Sustainability Targets for Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 Enabling Works

John Holland is delivering the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 Enabling Works on behalf of Transport for NSW. The Enabling Works will deliver the first 1.3 kilometres of light rail including the vital public and active transport bridge over the Parramatta River between Melrose Park and Wentworth Point. Major construction is scheduled to start later this year once the design is complete.  

Following the completion of public consultation between March and May this year, John Holland has finalised the sustainability targets for the Enabling Works.

Sustainability objectives 
Sustainability is core to how the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 Enabling Works is being designed and built. The project is backed by six key objectives:

•    Demonstrate leadership
•    Empower communities
•    Respect the environment
•    Act on climate change and deliver community resilience
•    Procure sustainably
•    Respect and integrate heritage

To demonstrate how these objectives will be achieved, John Holland has set ambitious targets as shown below.

Some key initiatives John Holland has implemented to assist with hitting the targets include:
1. Reducing the number of bridge piers in the Parramatta River:
• to create an unobstructed view, a wide maritime navigational channel, and to open up public spaces on the foreshore. This will contribute to the target of developing an urban and landscape design that enhances the local community.
• to minimise the amount of concrete and steel required to build the bridge. This will assist in achieving the target to reduce the project’s materials lifecycle impact by ≥30 per cent.

2. Seeking opportunities to use renewable energy where possible:
• During construction, the project is using solar powered equipment to assist in achieving the target to reduce; the project’s greenhouse gas emissions by ≥20 per cent.  

3. An embedded Country-led design approach that includes:
• Key contributions from Bangawarra and Aspect studios, who developed a Country strategy for the overall; Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 Program and Reference Design
• Integration of the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 Public Art and Heritage Interpretation Strategy
• Engagement of a curator to assist with the engagement of artists for the project  
• Engagement of an Aboriginal Cultural Advisor to lead the engagement with community and Traditional Knowledge Holders.


Commitment to Transparency 
John Holland will publish on the project website an annual sustainability performance report for the duration of the project. These reports will provide additional information on the above sustainability targets, detail performance metrics and progress against these targets, and maintain accountability in delivering sustainable infrastructure solutions.