Sustainability is a key consideration during all stages of construction on the Bunbury Outer Ring Road project. With the aim to receive a silver Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) rating. This rating system evaluates the economic, social, and environmental performance of infrastructure across its planning, design, construction, and operation phases.

In January 2023, a major milestone as reached when the main project office in Picton switched to being powered by 100 per cent renewable energy. Solar-powered lighting has also recently been installed in the car park.

(The BORR construction offices in Picton)

A sustainability commitment was set that required at least 10 per cent of the electricity used at the main site office to come from renewable energy. With these upgrades, the project has considerably exceeded this requirement, bringing it closer to achieving the desired ISC rating.

Another key achievement occurred last year when one of the BORR project's major suppliers, Hanson Construction Materials, obtained an Environmental Product Declaration (EDP) for the concrete mixes being used on the project. An EDP is a certification provided by a third party and covers the production of around 30,000 cubic metres of concrete for the project. The use of products with an EDP on the project also contributes to the ISC rating.

“The EDP obtained by Hanson gives our team certainty about the environmental impact of the products we are using on the project,” said Tim, Sustainability Manager for the South West Gateway Alliance.

“It also helps us to make the best decisions during the procurement process to ensure that we are choosing the option with the lowest impact.”

Other sustainability activities on the project include salvaging valuable vegetation from areas for reuse on the project, partnering with local nurseries, and developing a BORR specific crushed rock base course process. Find out more in the BORR Innovative Process News.

(A Hanson truck on site delivering concrete)