Sydney Metro: A Leader in Sustainable Railways

Sydney Metro was the 2022 winner of the Future Cities Award in the NSW Sustainability Awards, demonstrating leadership in green transport. 

In anticipation of the pipeline of investment in future transport projects, and the opportunity to drive long-term environmental and social improvements, Sydney Metro has worked with the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) to create a Green Star – Custom (Sydney Metro) rating tool which can be applied to railway stations.

Sydney Metro is revolutionising how Australia’s biggest city travels, connecting Sydney’s north west, west, south west and greater west to fast, reliable turn-up-and-go metro services with fully accessible stations.

The aim was to embed sustainability principles across their projects, supporting transparency, accountability, industry best practice, knowledge sharing and rating tool uptake across the public transport and infrastructure sector.

All seven new Sydney Metro City & Southwest underground stations have achieved a 6 Star “World Leadership” Green Star – Custom (Sydney Metro) Design Review rating in recognition of their sustainability performance.

The Green Star rating tool complements the Sydney Metro City & Southwest Sustainability Strategy and associated contractual targets, and aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

There has been a strong focus on innovation (UN SDG 9) to maximise and recognise performance through the Green Star process. Innovation points have been awarded for initiatives pertaining to climate resilience, sustainable site offices, procurement practices, workforce and community benefit.

With a focus on Sydney Metro customers, the stations have incorporated best practice wayfinding, access to active transport, and secure cycle parking. Public art and creative landscaping enhance public spaces throughout the station. Customer areas are designed for thermal and acoustic comfort, and incorporate clear communication systems, high fresh air rates and quality lighting.

Responsible consumption and production are a strong driver throughout construction and operation. Strict responsible sourcing requirements are in place for construction materials, life cycle assessments have informed project designs and embodied carbon has been minimised by substituting 48% of cement in concrete with fly ash or slag. High construction and demolition waste recycling rates (97%) have been achieved, with 68,740 tonnes diverted from landfill to date. All suitable spoil removed from each site has been beneficially reused.

Design models (using approved Green Star methodologies), predict that the stations will achieve an average of 35% reduction in operational potable water use, and 31% reduction in operational energy use. Barangaroo Station is predicted to achieve a 90% reduction in operational water use by harnessing seawater cooling.

Climate change risk assessments have been carried out for all stations and resilience measures such as increased drainage and cooling capacity built into the design. All of the electricity used during operations will be offset.

This initiative has created and strengthened partnerships towards meeting sustainability goals. The sustainability lessons learned and initiatives have been integrated into new Sydney Metro projects, further raising the bar in sustainability performance.

Given the 120-year design life of the stations, this initiative has a significant long-term legacy towards delivering sustainable and city-shaping public transport infrastructure.