The Infrastructure Sustainability Council Awards 2023, held on 7 September in Melbourne, revealed exciting industry trends, showcasing the pivotal actions advancing sustainability in the infrastructure sector of Australia and New Zealand.
ISC Chief Executive Officer Ainsley Simpson said the awards continue the Council’s well established tradition of driving best practice, acknowledging leadership and recognising role models.
“These awards embody our commitment to enabling sustainable best practice in the infrastructure sector. “By celebrating organisations that prioritise environmental, social, governance and economic outcomes, we drive market transformation for a better future,” Ms. Simpson said.
The award winners and their projects
Excellence in Governance Award: The North Western Program Alliance (NWPA) for the Preston Level Crossing Removal Project
Completed in 2022, the complex rail infrastructure upgrade successfully removed four level crossings and constructed two kilometres of elevated rail viaduct.
Additionally, it established two premium stations and precincts while creating extensive open spaces in Melbourne’s inner north.
Excellence in Economic Award: The South West Gateway Alliance (SWGA) for its work on the Bunbury Outer Ring Road (BORR) project
SWGA led the project in partnership with Main Roads Western Australia (MRWA), focusing on sustainable industry goals that promote local economic growth and engagement.
SWGA’s approach centred on procurement and local business engagement, fostering collaboration with local businesses, organisations and government agencies. This approach has created opportunities for social and economic improvements in the South West region.
Excellence in Social Award: The South West Gateway Alliance (SWGA) for their Yaka Dandjoo program linked to the Bunbury Outer Ring Road (BORR) project
The Yaka Dandjoo program is dedicated to establishing meaningful career pathways for unemployed and job-transitioning individuals.
It has a special focus on youth, women, individuals over 45 and Aboriginal people.
Excellence in Environmental Award: The HSA Group (John Holland, Seymour Whyte, AECOM) in collaboration with the project proponent The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR)
This achievement is for The Cairns Southern Access Corridor Stage 3: Edmonton to Gordonvale (E2G) project, which focused on emissions reduction and circular economy initiatives.
The project introduced a new approach to construction through the use of a Concrete Extruding Slipform Paver and the substitution of 100% recycled plastic fibre reinforcement for steel.
Private Sector Industry Impact Award: ACCIONA for its contributions to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) within Australia and New Zealand
ACCIONA’s initiatives include a Gender-Neutral Parental Leave Policy, offering benefits like part-time work at full pay from the 26th week of pregnancy.
Public Sector Industry Impact Award: The Office of Major Transport Infrastructure Delivery (OMTID) for its role in driving sustainable change within the transportation industry
Combining teams from Main Roads Western Australia (MRWA) and the Public Transport Authority (PTA), OMTID oversees the delivery of large-scale transport projects exceeding $100 million.
Emerging Leader Award – Individual Contribution to a Sustainable Future: Alyssa Slaney, Project Sustainability Manager at Laing O’Rourke
Alyssa’s impact on the Central Station Metro project resulted in a number of milestones, including a world-leading 6-Star Green Star Design Review for Sydney Metro assets at Central Station.
Enduring Impact Award– Individual Contribution to a Sustainable Future: Link Alliance Social Outcomes Legacy Manager Berenize Peita
Through her leadership, with the support of CRL Mana Whenua partners, Berenize has elevated te ao Māori (the Māori world) as a valued part of the Link Alliance’s operational approach.
Outstanding Achievement Award– Sustainability Leadership: Parramatta Connect (a joint venture between CPB Contractors and Downer EDI), for The Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 – Infrastructure Contact.
The project established a 12-kilometre, two-way track connecting Westmead to Carlingford, featuring 16 stops and 12 new or refurbished bridges.
Highly Commended Projects
John Holland CPB Contractors Joint Venture (JHCPB) received a highly commended mention for the Excellence in Social award. The Rozelle Interchange Project and Western Harbour Tunnel Southern Tunnel Works has driven positive social inclusion through its Aboriginal Participation in Construction Program (APiC).
Metro Trains Melbourne received a highly commended mention for Excellence in Social award for their Biosite Management Program. The industry-leading initiative works to improve and maintain the condition of 30 biosites of significance that contain threatened flora and fauna.
CYP Design & Construction (CYP D&C) has been highly commended for the Excellence in Environmental award for their Metro Tunnel Project. In collaboration with the University of Melbourne, Holcim Australia and Vortex Industrial Solutions, CYP D&C is supporting an innovative research study. This includes field trials of the use of recycled crushed glass as a virgin sand replacement in structural concrete.
Australian Spatial Analytics & Ventia has been highly commended for the Industry Impact award. What began as an NBN design and as-built contract between ASA and Ventia has blossomed into a comprehensive partnership.