Sustainable Development In Construction

One of the key policies of many governments the world over is Sustainable Development In Construction. This is due to the fact that the construction industry alone has a tremendous impact in the way the natural environment is affected by human activities. Put simply, whenever construction takes place, the surrounding environment will get affected. This is something that cannot be avoided.

Due to this, the emphasis has been placed on sustainable development and both the need and responsibility of citizens and companies alike to do their utmost to reduce or minimise the impact human activities can have on the surrounding environment. The Australian government has made an effort to oblige those in the construction industry to take into account Sustainable Development In Construction by enacting specific environmental legislation. It’s still too early to measure the success of the legislation, however, most agree that more can and should be done.

Many companies have embraced the increased emphasis on sustainable development in their construction activities. One of the most common ways to do this is through the creation and implementation of a construction environmental policy. If you don’t know what this is, it is simply a statement where the company (or contractor) declares its commitment to do whatever is in their power to reduce their impact on the environment. Such a commitment is considered to be advantageous in today’s business climate where being green and environmentally friendly is favourable in many people’s eyes.

Sustainable Development In Construction is not some type of fad which will go away as quickly as it came into prominence. It is here to stay and we have no choice but to embrace it with open arms.

Construction Environmental Policy

Nowadays, more often than not, you will come across companies which have a Construction Environmental Policy. As the general population becomes more aware and sensitive around environmental issues, companies, especially those in the construction industry, want to present a ‘greener’ image to the general public. Green has become the new thing when it comes to public relations and being successful in business.

This article hopes to shed some light on what an environmental policy is and how it can be effectively used by construction companies around Australia.

More Than Just A Policy

When people think of policies, people typically think of a bunch of words and sentences put together that is no bigger than an A4 page. However, a Construction Environmental Policy is much more than the fine print. Some describe it as a declaration of a company’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The word ‘commitment’ is a big, powerful word that doesn’t simply refer to complying with Australian environmental legislation. Compliance itself is a bare minimum.

More so, it states that the company in question is prepared to take the initiative and do more than what the law states when it comes to being an environmentally responsible company. The thing is, when you do make such a bold commitment, people will be holding you accountable and will react even more negatively if you are seen to be not following through with your commitment.

A good example of a construction company that has an environmental policy is Gavin Construction. You can find their policy on the Gavin company website. You may want to base your policy on this one, especially if your company does not currently have one.

At the end of the day, image and perception play a big role in the success of your business and having a Construction Environmental Policy can only improve that image.

Construction Environmental Management

Construction Environmental Management is one of those topics that many construction contractors and companies are not very fond of. The reason why this is the case is because the issue of environmental management in the construction industry is still relatively new. It has only really intensified in the last decade or so through a big increase in environmental awareness both in Australia and overseas.

As a result, the Australian government has responded to these concerns through environmental legislation. This effectively means that before any work can begin on a site, the contractor (or company) in charge must produce an adequate Construction Environmental Management Plan. However, given the general lack of knowledge about the legislation among construction workers, many are still unaware about how to go about environmental management.

One of the most important tasks that you will be required to do regarding environmental management is undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment. This refers to researching and thoroughly analysing the potential impact of project activities on the surrounding environment. In addition, you must outline what measures you plan to implement in order to reduce or at least minimise the impact.

There is much more to Construction Environmental Management than meets the eye. Yet it cannot be ignored, because that can only lead to incompliance with the law and to consequences such as financial penalties or even prosecution.

If you are contractor and feel that you are not knowledgeable enough about the topic, then by all means, consult someone or a company who may be able to assist you. Sometimes it’s better use of your time and strengths not to learn about such things, and just find someone who already knows and get them to do such tasks.

So, the message here is to continue playing to your strengths without completely ignoring the importance of Construction Environmental Management, which can only land you in trouble.

Construction Environmental Evaluation

It’s quite likely that before commencing a new building project that you will need to carry out a Construction Environmental Evaluation. You may be wondering what I’m referring to by using such a phrase. This refers to thoroughly analysing and detailing the potential impact of all construction activities that are to take place. Current environmental legislation in Australia stipulates that the main contractor and/or company must perform such an evaluation before commencing work. Otherwise, financial penalties can apply which could be detrimental to those in charge.

Another commonly used name to describe this evaluation is an Environmental Impact Assessment or EIS. In fact, it’s likely that you’re familiar with this term more than Construction Environmental Evaluation. It’s important that you do not get confused because they both essentially refer to the same thing.

Evaluation Example

If you are not sure about how to come up with an evaluation, it would be a good idea to have a look at an example of one. Many people learn better by using examples than by going through the technical aspects of an evaluation one by one. Furthermore, it gives them a model which they can base their own one on.

This example refers to the Forests NSW Riverina project where they proposed to harvest timber for some road projects. Compared to the evaluation that you will most likely come up with, this is a very extensive one made up of 5 volumes. Nevertheless, it is still a prime example which anyone can use and learn from successfully.

The next time you plan a construction project, don’t forget to perform a Construction Environmental Evaluation before commencing.

EPA Guidelines

EPA Guidelines refer to the guidelines written up by the Environment Protection Authority in your state or territory of residence. If you are an active member of the construction industry in Australia, then understanding these guidelines is important as they cover a lot of the activities that typically take place on a worksite. This short article will cover some examples of the guidelines that you will likely find in your state or territory. The best way to get access to these is by visiting the EPA website of your corresponding state or territory.

Sometimes you might hear the term Environmental Standard or standards. Don’t get confused by this as this is pretty much the equivalent of EPA Guidelines in Australia. It must not be forgotten that such environmental guidelines exist in all developed nations and now a large number of developing nations throughout the world.

Guidelines Example

The South Australian EPA website is a good example of a government site that provides information about EPA Guidelines in an easy-to-follow manner.

On their main page, all guidelines are provided in PDF format so that anyone can download them for their own convenience. In addition, they are all listed in alphabetical order making it relatively easy to find the one you want. Some of the topics covered that are likely to affect construction sites include:

• Spill management
• Construction noise
• Hazardous waste
• Site contamination
• The Environment Protection Noise Policy

Refer to the website for more topics that could impact on environmental safety. Keep on the lookout for Environmental Guidelines For Major Construction Sites if it applies to your situation. The bottom line is that such guidelines must be complied with if you wish to avoid paying large financial penalties or face prosecution.

EPA Guidelines leave absolutely no room for laziness or negligence when it comes to construction environmental management.