Approach

Watpac Approach

As a national company, we accept and embrace the challenge of having a thorough understanding of the environmental issues affecting our country. The objective of Watpac’s Environmental Policy is to undertake our activities in full consideration of environmental requirements of contracts, applicable legislation, and as an environmentally responsible organisation of the broader community.

As a derivative of the Policy, Watpac’s project-specific Environmental Management Plans are designed to address those environmental issues identified in terms of the contract and applicable legislation. Our plans address a variety of possible challenges, which may include water quality and conservation, noise control, air quality, soil quality, pests such as Fire Ants, and unexploded ordnances.

Within the construction industry, environmentally sustainable design (ESD) principles form an integral part of our planning and practices. Some of the key ESD principles we strive to incorporate in our work include:

• Rainwater collection, with the water used for non-potable operations such as flushing toilets and cleaning.
• Recycled water systems that are used for irrigation, cooling tower water, and other uses.
• Solar energy, with panels fitted to rooftops that ultimately save users thousands of dollars in electricity bills.
• Energy-efficient and sensor-controlled lighting systems and air-conditioning units to prevent waste.
• Water-efficient systems, particularly in areas of the country prone to drought conditions.
• Recycling existing soil in lieu of importing new materials.
• Recycling materials on site, such as reusing concrete for backfill.
• Provision of recycling facilities within our buildings to make recycling easier and more frequent.

As a Member of the Green Building Council of Australia, we adhere to their standards and work with our clients to achieve an outcome worthy of our membership of this organisation. We also have projects that have achieved ratings from the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Scheme, and the National Australian Built Environmental Rating Scheme.