CRL project given another top sustainability rating

Publish Date : 22 Mar 2017
CRL project given another top sustainability rating
Receiving the award on Tuesday 21 March. Left to right: Dale Burtenshaw, Project Director Downer and Soletanche Bachy Joint Venture, Liz Root, CRL Principal Sustainability Advisor, Chris Meale, CRL Project Director and Antony Sprigg, CEO ISCA.

Auckland’s City Rail Link (CRL) project has been recognised for a world first – embedding cultural values into its sustainability approach.

Last night the CRL was awarded a Leading Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Design rating by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA), the highest possible achievement in the IS scheme.

About the award

The rating is for the design and construction planning of Contract 1 - the work through and under Britomart Station and Lower Queen Street to the former Downtown Shopping Centre site. A Downer/Soletanche Bachy joint venture is the delivery partner for this contract. The designers are Aurecon, Mott MacDonald, Grimshaw, Jasmax and Arup.

This is only the second Leading rating awarded in New Zealand, and the first also went to the CRL. It was for the design and construction planning (with Connectus) of Contract 2 – the Albert Street tunnels and a new stormwater main under Albert Street.

In awarding the Contract 1 Design rating, ISCA considered project performance across six themes: Management & Governance, Using Resources, Emissions, Pollution & Waste, Ecology, People & Place and Innovation.

Contract 1 highlights

ISCA noted several highlights for Contract 1:

  • The CRL’s initiative collaborating with mana whenua to embed Māori cultural values across the IS framework: a first globally.
  • Water-efficient fittings specified for the refurbished Britomart station which are projected to reduce water usage by more than 50 per cent, with associated reductions in utility bills.
  • A projected reduction in energy-related greenhouse gas emissions by more than 25 per cent through efficient construction techniques, including replacing diesel generators with grid electricity, and the specification of energy-efficient equipment for the refurbished station.
  • Reducing waste by recycling items such as the uPVC piping from the station plaza water feature, and carefully removing the bluestone feature wall tiles for reinstatement once the tunnels are completed.
  • The protection and enhancement of the Category 1 heritage-listed station building.

A strong commitment to sustainable design

CRL Project Director Chris Meale says the project is committed to setting the benchmark for sustainable design, construction and operation of infrastructure in New Zealand and the latest recognition shows it is on the right track to achieving this.

Antony Sprigg, ISCA CEO, says Contract 1 achieved a rating score of 80.7, well above the 75 points required to gain a Leading IS rating.

“Contract 1’s Leading IS rating attests to the City Rail Link’s local, national and international leadership through their infrastructure sustainability commitment and outstanding performance to date.”

CRL construction is well underway and reporting to date shows it is on track to deliver a sustainable project for Auckland.

Back to News