The New South Wales government has taken a major step towards sustainable infrastructure development with the launch of its first-ever Protection of the Environment Policy (PEP) for Sustainable Construction.

The policy, now open for public consultation, aims to reduce upfront carbon emissions and promote a circular economy in major public infrastructure projects.

Developed through collaboration between the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Infrastructure NSW (INSW), the proposed policy sets new standards for reporting and reducing carbon emissions while encouraging the use of recycled materials in public infrastructure projects.

Under the proposed guidelines, NSW government agencies would be required to report on their efforts to decrease emissions and prioritise recycled construction materials.

An ‘if not, why not’ approach would be applied to justify decisions.

Acting EPA Executive Director of Strategy and Policy Asela Atapattu highlighted the policy’s dual benefits, stating: “This is a critical step in cutting emissions and shrinking the carbon footprint of NSW’s major infrastructure projects.

“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.”

The policy would apply to significant public projects exceeding cost thresholds of $50 million for building sector projects and $100 million for all other infrastructure types.

This initiative aligns with the NSW government’s Decarbonising Infrastructure Delivery Policy and is supported by a $37 million Carbon Recycling and Abatement Fund, part of the state’s $356 million Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy.

The proposal is now open for a 12-week public consultation period, closing on April 2, 2025. Stakeholders and interested parties are encouraged to provide feedback through the EPA’s website.

This policy represents a significant move towards sustainable construction practices in NSW, potentially setting a benchmark for other states and territories in Australia’s journey towards a more environmentally conscious infrastructure sector.