Sustainability and Infrastructure

November 2011

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From the Editor

Welcome to the launch edition of Sustainability and Infrastructure magazine!

Towards a sustainable Australia

by the Hon. Tony Burke, MP, Federal Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities

Welcome to the first edition of Sustainability and Infrastructure magazine.

Ingenuity in infrastructure

by the Hon. Anthony Albanese, MP, Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

When I was asked to contribute to the first edition of Sustainability and Infrastructure, the Snowy Mountain Hydroelectricity Scheme immediately sprang to mind.

From the Chair

by Deane Belfield, National Chair, SSEE

This first edition of the new-look Society for Sustainability and Environmental Engineering (SSEE) magazine, Sustainability and Infrastructure, signifies a milestone for SSEE.

SSEE Chapter Reports

State and territory chapter reports from the Society for Sustainability and Environmental Engineering.

The Escaping Silos experience

by Gloria Vega, Business Consultant, GHD Economics & Policy and Chair of the SSEE 2011 International Conference

Executives and practitioners at the forefront of sustainable business models in the engineering sector are taking part in the SSEE 2011 International Conference, Escaping Silos, being held from 24–26 October at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

All aboard for SSEE’s natural energy sources tour

by Adrian Piani, ACT Manager, URS Australia and Chair, SSEE ACT chapter

To celebrate Engineering Week 2011, the Australian Capital Territory Chapter of the SSEE co-ordinated a special bus trip for members to visit some of the key sustainable power projects around Canberra.

Members and Memos

Ray Anderson, a leading spokesperson for environmental protection and the founder and chairman of Interface Inc., passed away on 8 August 2011.

GSP establishes industry marketing solutions division

Australian industry publisher Great Southern Press has created a new department to help those involved in the engineering, construction and sustainable services industries to market their green credentials.

Engineering environmentally sound buildings

With rising energy costs, the financial, organisational and environmental gains from green buildings are too significant to ignore. As well as fiscal incentives to improve building energy efficiency, building owners have to accommodate the fact that tenants and investors are increasingly seeking healthier and more efficient places to live and work.

Spotlight on: sustainability at SKM

Sinclair Knight Merz, an Australian-based firm with a global scope for engineering and project delivery, has mobilised a number of sustainable infrastructure initiatives that demonstrate the lessons learnt on the move to a greener organisational future.

Making water management Young again

Newly-appointed Sydney Water Managing Director Kevin Young is an experienced engineer with a passion for leadership. Mr Young talks with Sustainability and Infrastructure’s Melanie Ryan about the challenges and opportunities he faces to develop new projects in New South Wales.

Waterways meet urban development in the wild west

Water issues in the Murray Shire in Western Australia pose many challenges to urban development in the region. The Murray Drainage and Water Management Plan, developed by the Western Australian Government, has been implemented to address these challenges through the introduction of new techniques for water management.

Mastering microtunnelling for a better water pipeline

Microtunnelling, an innovative ‘trenchless’ technique for constructing underground water infrastructure, brings benefits to a project without disrupting or damaging a local ecosystem. Completion of Stage 2 of the Northern Pipeline Interconnector involved the use of microtunnelling through Pringle Hill, Queensland.

Infrastructure Australia: reforming regional water

Infrastructure Australia recently commissioned an audit of the quality and security of water supplies in regional Australia. The audit identified concerns that in many regional towns, water quality does not always meet health standards and planning for water security is often inadequate.

Australian industry earns a bright new star

by Matthew Clark, Director of Water and Energy Programs, New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage

In an important milestone for both the NABERS program and the Australian property industry, the NABERS rating scale has been extended from 5 to 6 stars.

Greening a wharf

The latest stage in a long-term strategy to redevelop the Sydney Theatre Company’s heritage headquarters has shown that with a little creativity and innovation, ageing port infrastructure can be renewed as a clean energy hub.

Local councils taking the lead

Sustainable infrastructure is becoming a major focus for many local councils across Australia. Here, Sustainability and Infrastructure highlights some local councils that have been awarded for their sustainable progress and development, such as the installation of solar panels on council buildings, and liaising with local business about a sustainable way forward.

Clean energy shines in Queensland

by Isabella Andres

Engineers and contractors are paying close attention to the renewable energy sector in Queensland, where the growth of clean power sources and increased industry focus on environmental protection has produced a boom in jobs across all phases of project planning, development, construction and operation.

Save on energy, save on costs

A newly-built 15,000 square metre resort facility at the RACV Healesville Country Club in Victoria has demonstrated that a business can both significantly reduce its environmental impacts and yield long-term operational savings.

Airport project flying the flag for sustainability

by Melanie Ryan

The first stage of a significant redevelopment of Perth Airport will see the principles of sustainability implemented at all levels, from architecture and design to the energy-efficient power and water sources.

Taking the initiative at Ichthys

When complete, the proposed Ichthys gas field project will be the largest oil and gas facility in the Northern Territory. Progress thus far, and that planned for the future, incorporates engineering techniques and research initiatives that have helped the project’s developers to meet environmental standards and receive government approval.

Long-term frameworks for the public

by Michael Shaw, Vice President of Building Technologies, Siemens

Sustainability in civil infrastructure means meeting economic, ecological and social responsibilities, by thinking and acting for the long term.

Driving a brave new world

The Australian Green Infrastructure Council is spearheading the development of a national sustainability rating scheme to promote innovation and social, economic and environmental performance in the design, construction and operation of new and upgraded infrastructure assets.

Overcoming resistance in business

by Andrew Petersen, Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Business Australia

Recently-appointed Chief Executive for Sustainable Business Australia, Andrew Petersen, updates Sustainability and Infrastructure on the outlook for changing minds and practices within Australian businesses to meet the challenges of resource scarcity and environmental management.

From strength to strength: industry updates

Updates on the project and program work of some of the key peak bodies working towards a better built environment for Australia, as 2011 ends and 2012 begins.