Project Description
The Hawkesbury River and Warrawee upgrade works (the Project) were completed as part of the Transport Access Program (TAP), a NSW Government initiative delivering safe, modern and accessible public transport infrastructure across the state. Providing accessible transport services for everyone in the community is one of the six priorities for Transport for NSW’s Future Transport Strategy. The third tranche of the Transport Access Program, known as TAP 3, seeks to improve access to public transport for those with a disability, limited mobility, and parents and carers with prams.
The Project provides safe and accessible spaces that encourage community wellbeing through active transport provisions.
Works at the Hawkesbury River upgrade included:
- two new lifts to provide access to the station platforms;
- a new accessible parking space and kiss and ride space;
- a new accessible pathway and pedestrian crossing to the new accessible parking space;
- a new family accessible toilet and two unisex ambulant toilets;
- improvements to CCTV; and
- lighting to increase safety and security.
Works at the Warrawee upgrades include:
- a new lift between the platform and existing footbridge;
- a canopy from the new lift to the station building on the platform;
- two new accessible parking spaces and a new kiss and ride space on Heydon Avenue;
- four new kiss and ride spaces on Warrawee Avenue;
- new accessible pathways through the station precinct;
- a new family accessible toilet and unisex ambulant toilet;
- a new bike shelter;
- and improvements to CCTV and lighting.
Key Achievements
The Project leaves a legacy of sustainable infrastructure, advancing the NSW Government’s commitment to a low-carbon future and achieving environmental, economic and social sustainability outcomes. The project was awarded Leading Design IS Rating by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council.
Key sustainability initiatives and project achievements include:
- Estimated greenhouse gas emissions saving of approximately 1,150 tCO2-e
- Estimated 18% reduction in materials footprint associated with the project design
- Climate change risk assessment and adaptation
- Positive contribution to the community and active transport through the provision of bike hoops at the Hawkesbury River and Warrawee Train Stations to enable train commuters to ride and safely park their bikes at the station
- Heritage aspects at Warrawee and Hawkesbury River Stations have been protected and the local Aboriginal heritage included as part of the project site heritage interpretation panels at the stations.
Highlights
Highlight 1 - Using Resources: Achieving reductions in resource use
The Project demonstrated resource footprint reductions which will be realised across the asset life cycle, supporting the NSW Government’s commitment to resource efficiency and climate resilience. A summary of key energy, water, and materials reduction initiatives implemented follows.
Energy and Carbon
Carbon and energy initiatives implemented on the project have resulted in an estimated greenhouse gas emissions saving of about 1,150 tCO2-e. The most significant energy use and GHG emissions reductions over the lifecycle of the project are associated with maximising the efficiency of the design of the lift shaft ventilation system, the inclusion of passive ventilation louvres, and the installation of LED lighting.
Water
Efforts to reduce construction water use as much as possible were implemented onsite. A water tank was provided at each station site to collect and reuse water during construction (initiatives included the reuse of collected water in pedestrian barriers, for irrigation and wash down).
The project has also achieved reductions in operational water use through the installation of water efficient fixtures and fittings in the new accessible toilet facilities being constructed as part of the project.
Overall, the project demonstrated a reduction of 11% in water use for construction and operations.
Materials
The project has modelled an estimated 18% reduction in materials footprint associated with the project design. A key contributor to this reduction is the procurement of locally sourced steel with a very high recycled content and efficient production method.
Highlight 2 - Commitment to climate change adaptation
Climate change risks were identified and assessed for each station in accordance with Transport for NSW Climate Change Risk Assessment Guidelines and AS-534 Climate Change Adaptation for Settlements and Infrastructure: A Risk Based Approach (Australian Standards 2013). This included consideration of both direct and indirect climate change risks over the forecast useful life of the asset and involved a multi-disciplinary team to identify risks and issues.
Key measures to address potential impacts of future climate change on the operation of the asset were focused around reducing impacts associated with increased intensity and frequency of high heat days, increased severity and frequency of storm events, and potential impacts associated with extreme rainfall events and flooding. This included the installation of a new station canopy at Warrawee, installing earthing and lighting protection, designing aboveground assets to protect against wind and rain, and designing pavements to avoid carbonation impacts.
Station canopy at Warrawee Station
Highlight 3 - Designing with the community in mind
The project has made a positive contribution to community active transport by providing bike hoops at the Hawkesbury River Train Station to enable train commuters to ride and safely park their bikes at the station, and providing bike hoops and a shelter over the bike hoops at Warrawee Station. The inclusion of increased bicycle hoops in the design resulted from outcomes of consultation feedback from the local community and Council.
Hawkesbury River Station
Bike hoops and shelter at Warrawee Station
Heritage aspects at Warrawee and Hawkesbury River Stations have been protected and Heritage Interpretation Plans prepared and incorporated into the design. The local Aboriginal heritage has been researched and included as part of the project site heritage interpretation panels at the stations.
Heritage interpretation panel – Warrawee Station
Heritage Interpretation panel – Hawkesbury River Station
Heritage Interpretation panel – Hawkesbury River Station