Embedding sustainability in infrastructure assessment will help to drive more sustainable and cost-effective projects. In particular, sustainability should be considered during problem identification, options development and base and project cases for cost-benefit analysis and material impacts.
For assets that are procured, funded and built by the Australian Government, states and territories and local councils, there need to be nationally consistent sustainability guidelines. This will ensure investments maximise opportunities to deliver sustainability outcomes and reduce emissions.
Sustainability requirements in infrastructure assessment vary across jurisdictions. Infrastructure NSW are leaders in this area, with extensive guidelines on how to incorporate sustainability into infrastructure planning and business cases. While increasing in their maturity, the remaining Jurisdictions do not have comprehensive requirements and rely on the Infrastructure Australia Assessment Framework for guidance on sustainability and climate adaptation.92
Further collaboration and harmonisation between Jurisdictions would provide consistent infrastructure planning and decision-making, including adaptation and mitigation.