NSW Environmental Protection Agency NSW Government
 

Protection of the Environment Policy for Sustainable Construction

The EPA is partnering with Infrastructure NSW to develop a landmark Protection of the Environment Policy (PEP) for Sustainable Construction. The goal is to foster low-carbon design and construction and increase the use of recycled materials in NSW public infrastructure projects.

The proposed PEP establishes a framework for reporting upfront carbon and recycled materials used in public infrastructure projects. NSW government agencies are to report to the EPA on:

  • the mandatory actions set by the Decarbonising Infrastructure Delivery Policy
  • whether the agency referenced the use of recycled materials on an ‘if not, why not’ basis during the procurement stage
  • the recycled materials used during the construction stage.

The draft PEP will align with the State Environmental Planning Policy (Sustainable Buildings) 2022.

We have been carrying out targeted consultation with industry and NSW Government agencies to ensure the settings are right to promote sustainable construction in NSW.

In April 2025, the EPA conducted a public exhibition of the draft PEP and it is now considering all submissions received. We will consider the need to make alterations to the draft PEP in response to stakeholder feedback, before recommending that it be made into law.