Environmental Sustainability
We bring to the early planning of new projects a considerable background of successful development and implementation of leading-edge environmental practices.
Further, our certified Environmental Management System demands that we strive for continual improvement. We will be expanding the concept of sustainable development to all areas of new projects, including exploring innovative solutions in the following areas:
a) Water Sensitive Urban Design
We apply the latest water sensitive urban design principles to the design of the trunk water based infrastructure. This is done in collaboration with clients, the public authorities and developers.
b) Life Cycle Assessment
Where appropriate we apply the Life Cycle Assessment approach to the design of infrastructure to minimise the environmental impact of the infrastructure. This will also address the environmental aspects of specified materials, the environmental practices of suppliers (e.g. pipe manufacture, pipe bedding materials, concrete supply, pumps and electrics, building materials etc) and constructors. This includes reducing the embodied energy and operational energy of all infrastructure.
c) Supply Chain Environmental Management
We will review and improve the environmental management practices of our own operations and our suppliers including consultants (legal, environmental, engineering, property, survey), main contractors and subcontractors, material and equipment suppliers and financial advisors and lenders. This includes: energy, material use, waste management, transport, land use, landscape, ecology and biodiversity, Aboriginal and European cultural heritage, water quality and quantity, stakeholder relations, noise and nuisance to neighbours.
d) Key Performance Indicators
We establish Key Performance Indicators and targets for all key environmental aspects and monitor and report against them during a project.
e) Energy Footprint
During design and construction we will seek to minimise the energy used in constructing the Project works and the energy likely to be used during the operation of the infrastructure. We will also investigate the possibility of minimising the Project’s energy footprint by utilising energy offsets (e.g. forest planting) and the use of green power.
Currently, the best opportunity for large scale water recycling is in new suburbs where recycled water pipelines can be constructed at the same time as drinking water mains. This is often referred to as dual reticulation, meaning two sets of pipes – one for drinking water and one for recycled water.