Managing the Environment
Committed to responsible environmental stewardship
Aim
We are committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environmental and social values in all our activities
Approach
Our staff and others working on our behalf will:
- Recognise the importance of the natural environmental and social values and the broader benefits that these values provide to the community
- Foster strategic relationships with community and other stakeholders to contribute to the management of environmental values
- Facilitate environmental governance of our activities to deliver broad community benefit through the inclusion of environmental requirements in planning, programming, constructing and maintaining processes
- Communicate publicly our environmental policy and our environmental performance.
Key Performance Indicators
Target achieved
Not achieved - action is being taken
On watch
Target
| Status | Level Of Achievement |
|---|---|
| % Environmental Management System compliance audits completed |
|
| % State-wide clearing permit (CPS 818 and 817) audits completed |
|
| Scope 1 and 2 Emissions (t CO2) |
|
| Community Perception of sustainability |
|
Looking Ahead
- Revising our state-wide clearing permit with the aim to improve the quality of assessment and the timeliness of processing. Any changes to the permit conditions will need to be publicly advertised before approval by the Minister
- Improving environmental management in our maintenance activities and in our projects by improving our environmental specifications and requirements
- Reviewing opportunities to minimise clearing in highly cleared landscapes whilst delivering safety improvements along the road network
- Increasing support and training in protecting Aboriginal heritage values, reflecting the high risks associated with our activities
- Developing the environmental module of EQ Safe, an electronic incident management system that will improve root cause analysis of incidents and non-conformance, and allow live dashboards of environmental and safety data to be produced
- Developing sustainability performance measures
- Continuing with adoption and deployment of the Infrastructure Sustainability Ratings tool
Our Unique Environment
As managers of the State Road Network we acknowledge that our actions have the potential to cause negative environmental impacts to Western Australia’s unique environment. Our state is widely recognised as having unique and special flora and fauna species, which can be impacted by our operations. Significant numbers of threatened species are located or have habitats within the road reserve, as shown in the following table.
Number of Threatened Species with Habitats Located in the Main Roads Road Reserve
| IUCN Classification | Flora | Fauna | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critically Endangered | 31 | 2 | 33 |
| Endangered | 24 | 14 | 38 |
| Vulnerable | 27 | 25 | 52 |
| Near Threatened | 530 | 35 | 565 |
| Total | 612 | 76 | 688 |
Data for flora was obtained from Western Australian Herbarium and Threatened Priority Flora records maintained by the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPAW) in June 2017. Data for fauna species was obtained from the state Threatened Fauna records maintained by DPAW in June 2017. Note that the majority of near threatened flora and fauna species are not recorded or reported. None of the flora and fauna species of least concern (i.e. no ranking) have been reported here.
| The IUCN classification is based on the following state and Commonwealth classification of flora and fauna | ||
|---|---|---|
| IUCN Red List Ranking | State Classification As listed under the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 |
Commonwealth Classification As listed under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1986 (Cwlth) |
| Critically Endangered | Critically endangered | Critically endangered |
| Endangered | Endangered | Endangered |
| Vulnerable | Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
| Near Threatened | Priority 1, Priority 2, Priority 3 and Priority 4 | No ranking |
| Least Concern | No ranking | No ranking |
Our road network also transects sensitive and protected environmental areas such as: wetlands of international importance (Ramsar wetlands); threatened and priority ecological communities; environmentally sensitive areas; Department of Parks and Wildlife managed areas; remnant areas of poorly represented native vegetation; Bush Forever Sites and habitat for three protected black cockatoo species; and areas with Baudin’s Black Cockatoo, Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo and the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo. To view maps of these environmentally sensitive and protected areas in relation to our roads please refer to our website.
Approach to Minimising our Impacts
We manage our operations using a systematic approach in which all our activities are screened for potential environmental impacts. Environmental impacts can include the positive or negative changes to the physical (that is, land, water and air), biological ( flora and fauna), cultural ( Aboriginal and European heritage and culture), socio-economic and human-health values of our environment.
Activities that have the potential to cause a negative environmental impact are investigated in further detail through an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to identify the type and extent of likely changes that the activity will have on the environment. Recommendations identified by the EIA are incorporated into an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) which is tailored to the proposed actions and the environmental values at risk. An EMP outlines the conditions under which the actions will be undertaken to ensure that impacts are avoided, minimised and reduced as much as possible.
An Offset Proposal is developed for actions that are likely to have significant residual environmental impacts that cannot be avoided. Offset Proposals outline the offsite actions that will be implemented to provide an overall environmental benefit to counterbalance the negative environmental consequences of the action. Offset Proposals are specific to the environmental values being impacted and are implemented in perpetuity.
Where the environmental impacts are likely to be significant, we refer our projects to the relevant regulators of assessment. The regulator will decide whether to assess the project. Where the regulator does not assess the project, it is implemented in accordance with the relevant EMP and Offset Proposal if required. Where the regulator does assess the project, it is subject to a comprehensive EIA and may be open to extensive public and community consultation. We do not implement those projects assessed by the regulators until they are approved and the relevant approval conditions have been met.
Aboriginal Heritage
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of Western Australia’s lands and aim to protect Aboriginal cultural values wherever possible. We seek to achieve full compliance with statutory requirements and have developed an Aboriginal heritage process that ensures compliance with Western Australia’s Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. We also work closely with other state government agencies including the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and the Department of Premier and Cabinet to ensure strong Aboriginal heritage processes are established and followed.
We aim to avoid, minimise and reduce impacts to Aboriginal heritage sites wherever practicable. All our activities are screened for potential impacts in compliance with Due Diligence Guidelines using our internal Aboriginal Heritage Risk Assessment. We value the input and contribution of traditional owners and seek, via site surveys and other consultation processes, their advice and opinions regarding potential impacts. In our endeavour to protect Aboriginal cultural values we also liaise with other stakeholders including Prescribed Body Corporates, Native Title Representative Bodies, other Aboriginal Corporations and direct engagement with relevant community groups and traditional owners’ informants. Where it is not possible to avoid an impact on an Aboriginal site, Main Roads seeks consent to undertake works from the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act.
How We Stay On Track and Accountable
Environmental Policy
Our Environmental Policy establishes principles of environmental protection, impact-minimisation, conservation of natural resources and commitment to enhanced environmental performance. It is implemented throughout the organisation through management systems and processes.
The key objectives outlined in our policy are:
- Deliver our services in full compliance with the obligations of environmental legislation and policy, as a minimum standard
- Manage environmental impacts of our activities through the hierarchy of avoid, minimise, rehabilitate and offset
- Contribute to a sustainable transport system through the delivery of products and services that minimise environmental impacts, conserve natural resources and also achieve positive social and economic outcomes
- Implement, maintain and continually improve an effective environmental management system compliant with ISO 14001:2015 across Main Roads activities.
Environmental Management System
Our Environmental Management System (EMS) covers our processes and activities that have the potential to impact on the environment and ensures compliance with our environment and heritage compliance obligations. It provides the framework for driving environmental requirements throughout our leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation and improvement actions. Through the implementation of our EMS we enhance our environmental performance, fulfil our compliance obligations and achieve our environmental objectives. We continue to maintain our EMS certification under ISO14001:2015 and made some key improvements this year including:
- Rolling out Regional Environmental Management Plans for each of our regions
- Reviewing the environmental content of the Rural Network Contracts
- Updating the environmental content of Specification 204
- Developing a template for Depot Management Plan
- Increasing internal audits to ensure environmental compliance with approval conditions.
Key Achievements
Environmental Management of Road Projects
This year we screened 298 projects for potential environmental impacts and determined that 160 of these projects required further investigations through an Environmental Impact Assessment. We referred 13 proposals to the Environmental Protection Authority or the Commonwealth with four projects assessed by the regulator. The table summarises the number and assessment level of our projects over the past three years.
| Level of Environmental Assessment | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of road projects subjected to environmental screening | 182 | 357 | 298 |
| Number of road projects for which environmental impact assessment was conducted | 87 | 235 | 160 |
| Number of road projects referred for possible assessment under state and/or Commonwealth legislation | 18 | 16 | 13 |
| Number of road projects assessed under state or Commonwealth legislation | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Data is based on calendar year.
Sustainability Assessment in Projects and Operations
Main Roads has adopted the Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating tool, Australia’s only comprehensive rating system for evaluating sustainability across design, construction and operation of infrastructure, for our highest value major projects. All major infrastructure projects exceeding $20 million utilise the IS framework as part of project development and evaluation. Three programs and one individual project have been registered for an IS Rating, with a further two in the process of submitting for a Design Rating. Stand-alone public sustainability reports are produced for our projects with IS obligations. This year Great Northern Highway Muchea to Wubin Stage 2 Upgrade, NorthLink WA – Southern Section: Guildford Road to Reid Highway and NorthLink WA – Central Section: Reid Highway to Ellenbrook have submitted a public Sustainability report. For more information on IS and to view the project Sustainability reports please go to our website.
The following table lists all projects greater than $100 million that have been formally registered for an IS rating and their current status.
| Program | Project | Current Rating Phase | Target Rating | Tracking Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Northern Highway Muchea to Wubin Stage 2 Upgrade | Muchea North | Design | Commended | Commended |
| New Norcia Bypass | As Built | Commended | Excellent | |
| Walebing | Design | Commended | Commended | |
| Miling Bypass | Design | Commended | Commended | |
| Miling Straight | As Built | Commended | Excellent | |
| Pithara | Design | Commended | Commended | |
| Dalwallinu to Wubin | Design | Commended | Commended | |
| NorthLink WA | NorthLink WA Southern Section | Design | Excellent | Excellent |
| Northlink WA Central Section | Design | Excellent | - | |
| Northlink WA Northern Section | Design | Excellent | - | |
| Mitchell Freeway | Mitchell Freeway Extension | Commended | Commended | Commended |
| Metropolitan Roads Improvement Alliance | Armadale Road | Not commenced | Excellent | - |
| Murdoch Activity Centre | Not commenced | Excellent | - | |
| Wanneroo Road Duplication | Not commenced | Excellent | - |
The following table provides information on projects valued between $20 and $100 million and subject to internal self-assessment using the IS rating tool and current status.
| Project | Current Phase | Target | Tracking Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Street Bridge and Busway | As Built | Commended | Commended |
| Swan River Pedestrian Bridge | As Built | Commended | Excellent |
| Passing Lanes Great Eastern Highway (Southern Cross to Kalgoorlie) | Complete | Commended | Commended |
| Nicholson Road Bridge Over Rail | Design | Commended | Commended |
| North West Coastal Highway - Mia Mia to Barridale | Complete | Commended | Commended |
| Old Mandurah Traffic Bridge | Design | Commended | Commended |
Clearing, Revegetation and Offsets
Given the nature of our business, it is not always possible to avoid the clearing of native vegetation and in 2016 we cleared approximately 487 hectares of native vegetation. Where avoidance is not possible, and after seeking to minimise and reduce our impacts, we then seek to offset our impacts. Offsetting impacts from clearing native vegetation is primarily achieved in one of three ways. It may include one or a combination of: rehabilitating and revegetating degraded landscapes to provide a positive environmental outcome; acquiring and adding land to the conservation estate; or providing funds to the Western Australian Offset Fund for the acquisition and addition of land to the conservation estate.
In 2016 we revegetated 287 hectares of land, of which 3 hectares was revegetated as an offset in perpetuity. We acquired 3,285 hectares of land for addition to the State’s Conservation Estate. In 2016 we contributed $3,077,979 to the Western Australian Offset Fund for the purchase and addition of 691 hectares of land to the conservation estate. Further information regarding approved project offsets can viewed via the Commonwealth website or the Government of Western Australia Environmental Offsets Register.
The following table summarises our clearing, revegetation and offset activities over the past three years.
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearing (ha) | 536 | 424 | 487 | |
| Total revegetation (ha) | 297 | 176 | 287 | |
| Revegetation (ha) | (a) | 73 | 67 | 3 |
| Land acquisition (ha) (Value of land acquired ($)) | (b) | 74(370,119) | None settled | 3,285(16,642,883) |
| Financial contribution ($) (Area of land to be acquired using the financial contribution (ha)) | (c) | 1,232,634(334) | 971,848(216) | 3,077,979(691) |
| Total offset (ha) | (a+b+c) | 480 | 283 | 3,979 |
Data is for the calendar year
Note that total revegetation area includes both offset and non-offset revegetation
Management of Aboriginal Heritage Sites in Road Projects
This year we screened 451 projects, via our internal Aboriginal Heritage Risk Assessment process, for potential impacts to Aboriginal Heritage Sites. Forty-two were subject to further assessment. These further assessments concluded that 18 projects might have an impact to Aboriginal sites of importance and were submitted for approval under section 18 of Western Australia’s Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal Heritage Risk Assessments | 318 | 388 | 451 | |
| Further Impact Assessment (Archaeology/Ethnography/Anthropology) | * | * | 42 | |
| Section 18 Applications Granted** | 0 | 12 | 18 | |
*Data not reported in 2014 or 2015. Data is based on calendar year
**Applications under the Western Australian Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 granted between 1 January to 31 December
Management of Environmental Incidents
Our environmental incident reporting and investigation process reflects the risk classification process adopted across the Transport Portfolio agencies, with five categories of incidents (catastrophic, major, moderate, minor and insignificant) replacing the three categories we previously used. In 2016 there were no incidents classified as catastrophic, two incidents classified as major and nine classified as moderate.
The two major incidents were:
- Works commenced within a registered Aboriginal heritage site without obtaining prior approval under section 18 of the Aboriginal Heritage Act. Works were stopped immediately and the incident was reported to the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. Works recommenced once the appropriate approvals were received
- Works commenced prior to obtaining a permit for undertaking works within a development control area of the Swan and Canning River. Works were stopped immediately and the incident was reported to the Rivers and Estuaries Branch of Department of Parks and Wildlife. Works recommenced once the appropriate approval was received
The nine moderate incidents didn’t incur any penalties or financial sanctions and we addressed these procedural failures through training, changes in processes and increased compliance audits to ensure they are not repeated.
In 2016 there were no third-party incidents classified as catastrophic, no incidents classified as major and four incidents classified as moderate. The four moderate incidents were related to spills of pollutants or contaminating materials.
Emissions and Energy
The development, operation and use of a road network consumes energy and generates emissions in numerous forms. The predominant impacts from energy and emissions fall outside our direct control and arise from use of the road network itself. Road transport makes up 15 per cent of Australia’s total emissions and has been the highest growing source of emissions since 1990. We estimate that the road network generates carbon emissions at a rate of 295.6 + CO2-e per million vehicle kilometres travelled (MKVT). In 2016-17 MKVT was 29,434 and thus emissions were approximately 8.7mt CO2-e from use of the road network. Our current approach has focused on reducing our direct energy use and emissions generation but we are aware of our ability to influence outcomes from our contracts and from the road network use. For example, NorthLink WA has specified high fuel efficiency construction equipment to reduce diesel consumption and pollution. All diesel heavy duty and light vehicles need to comply with a minimum emissions standard. It is estimated that 1,200 tonnes of CO2-e will be saved during construction.
Carbon Reduction Plan
We have a Carbon Reduction Plan and Target (5 to 15 per cent reduction on 2010 levels by 2020) focused on Scope One and Two emissions and have been progressing a Climate Change Adaptation Plan since 2011. Our total emissions across our facilities over the past year were 23,894t CO2-e, achieving our target which was to be below 29,743t CO2-e. A trial of highway standard LED street lights is being implemented on the Mitchell Freeway Extension. This trial has seen the adoption of 330 LED lights replacing the traditional High Pressure Sodium street lights. It is estimated that there will be a 20 per cent reduction in ongoing energy use or an annual saving of 56 tCO2. We are looking to expand our focus for emissions reductions to managing the emissions generated on our projects and maintenance activities and encouraging our project partners to reduce emissions from their activities.
Energy Usage and Greenhouse Gas
| Scope 1 or 2 and 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| GHG Type (t CO2) | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
| Fuel* | 3,339 | 2,833 | 2,860 |
| Street and traffic lights | 17,773 | 18,759 | 16,804 |
| Buildings | 5,109 | 4,978 | 4,230 |
| Air Travel* | 255 | 263 | 27 |
| Maintenance fuel use | 9,803 | 8,405 | 8,010 |
| Offsets | -1,663 | -2,879 | -1,183 |
| Total | 34,616 | 32,359 | 30,992 |
*Note: Maintenance fuel usage and air travel are Scope 3 emissions
| Scope 1 or 2 and 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| HG Category (t CO2) | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
| Scope 1 | 3,202 | 3,000 | 3,046 |
| Scope 2 | 21,583 | 23,571 | 20,848 |
| Sub Total | 24,785 | 26,571 | 23,848 |
| Scope 3 | 12,037 | 11,073 | 11,381 |
| Offsets | -1,663 | -2,879 | -1,183 |
| Total | 23,122 | 23,692 | 22,711 |
| Energy Use by Source | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Source | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
| Electricity Usage (MJ) within | 102,319,321 | 112,676,588 | 105,404,169 |
| Fuel and Gas Usage (MJ) within | 47,823,922 | 44,555,099 | 45,095,868 |
| Maintenance (outside) | 140,543,244 | 119,369,318 | 107,983,546 |
| Projects (outside) | - | - | 182,667,872 |
Climate Change Adaptation
We have identified more than 50 kilometres of State Roads that have been assessed to warrant earlier, more detailed evaluation for the impacts of climate change. The indicative replacement value of this at-risk infrastructure is in the order of $106 million. A key aspect of our Sustainability Policy is climate change. During the year a Key Aspect Management Plan for Climate Change covering our standards and asset management practices was endorsed, with the intent to progressively adapt our infrastructure and business practice for our key climate risks. An example of the treatments in current infrastructure is the design of the Swan River Pedestrian Bridge which includes a rock wall providing foreshore protection which was designed to allow for overtopping and an additional 0.45m for potential river level rises due to sea level rise was adopted in overall bridge design and secondary structures.
Materials for Road Building
Natural materials are crucial in road building. Main Roads’ philosophy on materials use is to minimise lifecycle impacts, including embodied energy, and follow the hierarchy of reduce, re-use where possible, and recycle materials to their highest end use possible. When obtaining road-building materials, we endeavour to avoid clearing natural vegetation. On-site materials unsuitable for use in road construction are used, as appropriate, for rehabilitating areas where road-building materials were obtained.
Specifications and design guidelines have a focus on optimising durability and longevity of road construction materials to minimise replacement frequency, which also has benefits in reducing traffic disruption. Treatment options focus on extending life of assets rather than replacement, including strengthening or stabilising in situ materials when they are no longer performing. The briefing note on our recycling practice provides guidance on current accepted recycling practice. Specifications for the use of recycled road building materials can be found on the Standards and Technical website.
Imported Road Construction Materials
| Indicator | 2015 (000) | 2016 (000) | 2017 (000) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sand (t) | 276.3 | 354.0 | 768.7 |
| Gravel (t) | 761.9 | 1,506.8 | 1,244.4 |
| Crushed rock (t) | 316.4 | 409.5 | 404.3 |
| Limestone (t) | 119.5 | 142.0 | 462.2 |
| Aggregate (t) | 29.4 | 72.9 | 83.8 |
| Asphalt (t) | 202.7 | 5,750.2* | 1,199.0 |
| Other (t) | 453.8 | 915.3 | 1.8 |
| Kerbing, barriers, bridges and culverts Concrete (t) | 53.1 | 1,064.8 | 244.9 |
| Other (t) | 21 | 7.4 | 0.8 |
Waste Materials to Landfill (Waste)
| Resources Recycled Indicator | 2015 (000) | 2016 (000) | 2017 (000) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerbing (m) | 0 | 1,097 | 8,947 |
| Pavement/footpath (m2) | 138 | 2,426 | 442 |
| Existing seal (m2) | 57,490 | 3,464 | 212 |
| Unsuitable material (m3) | 26,008 | 15,808 | 3,607 |
| Other (m3) | 22,199 | 3,675 | 2,559 |
Materials Recycled
| 2015 (000) | 2016 (000) | 2017 (000) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation Purposes (t) – unsuitable material | 15.0 | 8.7 | 4.3 |
| Sand (t) | 474.2 | 19.24 | 5.4 |
| Road Base (t) | 1.6 | 6.4 | 0.0 |
| Asphalt/Profiling (t) | 11.0 | 23.0 | 12.2 |
| Steel (t) | 0 | 0.2 | 0.9 |
| Concrete (t) | 1.4 | 0.3 | 6.7 |
| Office Waste (t) | 0 | 1.6 | 3.2 |
| Other (t) | 0 | 96.97 | 0. |
| Total (000s t) | 503.3 | 156.5 | 32.7 |
Data is based on calendar year.
Waste Management: Roadsides, Buildings and Facilities
Roadside waste across the entire state road network requires ever-increasing attention to control. We are collaborating with key stakeholders, interested parties and community groups to implement a consistent litter management approach for the state whilst taking into account individual regional requirements. A State Wide Litter Plan has been developed with the primary objectives to educate road users to take their litter with them and reduce the occurrence of litter and illegal dumping through greater public awareness, increased community buy-in and participation in litter reduction programs and behaviours.
Our commitment to improved waste management practices is evident in the design, construction, operation and ongoing management of our offices and depots. Our new Northam office is a great example of this, incorporating waste management principals in its design and construction to achieve 5-star Green Star and NABERS ratings. This resulted in 80 per cent of waste being diverted from landfill during demolition and construction. We also have a suite of waste avoidance strategies across our offices and waste management plans for our depots that include a variety of materials, such as asbestos, concrete, steel, aluminium, batteries and waste oil. The separation of general office waste and recyclables is encouraged by providing paper, battery and printer cartridge recycling facilities.
Water
Water is a precious resource and our state continues to experience the effects of a drying climate. To make sure we do our part in conserving water we encourage practices that reduce our impact on water sources including improving water efficiency and overall water use, utilising recycled water and avoiding the use of potable water. By prioritising the use of non-potable water over scheme water during construction we aim to ease the burden of water scarcity within the communities we work. The following shows our water use figures over the past three years.
| Type | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings (kl) | 32,840 | 32,851 | 39,432 |
| Construction Scheme (kl) | 9,071 | 176,954 | 18,707 |
| Construction Groundwater (kl) | 66,797.6 | 13,720.6 | 68,389 |
| Surface water or recycled water (kl) | 15,240 | 251.3 | 112,192 |
Using Mining Waste on Roadworks
With a lack of suitable road-building materials on the Great Northern Highway between Halls Creek and Warmun, a trial was undertaken in the Kimberley Region to use mine waste rock from a local nickel mine
View Case Study