Downer values Sustainability (including social, environmental and economic aspects and impacts) and is focussed on maximising social enterprise, local content, workforce training and skills development that will deliver long term benefits for regional Victoria.
Sustainability is a key focus area for delivery of Downer’s major projects in regional Victoria and will be considered in the procurement process. Downer is also extremely interested in hearing of any innovative solutions during the Tender Phase.
To assist potential suppliers, the following information is provided on the sustainability requirements for the project.
Infrastructure and Built Environment Sustainability
Timber
Source at least 95% of all timber products used for permanent Works from re-used
timber, post-consumer recycled timber, or from 'Forest Stewardship Council' or
'Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification' certified timber.
Steel
Source at least 80% of the steel used in construction from suppliers certified under
Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing and Structural Steels or equivalent
international association or organisation.
Recycled glass sand
Adopt recycled glass sand as bedding and embedment material within MCR and for
drainage piping.
Concrete and cement
Reduce, and demonstrate that it has reduced, the Portland cement content in the Works by a minimum of 5% (relative to if no Portland cement supplements were used), measured by mass across all concrete used in the Works compared to GBCA
reference mixes. In achieving this clause, the:
(A) concrete specifications must detail the allowable % reduction in Portland cement for all components of the design;
(B) concrete design mixes must specify fly-ash, Pulverized Fly Ash (PFA) and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS); and
(C) Procurement contracts must stipulate the design mix requirements.
Built Environment Sustainability
Asphalt
Incorporate to the extent practicable, the use of recycled aggregate and warm-mix technologies in the construction of both temporary and permanent asphalt car parking throughout the scope of Works. This must include a high level of use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) using Reconophalt or other similar product.
Water fixtures and fitting
High-efficiency tap and sanitary ware with the following minimum Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme ratings: Toilets - 4 Star; Taps - 5 Star; Urinals - 6 Star; and Showers - 3 Star: (6.0-7.5Us).
Solar power
Maximise, to the extent achievable, the use of solar photovoltaic panels across roof structures and canopy covers
Building requirements
Metering - As a minimum meter and monitor building energy and water uses and provide a monitoring strategy to capture and process the data produced by the meters
Ventilation System Attributes - demonstrate the entry of outdoor pollutants is mitigated, the system is designed for ease of maintenance and cleaning, and the system has been cleaned prior to occupation and use
Minimum Lighting Comfort - demonstrate that all lights are flicker-free and address the perception of colour by adopting a minimum colour rendering index of 80
Paints, Adhesives, Sealants and Carpets - demonstrate paints adhesives, sealants and carpets meet the stipulated ‘Total volatile organic compound limits’
Permanent Formwork, Pipes, Flooring, Blinds and cables - demonstrate 90% (by cost) of all permanent formwork, pipes, flooring, blinds and cables either do not contain PVC, have a recognised product declaration or meets the best practice PVC guidelines.
Social and Economic Sustainability
Downer has set inclusion targets for this program as part of its Local Industry Development Plan and Social Procurement Framework. Those targets are:
Aboriginal Employment Target
A minimum of 3% based on total labour hours for the delivery of the Works
Social Procurement Framework
The subcontractor will use its best endeavours to engage Indigenous Enterprises and Social Enterprises in its supply chain in performing the Works.
Major Projects Skills Guarantee
A minimum 10.1% of estimated labour hours for apprentices, trainees and cadets (Major Projects Skills Guarantee - MPSG)
Local Industry Development Plan
Local Content is calculated based on the total project value. The percentages will be changed based on the Subcontractor. Local Industry Development Plan - Local Content - (A) 95.1% minimum local content and 77.4% minimum local content – signalling
Priority Jobseeker Requirements
Long term unemployed, living with a disability, living with a mental illness, retrenched workers including workers retrenched from the automotive manufacturing and supply chain industry, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, refugees or asylum seekers, young people in out-of-home care, young people who are disengaged from education, training and employment, youth justice clients and ex-offenders - 3% of the Contractor workforce will be Priority Jobseekers undertaking the Works in Victoria, calculated as an Annualised Employee Equivalent against the Contractor workforce.
Workforce Development and Training
Implement nationally recognised accredited training and skill development programs to ensure that 20% of the workforce participates in nationally recognised accredited training.to meet all statutory obligations in relation to training, including in respect of health and safety and environmental matters.
Local and Indigenous participation
Downer has identified opportunities for local and Indigenous participation within project scopes of work. These opportunities exist to create a legacy for the areas in which Downer works, impacting on health and lifestyle, and to achieve positive outcomes for the community and consists of the following:
Indigenous Enterprises in the Supply Chain
Local Aboriginal Businesses and Enterprises
Social procurement opportunities - $2.3m spend
Promoting Indigenous involvement and awareness
Recruitment, Development and Training
Policies and general requirements
In addition to the above the project will consider:
the environmental and sustainability policies of suppliers and demonstrated implementation
initiatives that will reduce the energy, water and material profile of the construction or operation
products that have an approved environmental label or Environmental Product Declaration
approach to social procurement and engagement with social enterprises
percentage of local content in products in services
completion of Supply Chain Sustainability School modules
Next Steps
To assist in achieving a sustainable outcomes Downer has partnered with the Supply Chain Sustainability School to provide free sustainability learning resources for staff, contractors and suppliers.
Please undertake the following steps:
Step 1:
Register or log in with the Supply Chain Sustainability School.
Registration is fast, free and simple.
Register or log in
Step 2:
Get a custom learning plan by completing a short assessment.
This will help you understand your own (and your organisation’s) level of sustainability knowledge.
Complete your self assessment
Step 3:
Start learning by completing the six e-learning modules below.
Biodiversity
Australian Department of Environment: Biodiversity Legislation
Web link
10 minutesSustainable Procurement
Sustainable Procurement Resource Centre
Web link
Biodiversity
Australia’s Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity
Web link
Carbon and Energy
Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory: December 2013
Web link
Sustainable Procurement
Environmentally sustainable procurement guidelines
Tool
Sustainable Procurement
Value of sustainable procurement practices
Web link