7 - 2019 - ISCouncil

GHD: Driving Sustainability in WA and Beyond

GHD is one of the world’s leading professional services companies operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Privately owned, GHD deliver engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services to public and private sector clients across five continents and the Pacific region. GHD were a founding member of ISCA, and are a deep-rooted supporter. GHD are gold partners for the 2019 Western Australia Conference. We caught up with the team at GHD to speak about their current projects, proud achievements, and the WA Conference:
Which projects are GHD currently working on, in WA and further afield?

In the sustainability space, GHD are currently assisting Main Roads WA on numerous planning and development phase projects, as well as the detailed design and construction of the Metropolitan Road Improvement Alliance projects. Beyond WA, GHD is assisting the Western Sydney Airport Co. throughout their planning and implementation of sustainability and Infrastructure Sustainability, as well as assisting the implementation of IS on the Northeast Link project.

What sustainability successes/ innovations are you most proud of?

Some success to mention include:

  • Recycled Road base – GHD has been a part of the majority of Main Roads WA projects which have trialled this product, either in small sections, or as one of the primary road bases. We have been able to assist Main Roads WA in the technical and environmental considerations for the use of this product. Late last year it was pleasing to present a training course to the recycled road base manufacturers on how they can best manufacture their products to minimise environmental risks.

 

  • Eric Singleton Wetland – GHD provided drainage design and environmental support to assist the City of Bayswater in the development of this new wetland. Through the drainage design process, we were able to maximise the length of water path flow, thereby enabling more time for sediments to drop out and improve water quality. The site had historical contamination issues, and GHD were able to assist the City in determining the most sustainable remediation method that suited the project and minimised waste to landfill.

Why did you partner with ISCA for the WA Conference?

The incorporation of sustainability principles within infrastructure projects has been recognised as important for a long time now, but it is just as important to follow this up with proactive actions to make sure this occurs, and measure the actual outcome. Partnering with ISCA makes sense, as the fastest way to improve sustainability outcomes is to have a wide understanding and knowledge base of sustainable ideas, projects and initiatives. GHD has recognised this from the start, given we were one of the founding members of ISCA (back when it was called AGIC) – partnering with ISCA for the WA Conference was a natural progression on this.

What are you most looking forward to at the Conference?

The Conference will provide a great opportunity to engaging with others in the industry and to see what’s going on outside of our key projects and industries. We are looking forward to hearing from others, and sharing our experiences to further educate the industry, and allow sustainability improvements to occur at a faster pace.

What next for GHD?

GHD is supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 by making them part of our strategy, culture and day-to-day operations. We recognise that the challenges facing our planet require innovative thinking and bold actions. Through our professional services, we continue to assist our clients respond to these challenges, and we’re excited by the opportunities for fresh thinking this presents.

WA Conference Platinum Partners: Jacobs

WA Conference Platinum Partners: Jacobs

Jacobs leads the global professional services sector providing solutions for a more connected, sustainable world. With a talent force of more than 50,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of services including scientific, technical, professional and construction- and program-management for business, industrial, commercial, government and infrastructure sectors. Our team is right there on the front line of change; helping clients tackle the big issues and challenges and making an enduring, positive difference in the world, one project delivery at a time. Jacobs are an active member and long-time supporter of ISCA and are our platinum partner for the 2019 Western Australia Conference.

We caught up with the team at Jacobs to speak about their current projects, proud achievements, and the WA Conference:

Which projects are Jacobs currently working on, in WA and further afield?

Our teams are working with clients across a broad range of projects here in Western Australia. In terms of sustainability projects, we’re currently supporting Main Roads WA and the Public Transport Authority to incorporate sustainability principals on a range of infrastructure projects. Interstate, Jacobs has played a key role in realising sustainability outcomes on Gold Coast Light Rail, Sydney Westconnex New M5, Sydney Metro Northwest projects and for Queensland Urban Utilities.

What sustainability successes/ innovations are you most proud of?

Some of our recent sustainability success include:

·           Successfully achieving ISCA ratings in each of the Design, As-built and Operational categories. In each of these categories, we have also achieved or are on track to achieve the highest possible rating level, representing a positive net sustainability contribution. Our recent ISCA accredited projects include the Great Northern Highway upgrade project, where sustainable project outcomes are being driven through an ‘integrated’ delivery model, research during project planning stages, a commitment to local procurement strategies and the application of the IS rating framework.

·           Being part of the North East Program Alliance team responsible for delivering two level crossing removals and the new Rosanna Train Station project which achieve an Excellent Design IS rating last year. Rosanna Station has also received a commendation in the Public Architecture and Urban Design categories at the recent 2019 Victorian Architecture Awards.

·           Working with New Zealand Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Government of Kiritati to deliver a feasibility study and conceptual plan — including coastal engineering, urban and landscape design and environmental and social impact assessment — to explore the option of increasing the height of a 300-hectare area of land to approximately two meters above the highest measured sea level.

Why did you partner with ISCA for the WA Conference?

Around the world, across all disciplines, our people strive to constantly demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and innovation through our words and actions. We embrace the challenge of designing and delivering solutions that provide enduring value, recognising that technology, science and innovation are central to finding sustainable solutions. In partnering with ISCA for the WA conference, we can support an organization whose vision and values are strongly aligned with our own, share learnings from some of our project deliveries with other likeminded organisations, learn from other organisations delivering similar projects, and ultimately contribute to conversations that matter about how we can tackle our sustainability challenges head on.

 What are you most looking forward to at the Conference?

The Conference is a great opportunity to learn through shared experience with industry peers and partners. We look forward to gaining insights from technology and thought leaders in the sustainability field, sharing information on some of the interesting things Jacobs is exploring and most importantly find some common opportunities to accelerate sustainability practices.

What is next for Jacobs?

Sustainability lies at the heart of everything we do at Jacobs. It is how we ensure long-term business resilience and success while at the same time positively contributing toward a more connected, sustainable world.

We strive to make a positive environmental, societal and economic difference for businesses, governments and communities around the world — from the way we operate our business, to the work we perform with clients and other organizations. Our Plan Beyond Strategy is closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development goals where we, as a business, can influence and advance progress, and sets out how we are going to achieve our goals. For example, in FY2018, we reduced carbon emissions by more than 37 million tons in Value+ Savings on client projects, equivalent to a full year’s energy use by 4 million homes.

Our current priorities include integrating sustainability planning into our innovation framework and developing and launching a new global sustainability and resilience project framework. In doing so, we can advance innovations that improve energy efficiency, resilience, conservation, reuse and reclamation of vital air, land and water resources and build strong partnerships with clients, suppliers and stakeholders that deliver sustainable solutions.

Speak at ISCA Connect – 2019 IS Annual Conference

Speak at ISCA Connect – the 2019 IS Annual Conference | Melbourne, 15-17 October

Do you want to speak at ISCA Connect? We’re looking for speakers from our network and beyond. The conference shaping up to be our biggest yet, and is a unique opportunity to address the IS Community. It’s an opportunity to share, learn and connect.

The Process

We’re keeping it simple – if you’d like to speak, or know somebody that should, have a look at the topics below, and write a SHORT abstract. This should outline what you’ll be talking about and why it’s a topic the Australasian IS industry would like to hear about. Attaching supplementary attachments is recommended – videos of you speaking at other events, PowerPoint presentations (or PDFs) in relation to your topic, or any existing publications.

All abstracts must contain a short speaker bio, and a high-resolution headshot, for marketing purposes.

Please send your abstracts to events@isca.org.au by 9th August.

Themes and Topics

The themes are the titles below, the future of transport, social sustainability, circular economy, carbon neutrality, regional investment in communities, implementing new materials in infrastructure projects, and the innovation and impacts workshop. The bullet points below them are suggested topics within these themes.

Day 1, 15th October, is Infrastructure Sustainability Practitioner’s day – a half day dedicated to our ISAP community, in which attendees gain insights into wins and challenges from projects from planning through to operations. As yet, we do not have any themes for this – but if you would like to share technical insights into your project, this is the section for you.

The Future of Transport

  • Driverless cars/ vehicles
  • Legislative bodies involved in law around new transport innovations
  • Alternative mobility technology (e.g. passenger drones)
  • Alternate fuel types (hydrogen, EVs)
  • Mobility apps (Uber, Lime, Whim)
  • Data/ Cyber Security

Social Sustainability

  • Modern Slavery early implementation
  • Indigenous empowerment
  • Community Engagement
  • Refugee empowerment
  • LGBTQI inclusion
  • Gender Equality

Circular Economy

  • Policy and procurement frameworks for Circular economy
  • The business case for Circular economy
  • Circular & lifecycle design (projects/organisations)
  • Collaboration to drive the Circular economy (specifically – how people collaborate with different business units in organisations to drive Circular outcomes)
  • Circular futures I: how technology can turbocharge the Circular economy
  • Circular futures II: how a Circular economy framework can re-shape how we think about the built environment

Climate Change/ Carbon Neutrality

  • Major orgs who have committed to a Carbon Neutral date
  • Infrastructure Projects who have excelled in climate change mitigation
  • Economics of Climate Change
  • Climate Emergency
  • TCFD/ ASFI

Regional Investment in Communities

  • Projects/ people/ orgs making a difference in rural communities
  • Drought relief
  • Local employment and skills development

Implementing New Materials into infrastructure Projects

  • Project Manager perspective
  • Engineering academic perspective
  • Client / agency perspective
  • A supplier perspective

Innovation & Impacts Workshop

  • Innovative materials and manufacturing
  • Digital and Data
  • Geopoylmer concrete
  • Biofuels/Hydrogen
  • Technology
  • BIM
  • Just about anything innovative – technology, processes, materials

IS Practitioner’s Day

  • Planning; Design; As Built; Operations
  • Project Innovations
  • Project overviews and updates
  • Successful project processes and implementation of the IS Rating
  • Cost-benefit analyses – the value of sustainability

ISCA Impacts Report 2019

View the Report

The ISCA Impacts Report is a showcase of the infrastructure industry’s remarkable achievements in sustainability. The report documents the industry’s lifecycle impacts (energy, water and materials reductions), the number of sustainability innovations recorded, and the contribution towards a circular economy. There is also a collection of case studies and stories from some of the industry’s leading stakeholders, in ANZ and beyond.

Right across the infrastructure sector, from rail to waste water treatment, sustainable outcomes are a measured reality across most infrastructure projects in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ).  ISCA’s purpose is to accelerate sustainability through collaboration, and this year the industry has excelled once again from the positive through partnerships and teamwork.

Collaboration, community-based engagement and industry-wide partnerships have been integral to the immense successes across the infrastructure sustainability industry.

The infrastructure sector across ANZ has worked collectively to achieve some real wins for the past calendar year. Over these 12 months, 18 projects equating to 12.6bn of investment have created 1.29 million improved customer experiences. This translates to improved daily traffic on roads, higher capacity of passengers on rail networks, less energy usage across households and more. Outlining some of the great benefits IS has across a wide section of the community, the industry has seen high levels of job creation across the sector with a huge 15,900 jobs created through construction and operation phases of infrastructure projects. These results speak of the hard work and passion for sustainability that exists within the industry and with stakeholders.

Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have – the industry is now driving real outcomes and real change in society. The 2019 ISCA Impacts Report is a comprehensive documentation of the industry’s great achievements, for the benefit of all community members both now and in the future. ISCA’s purpose is to accelerate sustainability in infrastructure. This is achieved through partnerships with our broad base of members and stakeholders, as system and sector-wide change is only possible through collaboration. Your success is our success.

This report features contributions from:

  • Lendlease – Creating Better Places and Leaving Lasting Legacies
  • TransPod – Hyperloop development: 2019 and beyond
  • Western Program Alliance – Better together
  • Holcim – ViroDecs – a first for Ready-Mix concrete in Australia
  • Infrabuild – Contributing to the creation of Sustainable Infrastructure
  • Cardno – Meeting the Resourcing Challenge
  • Watercare – Building the Central Interceptor
  • Hydropoint – Delivering Renewable Drinking Water Across Australia

Sustainability: Saving The Planet AND Money

Implementing IS on T2T: Cost Benefit Assessment

 The ISCA Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Rating Scheme has provided a means of enabling performance monitoring and measuring of non-traditional project success factors and outcomes for the Torrens Road to Torrens River (T2T) project. This assessment describes the learnings and summarises the costs and benefits of implementing the IS rating scheme on the T2T project. 

Key findings:

  • Department Public Transport and Infrastructure’s (DPTI) trial of mandating verified IS Design and As-Built ratings as a contract requirement on T2T has been successful in creating a range of financial and non-financial benefits, which creates value for the State in the short and longer term, in addition to short term benefits to the T2T delivery consortium.
  • Establishing a Sustainability Key Result Area (pain share / gain share arrangement) linked to the achievement of verified IS rating scores (KPIs) has had success in driving contractor decision making behaviours beyond cost, programme, quality and safety.
  • The KRA gain share reward and capital savings from implementing two initiatives primarily driven by the IS rating (beyond contract and DPTI specifications) exceeded the total outturn costs for administering and resourcing the IS ratings and capital costs of those initiatives.
  • Significant OPEX savings to asset owners have been forecast from one of these initiatives.
  • Several non-financial benefits have been attributed to the specification and implementation of the IS rating process on T2T.

The project achieved an independently verified IS Design ‘Leading’ rating (v1.1) of 76.3 points and ‘Leading’ As-Built rating of 81.9 points, exceeding the KPI Exceptional score (maximum gain share target) of 66 IS points with significant sustainability outcomes. This is a notable achievement which would not have been attainable from BAU practices and standard DPTI specifications.

To optimise the value of sustainability and use of IS ratings on future projects, four recommendations are provided for the delivery consortium and ten recommendations are provided for DPTI, as contained in section 5 of this report.

Download T2T IS Cost Benefit Assessment

Chandler Woods | Member Profile

ChandlerWoods

Human resources, recruitment and consultancy agency providing high-quality talent management and people solutions to small and medium businesses.

What  does sustainability mean to ChandlerWoods? 

ChandlerWoods’ focus is on helping small to medium businesses develop into a viable long-term business through people practices that build a sustainable workforce for the future, rather than just implementing practices for here and now.

We see that it’s important that people can see a pathway for them to progress in their occupation and/or industry (e.g. Bricklayers – struggle to physically work for all of their lives).

In Australia, the Department of Jobs and Small Business has a growing list of professions with skill shortages. Many of these falls into the construction industry.

Since the GFC in 2007, investment in attracting and developing new people (Talent) into the construction industry has slowly grown but not at the pace the market requires. Coupled with a large part of the workforce (Baby Boomers) moving towards retirement, it creates pressures such as skills shortages where there are not enough skilled people to go around.

This inflates the cost for the Talent that is available creating a situation where retention of Talent becomes a challenge as competitors will pay more to secure a finite resource. (e.g. Cost of laying bricks has risen 67% over the last 5 years)

The solution is being able to attract people to these entry level roles into the construction industry and communicate there is flexibility in the workplace for them to transition to another role in the future where their experience and previous skills can add value and open new opportunities for them.

ChandlerWoods have extensive experience in developing programs and processes that help organisations and industry attract, retain and develop Talent.

Why did you become an ISCA member? 

ChandlerWoods were involved in drafting the credits for V2.0 Rating. From our HR and learning background we saw the opportunity of how the tool could help address the skills shortage challenges the construction industry is facing by the need to invest in people and people practices. We felt in order to drive Workforce Sustainability we needed to continue our association with ISCA as a member.

How have you benefited from being part of the IS Community? 

We have been able to have open conversations with organisations about sustainability from a people perspective and what impact it can have on their people by instilling a positive culture, ongoing learning, development, attraction and retention of their people.

We are starting to overcome the biggest obstacle we see, in getting companies to think about their people more strategically as a lot of construction companies think mostly from the perspective of what’s going to be beneficial in the immediate term. A big part of sustainability is shifting focus from short to long term goals, especially in human resourcing, the results from implementing sustainability measures won’t be fully visible in the short term.

What notable projects are you currently working on? 

We have been doing extensive work in the Services industry, helping small to medium business shift their HR processes to include sustainability people practices allowing them to continue their growth journey with a capable workforce driving that growth.

We do this by partnering with organisations to see what their main drivers or opportunities for growth, identifying people strategies that will drive long term sustainable business benefits with its workforce able to adapt to and be positioned to handle future work opportunities.

What does the future hold for ChandlerWoods? 

We see ourselves as a trusted partner for small to medium businesses. We can help improve workforce diversity in the construction industry and help address the issues around skills shortages and being able to retain and develop your best people.

In the construction industry there is a ticking timebomb where we have a lot of older workers from the baby boomer generation about to retire, with not enough new apprentices signing up to apprenticeships to fill that gap – which is especially large in NSW. There is not enough incentive for young people to move into the construction industry, so that’s why we want to put our focus on helping organisations to INVEST in attracting and building the capability they need to deliver their services rather than trying to BUY capability in an ever decreasing and competitive market.

By working closely with our customers, ChandlerWoods are helping to shape a sustainable workforce in Australia that can deliver on future opportunities.

If you think that ChandlerWoods can assist you then please contact Richard Brincat (Richard.Brincat@chandlerwoods.com.au) or visit www.chandlerwoods.com.au

2019 Infrastructure Sustainability Awards Judges

2019 Infrastructure Sustainability Judges

After another huge year of ratings, achievements and records, the 2019 Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Awards are set to be the largest to date. This year the Awards Gala Dinner will be hosted by Gretel Killeen and set in the splendour of the Crown Hotel’s Aviary in Melbourne. Six awards will be presented the 2019 leading people, projects and organisations in the industry;

1.     IS Individual Leadership Award

2.     IS Emerging Young Leader Award

3.     IS Innovation and Impact Award

4.     IS Organisational Leadership Award

5.     IS Outstanding Achievement Award (Design)

6.     IS Outstanding Achievement Award (As Built)

Four of the awards (Outstanding Achievement Awards are based on IS Rating score) will be scored by our hand-picked judging panel. The judges represent a diverse range of talents and experience – aside from a passion for sustainability, the panel covers expertise in; human rights, sustainable development goals, urban design and planning, smart cities, responsible procurement, social sustainbility and the wider built environment.

3MEET-THE-JUDGES.jpg

Patricia Garcia AO – United Nations Association Australia

Patricia is a highly- respected humanitarian and human rights advocate with experience in project design and delivery, campaigning and fundraising. She is a 2017 Rotary Peace Fellow and Honorary Associate at the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies SSPS, University of Sydney where she is a sessional lecturer on human rights and humanitarian practice including the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda. As the former Manager of the UNAA National SDGs Program which she established in 2017, Patricia continues to promote and advance the 2030 SDGs Agenda in Australia and internationally.

She has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2016 and was a finalist in the 2016 NSW Australian of the Year awards for her contribution and services to the international humanitarian aid and development sector over the past two decades.

Patricia has worked in some of the world’s longest running conflicts and complex humanitarian emergencies, including Afghanistan, Sudan, Bosnia and Burma, and with Rwandan refugees in the former Zaire in 1994, with organisations Austcare, Oxfam, Peace Winds Japan, German Agro Action, Norwegian Church Aid, UNHCR and UNOPS.

David Singleton AM – Former ISCA Chair

David Singleton seeks outcomes for a better world. He is one of Australia’s leading cities and infrastructure experts, with 40 plus years of experience, including 5 years as Arup’s CEO in Australia, 7 years as Arup’s global infrastructure leader and 7 years as Chairman of Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia. Five times one of Engineers Australia’s 100 Most Influential Engineers, David is a respected thought leader, expert advisor to academia, governments and global businesses on resilient leadership and practice, specialising in sustainable solutions for the infrastructure and built environment sectors.

David undertakes a number of roles in relation to smart cities and is currently Chairman of Swinburne University’s Smart Cities Research Institute Advisory Board, where he helps to improve the liveability, productivity & resilience of Australian communities through smart cities, sustainability in infrastructure and key city shaping projects.

Suzanne Toumbourou – ASBEC

Suzanne Toumbourou is the Executive Director of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, a body of peak organisations committed to a vision of more sustainable, productive and resilient buildings, communities and cities. Suzanne’s passion and expertise lies in communication, collaboration and an inclusive agenda for a sustainable Australia.

Suzanne hopes that there will be an increased market appetite for sustainable energy efficient building in the future, with a vision of creating buildings that are more comfortable and healthier to live and work in.

Suzanne has worked as the Executive Officer for Getup! and the Australian Conservation Foundation, harnessing her passion for sustainability to drive for genuine and broad sustainability inputs and outcomes across her work.

Sean Barnes – Akina Foundation

Sean Barnes is Director of Social Procurement with the Ākina Foundation in Aotearoa-New Zealand. His role is leading the Fwd: procurement programme and providing advisory services to support business, social enterprise and Government agencies in the areas of procurement, strategy and sustainability. Sean is passionate about realising the potential for business to deliver positive social and environmental impact and connecting people and ideas to lead change.

Sean has significant experience in leadership and executive roles in NZ and Australia with both the private and public sector, holds a Ph.D. in Chemical and Process Engineering, and is a Chartered Member of Engineering New Zealand. He also is a Trustee of the Engineering NZ Foundation.

SUBMISSIONS OPEN 10th JULY 

Workshop: The Modern Slavery Act in Practice

The Modern Slavery Act in Practice – Strategies & Processes for Action

29th August | Sydney

by The Supply Chain Sustainability School, GHD & ISCA

The Modern Slavery Acts now apply to companies with a turnover over $50M in NSW and revenue over $100M across Australia. What does this mean for the construction, infrastructure and property sectors and how does it play out on the ground?

This half-day workshop showcases how leaders in the sector are preparing for the requirements of the Act and implementing change throughout their supply chain for greater transparency as well as raising awareness of human rights and modern slavery issues.

Through case studies, a panel discussion and peer-to-peer learning we will dive into the strategies, processes and actions required to shift practices to a new level, towards the eradication of modern slavery up and down our supply chains.

This event is particularly relevant for procurement, compliance, risk, sustainability and project management roles.

We aim to provide you with a greater understanding of the new Modern Slavery Legislation, what it means for Australian government, business and industry through providing –

  • detailed knowledge from industry leaders on how their Modern Slavery Strategy has been implemented across various business units and how this plays out in practice
  • an understanding of the Modern Slavery Reporting Requirements, public procurement implications and longer term challenges and opportunities
  • connection to industry experts and the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals
  • knowledge of where to find more information, support and guidance.

Hear from a wide range of guest speakers and facilitators including –

  • Leon Olsen – Technical Director & Team Leader – Sustainability, GHD
  • Deepen Somaiya – Procurement Manager – Infrastructure, Transurban
  • Robin Mellon – CEO, Better Sydney
  • Francesca Muskovic – National Policy Manager – Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs, Property Council of Australia
  • Anne-Marie Kirkman – Technical Director, Engagement, Communications and Communities, GHD
  • Ainsley Simpson – CEO, Infrastructure Sustainability Council Australia
  • Måns Carlsson-Sweeney – Head of ESG Research at Ausbil Investment Management Limited
  • Andrew Hogben – Procurement Manager, Mirvac
  • Petie Walker – General Manger, Stockland
  • Hayley Jarick – CEO, Supply Chain Sustainability School

With more speakers yet to be announced.

Register here