Sustainability standards for temporary site accommodation

The Responsible Construction Leadership Group (RCLG) and the Australian Constructors Association’s (ACA) Sustainability Working Party recently brought key construction players, site shed manufacturers and the NSW Government together to discuss adopting industry-wide sustainability standards for temporary site accommodation.

Contractors and subcontractors often spend their entire careers working from temporary site facilities — buildings which are currently not afforded the same workplace quality as that of those being constructed. The RCLG is keen to ensure that minimum standards enable sustainable site facilities to be not only commercially viable for head contractors, but that manufacturers are able to comply with any minimum sustainability standard requirements developed.

“Site accommodation not only has an environmental impact, but can also positively impact the wellbeing of its occupants and there is a real desire within the industry to set best-practice sustainability standards for temporary site facilities,” said the RCLG’s sustainable site facilities project lead and built senior project engineer – sustainability & quality, Joe Karten.

Over 22 organisations from across the industry participated in the Sustainable Site Facilities Workshop, including NSW Public Works, Downer, Coates Hire, Ausco Modular, ATCO, Royal Wolf, Built, Mirvac and Lendlease. Karten said, “RCLG was excited to kickstart the discussion by bringing to the table a recommended scope of works that looks to improve areas including internal environment quality, energy use, water use and resource efficiency.”

The RCLG Working Group has reviewed and updated specifications based on the workshop feedback and is now seeking further input from industry. Karten said the group encourages “all those along the construction supply chain to review the scope of works and provide their feedback as soon as possible”.

To view the output of the workshop and the Sustainable Site Facilities scope of works, visit www.responsibleconstruction.org/sustainable-site-facilities.html. Feedback can be provided by emailing joekarten@built.com.au by 30 August 2016.