NZCF Hails Advances In Environmental Management

Innovative decontamination methods, specialist dust and noise control, safeguarding native trees and wildlife, bicycles for getting around sites, and installing worm farms to recycle scraps … these initiatives are all among the comprehensive environmental management measures that feature among finalist entries for the New Zealand Contractors’ Federation’s 2009 Environmental Excellence Awards.

The competition, now in its fifth year, is run by the federation’s Auckland branch, and is sponsored by Shell and the Auckland Regional Council. It aims to encourage excellence in environmental management in the civil construction industry in the region.

NZCF executive officer Malcolm Abernethy says the huge advances being made in environmental management throughout the industry mirror those made in health and safety during the 1990s. Mr Abernethy is one of the judges of the awards alongside Auckland Regional Council land development manager Roger Bannister and environmental consultant Andrew Reeve of SKM.

“As a long-term judge, I have been delighted to see how much awareness of environmental issues surrounding contracting and the need to meet compliance requirements has developed,” says Mr Abernethy. “It illustrates how far the industry in general has come in terms of environmental management.”

He adds that the change is remarkable among both management and staff. “Companies have embraced environmental issues, and staff have become very aware of the importance of reporting any issues. Some innovative solutions have also been devised to minimise impact on the environment and to avoid cross-contamination and issues from noise and dust.”

 

Wide Range Of Initiatives

This year’s awards attracted a record number of entries, with finalists impressing judges with a wide range of initiatives – from devising ways to safeguard native trees to comprehensive environmental planning and implementation on large long-term projects. The awards include four categories for contracts, or subcontracts, to the value of up to $500,000, $500,000–$2 million, $2 million–$10 million, and over $10 million.

Many were in sites of archaeological and cultural importance, or areas where it was vital to minimise noise and dust impact on local communities. One, the removal of disused water reservoirs at Hamlins Hill Regional Park in Auckland, was undertaken by Fletcher Construction free of charge as a community project.
Smaller projects included the Point View Reserve Walkway in Manukau City, constructed by HEB Construction, which included installing a 17 metre bridge. Normally a helicopter would have been used to lift the bridge into place, but, recognising this would damage the canopy of 200-year-old trees, the team devised a ‘flying fox’ using forestry technology to winch the bridge in without damaging trees.

 

Manukau Harbour Crossing

One of the largest projects is the $230 million SH20 Manukau Harbour crossing being carried out by the Manukau Harbour Crossing Alliance (MHX) comprising the New Zealand Transport Agency, Fletcher Construction, Higgins Contractors and Beca Infrastructure.

MHX developed an overarching environmental construction management plan to ensure it meets the safety challenges of the project, including protecting the sensitive marine environment and the many shorebirds using the Manukau foreshore. This includes an extensive range of measures to develop a strong and ongoing environmental culture within the entire team which has grown steadily as the project has progressed.

Toolbox talks are used to reinforce key environmental messages, and the environmental plan details the framework, responsibilities and actions for addressing environmental issues as diverse as erosion and sediment controls, accidental spills, archaeological finds, tree protection, contaminated sites, noise, vibration and dust.

 

Recycling and Bicycling

A comprehensive recycling strategy has seen scrap metal, untreated wood, plastics, cardboard, paper, bottles, tins and cans all separated at source and sent for recycling. Initiatives also include a worm farm, bicycles to get around the immediate site, and reusing piping to divert clean water from the motorway below the work areas to limit the size of sediment controls.

Project environmental manager Kylie Eltham says: “We consider ourselves to be setting the industry standard with our recycling efforts. To date we have recycled over 52 percent of our waste, including scrap metal. A system of clearly labelled bins, basic education and toolbox refreshers on what can be recycled are the key to our success.”

She adds: “One of the legacies the environmental team will leave behind is an enthusiastic and committed workforce who appreciate that our efforts in the environment are not just an ‘add on’, but an important aspect of the construction industry in today’s environment.”

The winners of the NZCF’s Environmental Excellence Awards were due to be announced as NZCN went to print.