The METRONET Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project has achieved a prestigious Gold Design Rating under the Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s (ISC) v2.1 rating scheme.
The project is the first in Australia to receive the Design Rating under the v2.1 rating scheme, demonstrating a strong commitment to achieving outcomes under the METRONET Sustainability Strategy.
The rating scheme assesses sustainability in project design and construction – rating projects based on ISC credits across various themes and categories of an interconnected sustainability system. The following initiatives contributed towards the project achieving the rating:
Urban and landscape design – an Urban and Landscape Design Statement and Plan ensures that stakeholder input and whole-of-life considerations influence project design to benefit the community. For example, project landscape design includes recreational spaces under the elevated rail to improve student and resident amenities, and mixed-use event spaces for community engagement and connection.
Stakeholder engagement – a Stakeholder Engagement Strategy integrated into project governance ensures key stakeholders contribute to project outcomes. An Indigenous Participation Plan, developed in consultation with the Indigenous community and in line with the METRONET Gnarla Biddi Aboriginal Engagement Strategy, also identifies opportunities for Aboriginal procurement and training across the project.
Water – project infrastructure has been designed to reduce water use, encourage substitution of drinking water, and minimise the environmental impacts of local water extraction.
Resource efficiency and management – a Resource Efficiency Strategy and Action Plan identifies opportunities to achieve positive circular economy outcomes across the project, including reducing the environmental impacts of materials across the life of the infrastructure, and setting project performance targets for reusing resources and reducing the amount of material sent to landfill.
Innovation – removing level crossings and elevating the rail on the Armadale Line is a WA first and an innovative solution that addresses road safety and traffic flow and enhances connectivity between communities east and west of the line. In addition, the innovative use of Rubber Tyre Gantry Cranes to install viaducts increased productivity, minimised the project’s construction footprint and impact to residents and businesses, and reduced emissions.
Energy – energy saving initiatives across design and construction include solar PV arrays, 10 EV charging bays at Cannington Station and four at each of the other stations, energy efficient lifts and escalators, solar lighting towers for temporary works, and high efficiency LED lighting in car parks.
METRONET Managing Director Ashley Vincent said the Gold rating was significant given the scale and complexity of the project.
“This was a complex project to design given its location and the requirement to ensure project infrastructure meets the needs of communities along the Armadale Line and contributes to social, environmental and economic outcomes,” Vincent said.
“The design rating confirms the project is on the right track to meet the milestones required to not only deliver sustainable and adaptable infrastructure, but to leave a positive legacy for WA – encouraging the growth of flourishing communities beyond the project’s completion.”
The Victoria Park-Canning Level Crossing Removal Project is progressing well with the elevated rail concrete structure finished and all track laid. Once complete, the project will feature five new, modern elevated stations and 6.5 hectares of public open space for community use.
The post Gold design rating sets sustainability benchmarks appeared first on Rail Express.
