Consultation is now open on New South Wales’ first Protection of the Environment Policy (PEP) for Sustainable Construction, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting the use of recycled materials in major public infrastructure projects, including hospitals, schools, and roads.
The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has partnered with Infrastructure NSW (INSW) to establish new standards that focus on reducing upfront carbon emissions while encouraging the integration of recycled materials in public infrastructure.
Under the proposed policy, government agencies would be required to report on their efforts to reduce emissions and prioritise recycled construction materials.
The policy would introduce an ‘if not, why not’ approach, requiring justification for decisions that deviate from these priorities.
Asela Atapattu, Acting Executive Director of Strategy and Policy at the EPA, emphasised the dual benefits of the policy.
“This is a critical step in cutting emissions and shrinking the carbon footprint of NSW’s major infrastructure projects, and we welcome your feedback,” Atapattu said.
“With the largest infrastructure pipeline in the country, NSW is taking a leading role in driving sustainable construction practices and building a more resilient, climate-conscious future. We’re focused on putting innovative solutions at the forefront of modern construction to ensure our future infrastructure is not only resilient to climate change but also contributes to a healthier state.”
The proposed policy would apply to significant public infrastructure projects meeting specific cost thresholds: more than $50 million for building sector projects and more than $100 million for other types of infrastructure.
This initiative is aligned with the NSW Government’s Decarbonising Infrastructure Delivery Policy, and aims to support the industry’s transition to more sustainable practices.
In addition to the policy, the Government is funding a $37 million Carbon Recycling and Abatement Fund, part of its $356 million Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy.
The public consultation on the proposal is open for 12 weeks, with feedback closing on 2 April 2025.
For more information and to participate in the consultation, visit: https://yoursay.epa.nsw.gov.au/protection-environment-policy.
