Our Sustainable Approach and Defining Materiality

This year marks one year since we released our new Sustainability Policy helping us to establish a clear set of principles focusing on creating lasting benefits socially, economically and environmentally. The policy reflects a maturity gained and is now aligned with the sustainability focus and outcomes identified in Keeping WA Moving. The policy was developed in consultation with our portfolio partners and industry stakeholders. It is underpinned by six key aspects which were guided by our policy objective, and these key aspects are considered material.

Key Aspects:

  • Sustainable transport
  • Climate change
  • Environmental footprint
  • Behaviour
  • Governance and performance
  • Funding and financing

Over the last year we engaged with internal and external stakeholders to develop supporting actions, key areas for employee development and key metrics to measure performance as we ensure our policy drives and guides our future direction. Further information on our approach to sustainability, including the updated policy, can be found on our website.


Defining materiality

We ensure the relevance and validity of all areas of our business and stakeholder relations through a biennial desktop materiality review, with results reported to the Corporate Executive. The review draws from our corporate and legislative commitments, key risks, corporate stakeholder engagement processes, media and Ministerial topics, and our peers’ reporting practices. We have prepared this matrix in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) ‘Core’ and the requirements specified in the Public Sector Commission’s Annual Reporting Framework. A GRI Content Index is available for reference.

Addressing our most important material issues

Following describes our top material issues and our management approach to addressing them. For further information of how these topics relate to GRI refer to the GRI Content Index on our website.

Road Safety
Western Australia is the worst performing mainland Australian state with 7.03 road deaths per 100,000 population; over 40% above the national average. We believe no one should die or be seriously injured on the State's road network, and we will manage the network to minimise the likelihood of road trauma to all road users.

Resources and Relationships affected by this issue
Customers, Network Performance, Assets, Our People and Know-how

Congestion and Freight Productivity
It is one of our core objectives to reduce the impacts to our community and economy from congestion on the road network and provide better access for our freight customers.

Resources and relationships affected by this issue
Customers, Network Performance, Assets, Our People and Know-how

Good public policy
As a Statutory Authority it relies on our resources and know-how to ensure that we have clear, transparent and strong governance approaches that prevent undue influence in the administration of our role and ensure swift, efficient and effective implementation of government policies and strategies.

Resources and relationships affected by this issue
Customers, Assets, Our People and Know-how

Value for Money
We must make the most effective use of the government funding we receive to deliver our services to the community.

Resources and relationships affected by this issue
Customers, Assets, Our People, Know-how, Financial capital

Workforce Safety & Health
Our work environment means that our people, our suppliers and partners and our customers often interface with the road environment, moving traffic and heavy machinery in order to deliver our services.

Resources and relationships affected by this issue
Customers, Our People, Know-how, Assets, Network Performance

Biodiversity
Our actions have the potential to cause negative environmental impacts to our unique environment. Our State is widely recognised as having unique and special flora and fauna species, which can be impacted by our operations and our road network can transect sensitive and protected environmental areas.

Resources and relationships affected by this issue
Natural Resources, Our People, Know-how, Assets, Customers

Regional Presence & Development
We operate across a vast and isolated State and our rural operations can have significant impacts on regional towns’, communities and their economies.

Resources and relationships affected by this issue Customers, Our People, Know-how, Assets, Financial capital

Compliance with Environmental Legislation
Our activities may be subject to State and Federal Environmental Legislation and in some circumstances our projects depend upon being granted environmental approvals to proceed. We may face penalties, reputational damage or lose stakeholder and community confidence if we do not comply with our environmental obligations.

Resources and relationships affected by this issue
Natural Resources, Our People, Know-how, Assets, Financial capital, Customers

Local Communities
Our works and operations have significant impacts to the communities that live and work within their proximity. Acquisition of property, noise and business continuity are examples of issues that need to be carefully managed, require stakeholder engagement and impact us being good neighbours.

Resources and relationships affected by this issue
Customers, Our People, Know-how, Assets