The City Rail Link (CRL) has broken through construction and infrastructure industry norms to win New Zealand’s highest sustainability accolade at the 2018 NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards.
Garry Taylor, executive general manager NZI, the principal partner of the awards, said the City Rail Link project was a deserving winner of the NZI Transforming New Zealand Award as it was evident that it put sustainability at the core of every decision.
“As New Zealand’s largest civil infrastructure project, it is leading the change in the way infrastructure projects are designed and delivered.
“The project has proven the infrastructure industry can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts while developing Auckland’s much-needed public transport system. This will result in ongoing reduction in both congestion and carbon emissions,” Taylor said.
CRL’s approach was to calculate the projected whole-of-life footprint of the project. Initiatives were identified through exploring alternative construction methodologies and designs, running resource reduction workshops and undertaking detailed footprinting of alternatives.
So far, activities from the first two contracts have saved more than 2000 tonnes of carbon from construction, and more than 14,000 tonnes of carbon from operations. There has been a 25% reduction in construction water use, and a 50% reduction in operational water use at Britomart station. Ninety-five per cent of construction and demolition waste has been diverted from landfill through recycling or re-use.
According to Rachel Brown, chief executive of the Sustainable Business Network, New Zealand’s construction industry contributed 40% of the total waste going to landfill in Auckland.
She said CRL had proven this no longer had to be the case.
“To have the largest civil infrastructure project ever built in New Zealand start with a goal of zero waste means CRL has the potential to show the wider sector the real value of integrating best practice throughout design and construction. The City Rail Link will help demonstrate how New Zealand can move to a low carbon, circular and more accessible city.”
On behalf of NZI, Garry Taylor said he wanted to congratulate those involved with the City Rail Link project on their outstanding achievement and thank them for their contribution to a more sustainable New Zealand.
“We’ve been a foundation partner of the Sustainable Business Network for over a decade and each year we see award winners who continue to revolutionise the business landscape as we know it.
“The City Rail Link exhibits best practice that provides an excellent model for other businesses to follow. We’re thrilled to play a part in recognising their tremendous efforts.”