Premier

Victoria’s Greener Infrastructure Set To Take Centre Stage

19 May 2022

Victoria’s nation-leading circular economy will take centre stage in September, showcasing the greener projects being delivered by the Andrews Labor Government’s Big Build.

For the first time, the ecologiq Greener Infrastructure Conference 2022 is inviting world leaders in sustainability and governments from across Australia to share innovations, celebrate success and explore how greener thinking can be applied across infrastructure projects.

The two-day conference at Melbourne’s Convention and Exhibition Centre will include a range of keynote speakers, panel discussions, networking events, masterclasses and a dynamic trade hall where recycled product suppliers will show how effectively waste can be transformed into vital construction materials.

The conference is being delivered by the ecologiq program, which is leveraging Victoria’s significant infrastructure investment to boost the use of recycled and reused materials, make these products business-as-usual and help Victoria build local markets.

Australia currently generates around 74 million tonnes of waste a year, and our nation’s transport infrastructure sector presents an incredible opportunity to transform how waste is used.

The newly opened Mordialloc Freeway is one outstanding example – the project used around 800,000 tonnes of recycled and reused materials, including 75% recycled plastic noise walls and recycled plastic in drainage pipes and shared paths.

More than 10 suppliers from Victoria’s growing market for recycled materials helped deliver the vision for Australia’s greenest freeway.

These suppliers and many others will showcase both innovative and tested products on the tradeshow floor.

It’s estimated 10 Victorian jobs are created for every 10,000 tonnes of waste material kept out of landfill. In the next decade, this should lead to 3900 new jobs.

Victoria’s Recycled First Policy will play a critical role in building this new supply chain, as it requires transport infrastructure contractors to optimise their use of recycled and reused materials.

Since it was introduced in 2020, Recycled First has led to five times more recycled materials being used than previous years – with 1.3 million tonnes being integrated on Victorian transport projects. The Sydney Road to Edgars Road section of the M80 Upgrade highlights this as the first major road project in Victoria to include recycled content in every layer of the road pavement.

Future major transport projects will build on this success, including the Suburban Rail Loop, new North-East Link packages and Melbourne Airport Rail.

For more information and to register, visit ecologiq.vic.gov.auExternal Link .

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure and the Suburban Rail Loop Jacinta Allan

“We look forward to celebrating innovation on Victoria’s greenest transport projects as well as hearing from world leaders on how we can accelerate circular change.”

“Through our unprecedented $90 billion Big Build, we are investing in road and rail across the state – giving Victorians the transport network they deserve while offering economic, social and environmental benefits.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“We’re working to divert 80 per cent of waste going to landfill by 2030 and initiatives like this are a great example of how we can achieve our target, while creating jobs and a more sustainable economy.”

Reviewed 19 May 2022

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