2012 ANNUAL REPORT

Key Performance Indicators

Note: Emissions calculated as per Department of Environment and Conservation requirements which align to the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007.

Introduction

Our commitment to responsibly managing our road operations is established through a corporate Environmental Policy, which addresses the principles of protecting environmental values, minimising impacts, energy use and waste, and conserving natural resources. The Environmental Policy is implemented throughout the organisation via management systems and processes. Our Environmental Policy Statement can be found on our website. Our environmental objectives are as follows:

• Implement a systems-based approach to environmental management
• Seek full compliance with all statutory environmental requirements
• Maintain or improve the biodiversity values of roadsides
• Minimise the impacts of noise associated with the road network
• Protect Aboriginal heritage values of road reserves
• Minimise the environmental impacts of materials used in road construction
• Maximise the efficiency of resources used by Main Roads
• Minimise impacts of roads on water quality.

Achievements

Managing Director's Sustainability Awards

The “How Sustainable Are You” competition is run as part of Sustainable September where entrants are asked to give examples of how they have supported sustainability and what the benefits were. The following were recognised for their efforts:

• Individual – Amy Walton and Tom Engelke for demonstrating a committed effort to supporting sustainability at home through recycling and energy efficiency.
• Project – Metropolitan ISA demonstrated a committed effort to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption through the introduction of a dual battery system on their trucks.
• Branch or Region – Wheatbelt North Region demonstrated a commitment to sustainability in their projects and workplace through their recycling practices.

Property Management

Our commitment to improving environmentally sustainable performance in our offices, depots and housing has continued during the year. While we seek further improvements in the management of energy and water resources across our existing facilities, we are also building sustainability characteristics into new construction and refurbishment projects. Examples of this can be seen in the inclusion of solar power to recently completed residential projects; the adoption of thermally insulated wall and roof panels into designs for a new laboratory; and the trial of LED panels with a view to inclusion into an office refurbishment.  Implementation and monitoring of these trial sites will continue and proven trials will be adopted as new standards.

Environmental Management of Road Projects

Environmental impact assessment is integrated into the road project planning and development process. Early screening indicates where preliminary impact assessment is needed, which then determines the need for detailed field investigations. Where impacts are likely to be significant, then referral to State or Commonwealth regulators occurs in accordance with statutory assessment and approval processes.

The table below indicates the number of road projects and assessment type. There were four instances of non-compliances this year. Three of them relate to the clearing of native vegetation while one concerns an Aboriginal heritage site.

Aboriginal Heritage

Planning and assessment of road projects includes researching Aboriginal heritage sites in the vicinity. Consultation with Traditional Owners, Native Title groups and the Department of Indigenous Affairs are important early steps in considering potential impacts. On-site meetings with community representatives also occur in order to understand the significance of heritage in an area and to avoid site disturbance wherever possible. This year, 35 formal meetings took place.

Carbon Reduction Plan-Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

We have developed a Carbon Reduction Plan and Target (5-15% reduction of 2010 levels by 2020) for our Scope One and Two emissions and have finalised a Climate Change Adaptation Plan for our business. Details of various initiatives and achievements that reduce our emissions and energy consumption can be found on our website under the Climate Change section.