Our approach

Through our ongoing commitment to sustainability, we aim to deliver lasting benefits to the environment, our clients and the communities we serve.

In pursuing our vision ‘to strengthen communities through transport’ we focus on identifying and implementing initiatives that align with the three pillars of our sustainability strategy:

  • Be good neighbours
  • Use less
  • Think long term

These extend beyond our sustainability program and are fundamental to our day-to-day business activities as well as our long-term objectives.

Be good neighbours

We seek to be a good neighbour by following two approaches:

  • improving transport infrastructure by anticipating and responding to the need of communities and customers when planning, designing, delivering and operating road assets
  • supporting social investment initiatives that benefit communities in the areas in which we operate

Our social investment initiatives aim to increase the wellbeing of communities located near our road networks, with a particular focus on enhancing social inclusion and improving mobility. Current and past examples include:

  • an Australian community grants program
  • driver training programs in partnership with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and Police-Citizens Youth Club
  • supporting meaningful employment and mentoring programs to help disadvantaged people overcome barriers to employment
  • a program to increase employment opportunities for veterans
  • Out & About family days to encourage accessibility for people with disabilities
  • public event sponsorships
  • a volunteering program that sees many of our empolyees volunteer for their preferred charity, helping address a range of social and environmental issues

Read more about our work with local communities

Use less

We’re continually challenging ourselves to use less and minimise the impact our roads, tunnels, offices and construction projects have on the environment.

We’ve set the goal of reducing our energy use by 10% in ten years (10 in 10), from a 2013 baseline. To achieve this, we're working on a range of initiatives and pilot projects. These include:

  • using solar panels and Green Power on a number of our assets
  • sustainability ratings for motorway control centres
  • selecting an energy-efficient, NABERS 5-star rated building for our Melbourne headquarters, with the fitout and operations of our office also being awarded five stars
  • installing LED lights on CityLink’s Bolte Bridge in Melbourne, retrofitting LED lights for shared path lighting and exploring the use of extensive LED lighting on new tunnel assets

Read more about our 10 in 10 energy-reduction target

As a road network builder and operator we consider waste management a key issue. We set performance standards for contractors that address waste avoidance, the use of recycled materials and minimising waste to landfill.

In addition, there are programs in place in our offices and other workplaces to capture recyclables and divert them from landfill.

Think long term

As owners and operators of transport assets that will remain in the community for years to come, we need to think long term about how we can continue to improve the liveability of our cities.

In all of our operations, we’re working with our partners to ensure the future of transport is efficient, safe and sustainable.

We are doing this through:

  • working with contractors to establish sustainability plans and targets around resource management, energy use, and local purchasing and hiring
  • roadside rejuvenation projects in partnership with Landcare to restore the environmental and community value of disused roadside land
  • innovation grants for projects that address transport and infrastructure challenges

We're also continuing to improve transport networks to support the growth and well-being of our cities.

Infrastructure sustainability

We are a member of the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia and use the Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating tool to help drive sustainability on new Australian roads in both the design and construction phases.

NorthConnex (NSW) was awarded a ‘Leading’ Design Rating. The Gateway Upgrade North (QLD) and Citylink Tulla Widening (VIC) projects have both been awarded ‘Excellent’ Design Ratings.

We are currently working with our contractors to undertake IS ratings on the Logan Enhancement Project (QLD) and West Gate Tunnel Project (VIC).

Listings

As a result of our approach to sustainability we have been listed on the following global indices: