded for integrating responsibility for sustainability into their senior management team, engaging an independent professional to monitor and review sustainability performance, implementing performance improvements through a sustainability strategy, as well as sharing sustainability knowledge internally, within the industry and with sustainability professionals.

ISCA 2015 AGM

ISCA 2015 AGM

This year Penny Townley and Nick Fleming resigned from their Core Director positions on the ISCA Board. Penny Townley was appointed to the ISCA Board in March 2010 representing the ISCA member organisation AECOM. Nick Fleming was appointed to the ISCA Board in November 2011 representing the Jacobs (previously SKM). The ISCA Board and Operations Team are grateful for their dedication and guidance through the formation of ISCA and the development of the IS rating scheme.

Also during the year Marko Misko (Clayton Utz) was appointed as a Casual Director in June 2015 and Menno Henneveld and Jayne Whitney both joined member organisations (Laing O’Rourke and UGL respectively) triggering their resignation as independent directors and appointment as casual directors. All Casual Director terms ended at the 2015 AGM and five candidates were nominated to fill three Core Director positions. The nominees were Marko Misko (Clayton Utz), Menno Henneveld (Laing O’Rourke), David Cruickshanks-Boyd (WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff), Jayne Whitney (UGL) and Nicole Rogers (McConnell Dowell). During the 2015 AGM ISCA members elected Marko Misko (Clayton Utz), Menno Henneveld (Laing O’Rourke) and Jayne Whitney (UGL) to fill the three vacancies.

The ISCA Board now has eleven (11) directors; David Singleton (Chair), Mark Rogers (Deputy Chair), Dale Connor, Russell Cuttler, Menno Henneveld, David Kinniburgh, Marko Misko, Leisel Moorhead, Alison Rowe, Craig Tucker and Jayne Whitney.

ISCA Members also unanimously supported the adoption a new Constitution. ISCA’s Constitution had not been comprehensively reviewed since its adoption in 2008. At the time, ISCA drew upon the Constitution of a kindred society. As ISCA matured, the suitability of the Constitution to meet the needs of the organisation diverged, and whilst attempts to amend the Constitution to address weaknesses had been made, the Board proposed the adoption a new Constitution which reflects a form and content which is better aligned to the purposes of ISCA and clearly sets out matters associated with the governance of the organisation more clearly and in greater detail.

Key changes to the Constitution include:

  • Changes to the nomenclature of Directors and establishment of three year terms
  • Removal of retirement provisions, save for all Directors’ terms which expire after three years, but are eligible for re-election
  • Better recognition of ISCA’s activities in the Objects of the Company
  • Alignment with charitable requirements
  • Removal of organisation type restrictions associated with the composition of the Board

Please note that the above is a very simplified overview of some of the key changes effected by the new Constitution, and is not and does not purport to be an exhaustive comparison.

Yarra Park Recycled Water Treatment Facility awarded first ‘Excellent’ IS Operations Pilot rating

Yarra Park Recycled Water Treatment Facility awarded first ‘Excellent’ IS Operations Pilot rating

The Yarra Park Recycled Water Treatment Facility (RWTF) has been awarded with an Australian first ‘Excellent’ Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Operations Pilot rating by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA). The award was presented to Downer at ISCA’s annual Sustainability in Infrastructure Awards on Wednesday 21 October 2015.

“Downer and the Yarra Park RWTF team are to be congratulated on two fronts,“ said ISCA CEO Antony Sprigg. “Firstly, for their leadership in piloting the IS rating scheme in an Operational context and secondly, for achieving an ‘Excellent’ (IS) Operations Pilot rating.”

The plant is capable of producing more than 600 kilolitres of recycled water per day. As one of the first of its type, the facility was built underground and out of public view, ensuring it did not take away valuable surface land use or impact the amenity of the park. This innovative proof-of-concept design substantially contributes to the broader water market transformation towards sustainable development.

The team were recognised for their public commitment to sustainability in the Yarra Park Masterplan, monthly measuring and reporting on sustainability performance to senior management and their extensive knowledge sharing which had included the sharing of mistakes and development opportunities.

Since the plant was commissioned, Downer has been able to gain water efficiencies of 7% during summer operations and 8% during winter operations and has been able to supply 99.99% of potable water replacement demand. To date the Yarra Park RWTF has directly offset 291,818,800 litres of potable water.

The team monitored energy use and greenhouse gas emissions during the two years the plant has been in operation, enabling operational process improvements that have resulted in reduced energy consumption over the remaining 23 years of the asset’s operational life. In addition to this, substantial changes to chemical dosing, cleaning regimes and process philosophies have resulted in a reduction of 80 tonnes chemicals or 45% of materials.

Panuku Development Auckland paving the way for Infrastructure Sustainability in New Zealand

Panuku Development Auckland paving the way for Infrastructure Sustainability in New Zealand

The Madden and Pakenham road upgrade project in Auckland’s waterfront precinct has been awarded with an ‘Excellent’ Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Design rating by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA). The rating was awarded to Panuku Development Auckland who piloted the IS rating scheme in New Zealand.

ISCA CEO Antony Sprigg says Panuku Development Auckland’s leadership in achieving an Excellent IS Design rating whilst piloting the IS rating scheme during the design of this project is admirable. “ISCA aims to recognise and encourage beyond business-as-usual sustainability activities in the planning, construction and operational phases of infrastructure projects.”

“We congratulate Panuku Development Auckland for achieving a ‘Excellent’ IS Design rating“ Mr Sprigg continued. “In addition to achieving New Zealand’s first Design IS rating, Madden and Pakenham Road Upgrade pilot has inherently assisted with defining what the New Zealand IS rating tool should comprise.”

Madden and Pakenham Road Upgrade project achieved perfect IS rating scores in the Urban and Landscape Design theme. Key design considerations followed the principles of: connecting waterfront precincts, providing continuous waterfront access, establishing diverse public spaces, promoting an active and working waterfront, creating appropriate building height, scale and form, facilitating a mix of uses and activities, as well as promoting sustainable transport and urbanism.

Of great pride to Panuku is the value it places on a design-led approach that resulted in a perfect 5.10 score for the urban and landscape theme. “Unlike many infrastructure projects, where design and construction are outsourced, Panuku leads design and only outsources construction. We believe this allows us to set clear expectations and puts in place the mechanisms to ensure they are delivered through construction,” says Viv Heslop, who manages the IS rating process at Panuku.

Madden and Pakenham Road Upgrade project identified, through a multi-disciplinary workshop, direct and indirect climate change risks and adaptation measures to treat all high and medium risks. This included major improvements to the stormwater treatment system now designed to accommodate the 1 in 100 year storm event and allow for an increase in rainfall of 17% over the next 100 years due to the effects of climate change. Sea level rise of 1m is also incorporated into the design as the reticulated systems all discharge to the harbour.

The project team reduced construction carbon emissions by 27 percent and reduced their materials environmental footprint (EcoPoints) by 18 percent. The material foot print reduction was enabled through narrow street design, mudcreting techniques used for in-situ management and containment of contaminated soil, increasing the design life and reducing the embodied energy of the carriageway by using concrete instead of asphalt.

The project demonstrated leading management systems with a member of the senior management team having central responsibility for managing sustainability as well as publically committing to “achieving international best practice by moving into the zero net energy/water/waste and restorative space”. Suppliers on the Madden and Pakenham Road Upgrade project were requested to provide details of their sustainability policy and its implementation.

According to the interim CEO of Panuku Development Auckland, John Dalzell, “The value to the organisation has been in having an independent body scrutinise how Panuku is delivering on its sustainability commitments. We believe we have set a benchmark for other organisations in New Zealand to step up to.”

Sydney Metro Northwest tunnels ‘Leading’ IS Design rating

Sydney Metro Northwest tunnels ‘Leading’ IS Design rating

Thiess John Holland Dragados boring ahead on the Sydney Metro Northwest tunnels with a ‘Leading’ IS Design rating

The Sydney Metro Northwest project’s tunnel builders have been awarded a ‘Leading’ Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Design rating by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA). The rating was awarded to Thiess John Holland Dragados (TJHD), which is delivering the $1.15 billion contract on behalf of Transport for NSW. A ‘Leading’ IS rating is the highest possible achievement in the IS scheme.

ISCA CEO Antony Sprigg says, “ISCA aims to recognise and encourage beyond business-as-usual sustainability activities in the planning, construction and operational phases of infrastructure projects.”

“We congratulate the Thiess John Holland Dragados team for applying the IS rating scheme during the design of this project and their commitment to continue applying it throughout construction.”

“The achievement of a ‘Leading’ IS Design rating – the highest possible level – is truly an exemplary performance and an inspiration of what can be achieved when sustainability practices are adopted,” he said.

With the Sydney Metro Northwest project, Transport for NSW has sought to raise the bar for sustainable design and delivery of infrastructure projects through establishing a suite of performance requirements, including that contractors achieve IS Design ratings.

Sydney Metro Program Director Rodd Staples said, “This significant achievement by TJHD puts the Sydney Metro Northwest project as a whole on a very solid foundation to realise exemplary sustainability outcomes”.

The TJHD team has excelled in sustainability management and systems, achieving maximum scores in five management systems credits:

  • Sustainability leadership and commitment
  • Management system accreditation
  • Risk and opportunity management
  • Organisational structure roles and responsibilities
  • Inspection and auditing.

TJHD reduced emissions by 24 per cent through initiatives including the use of B5 blended fuel, hybrid excavators, fuel efficient training and awareness programs, design optimisation and reduced electricity consumption. Closed-loop recirculation networks reduced water use by 37 per cent from the reference footprint.

The TJHD design substituted more sustainable components, for example in its high strength concrete mix, enabling a 45 per cent reduction in ecopoints for its materials score. The design also provided best practice flood immunity to protect station evacuations from the probable maximum flood event through a flood management protocol, barriers, pumps and sumps.

TJHD Project Director Terry Sleiman says, “The whole team has been committed to a ground-breaking vision for sustainable infrastructure delivery of the twin tunnels and civil works for five stations and two services facilities.”

“While constructing a high quality, value-for-money asset, TJHD has worked collaboratively to find sustainability initiatives that reduce environmental impacts on communities, ensure sites are safe for workers and the community, and maximise social benefits.”

TJHD has also registered for an IS As-Built rating. The tunnelling contract is expected to be completed in 2017.

Sydney Metro Northwest skytrain ‘Leading’ IS Design rating

Sydney Metro Northwest skytrain – bridging the gap to Sustainable Construction with a ‘Leading’ IS Design rating

Sydney Metro Northwest project’s skytrain builders have been awarded with a ‘Leading’ Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Design rating by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA). The rating was awarded to Salini Impregilo Joint Venture (ISJV) who are delivering the 4km skytrain viaduct and associated surface works package on behalf of Transport for NSW. A ‘Leading’ IS rating is the highest possible achievement in the IS rating scheme and indicates that the project is achieving best practice in sustainability.

ISCA CEO Antony Sprigg says applying the IS rating scheme during the design of this project and the commitment to continue applying the IS rating scheme through construction is commendable. “ISCA aims to recognise and encourage beyond business-as-usual sustainability activities in the planning, construction and operational phases of infrastructure projects.”

“We congratulate the ISJV team for achieving a ‘Leading’ IS Design rating, the highest possible rating level,“ Mr Sprigg continued. “This is an exemplary performance and testament to what can be achieved when sustainability practices are adopted.”

With the Sydney Metro Northwest project, Transport for NSW has sought to raise the bar for sustainable design and delivery of infrastructure projects through establishing a suite of performance requirements, including that contractors achieve IS Design ratings.

Sydney Metro Program Director Rodd Staples said: “This significant achievement by ISJV puts the Sydney Metro Northwest project as a whole on a very solid foundation to realise exemplary sustainability outcomes”.

ISJV demonstrated Australian based market transformation through development of a sustainability data collection and reporting software. This innovative software solution provides a sustainability management system for organisations to record data and measure sustainability performance of civil engineering projects.
Stuart Hodgson, Principal Manager – Sustainability, Environment and Planning from Transport for NSW has endorsed the software expressing, “this software development has presented an opportunity for TfNSW to review its system for managing contractor reporting requirements on future TfNSW infrastructure projects.”

ISJV has reduced emissions by more than a third through initiatives including the use of biofuels, design efficiencies and reduced electricity use. The ISJV design also enabled a potential 9 percent water saving, over the life of the project using water reduction techniques such as water free chemical concrete curing.

Smart design has also modelled a 44 percent emissions reduction and a net Eco point reduction of 37 percent. The package’s Deconstruction Plan also shows that 90 percent of the value of all materials can potentially be recycled.

Through the discovery of the White Hart Inn, a European heritage site discovered as part of the Early Works package, ISJV has been instrumental in the protection of The White Hart Inn site. ISJV implemented best practice heritage management measures including minimising adverse impacts to heritage during construction, developing signage and interpretive materials describing heritage values, developing educational and community resources around heritage values and developing partnerships with relevant stakeholders to utilise heritage places to promote local heritage values.

Salini Impregilo has over 100 years of experience in the construction of roads, motorways, railways, dams, hydroelectric plants, tunnels, aqueducts, and civil and industrial buildings around the world, which has enabled Salini Impregilo to develop a strong business model that adheres to the principles of sustainable development, which are rigorously applied to all our key processes.

To be awarded with a ‘Leading’ Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Design rating by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) is a fantastic achievement for a new company working in the Australian market place. It is a real testament to Salini Impregilo’s commitment to Sustainable Construction Globally and to the efforts of the ISJV management in delivering the sustainability objective within the project.

Salini Impregilo Joint Venture has registered Sydney Metro Northwest project’s Surface and Viaduct Civils package for an IS As Built rating. Sydney Metro Northwest project’s Surface and Viaduct Civils package is expected to be completed in early 2017.