The first stage of Canberra’s light rail project has received an award for excellence in sustainability.
Director-General of the Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate, Emma Thomas announced the award, which was decided by the national body for infrastructure
sustainability, the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA).
Ms Thomas said Stage One of the project received an Excellent Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Design Rating, with a score of 73.7 out of 100.
“This exceptional rating acknowledges the determination of our light rail urban design team to achieve the best possible outcome for Canberrans,” Ms Thomas said.
She said the process had also created a number of connections and strong relationships across the industry nationwide.
“The IS Rating process has been extremely beneficial for the light rail and Transport Canberra.
“It has provided insight into national best practice and a benchmarking opportunity against other national infrastructure projects.”
She said the rigours of undertaking the rating process have highlighted the project’s alignment on a number of key aspects of the Territory’s sustainability agenda.
Ms Thomas said the award also provided validation of the project’s direction and a rationale for some modification within the project’s life cycle.
Chief Executive of ISCA, Ainsley Simpsons said Canberra Light Rail was leading the charge for infrastructure in ACT as the first transport project to achieve an IS rating.
Ms Thomas said the project received full marks in the Community Health and Wellbeing category, and was also commended for the partnership with the Canberra Business Chamber for the Light Rail Business Link Program.
She said ISCA rated the light rail design highly in innovation, energy and the mitigation of aspects of climate change.
The project was also commended for identifying a need to ensure schoolchildren were educated to use the system safely.
