At Victoria’s Big Build we have a responsibility to deliver major transport projects as sustainably as possible.

To do this, we have safeguards and initiatives to protect the environment. Wherever possible, we use recycled materials and construction practices that reduce carbon emissions.

Reducing carbon emissions

Victoria’s Big Build is guided by a decarbonisation strategy that outlines a clear pathway to reduce emissions. We are committed to decarbonising both our corporate operations and our transport construction activities.

Transport Infrastructure Decarbonisation Strategy 2024
Lower Carbon Materials Visual Guide 

Recycled First

The Recycled First Policy was released in 2020 and is identifying ways for the Victorian Government to use more recycled and reused materials in transport infrastructure projects.

Our goal is to drive greater use of these materials, encourage innovation and develop demand for recycled materials.

We are optimising the use of recycled materials such as recycled aggregates, glass, plastic, timber, steel, ballast, crushed brick, crumb rubber and reclaimed asphalt pavement.

Companies bidding on our infrastructure projects must detail how they will optimise the use of recycled and reused materials that meet existing standards and specifications.

Recycled First Policy
More about recycled construction materials

Environment Effects Statement

When required for our projects, we produce an Environment Effects Statement (EES) – a process that examines the possible impacts of the project on the environment. The EES also identifies how the impacts will be avoided, mitigated, minimised, monitored and managed.

Part of the EES process involves releasing the EES to the public and inviting submissions. At that time, we'll advertise important dates and let you know how you can make a submission.

Then, based on the EES and submissions, the Minister for Planning will decide whether the project's effect on the environment is acceptable or not. The relevant decision makers must consider the Minister's assessment when they decide whether to approve a project.

This process can take up to 2 years to complete.

Biodiversity

In our projects we work towards meeting all requirements under relevant Victorian and Australian legislation to avoid and minimise impacts on biodiversity, including native vegetation, trees, threatened plant and animal species, and ecological communities. As part of this we apply the mitigation hierarchy in our work practices to first avoid, then mitigate, and finally, to offset residual impacts. This process is aimed to reduce the amount of trees, vegetation, and habitat removed within our construction zones. Where avoidance is not possible, we work toward meeting state and federal requirements to mitigate these impacts through biodiversity offsets.

We engage qualified ecologists and arborists to assess these biodiversity values and provide advice on the best way to reduce our impacts on these important environmental values, such as retaining and protection significant vegetation or species where practicable and ensuring appropriate measures are in place during construction. For example, we establish ‘no-go zones’ fencing around trees, native vegetation, and threatened species habitat to ensure these are protected for the duration of construction activities.

We work with the community, and retain as many trees and other biodiversity values as we can through environmentally sensitive design and construction methods.

Where removal of a tree cannot be avoided, we will look for opportunities to re-use the wood for environmental and community projects through timber re-use program and application of the Recycled First Policy.

Soil management

Managing and treating soil is a standard part of the construction process. Victoria's Big Build responsibly manages worksites to keep communities healthy and protect the environment.

During planning, qualified specialists will test the soil and develop a management plan. Substances commonly found in excavated soil are:

  • naturally occurring heavy metals, such as arsenic
  • per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of chemicals used in manufacturing
  • asbestos fibres.

All soil handled and removed from the site is managed in line with the stringent protocols of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria.

Further information