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Materials Selection

In the initial development of the venues and facilities at Sydney Olympic Park high priority was given to using non-toxic, non-polluting and environmentally sustainable materials in design and constuction, events management, maintenance, refurbishment and other operational activities at Sydney Olympic Park.

The Authority continues to prioritise the use of sustainable materials in its management activities.

Environmental Outcomes

Wherever practicable, the selection of materials for use in new developments and the modification, maintenance, repair and/or refurbishment of existing assets within Sydney Olympic Park should consider whole-of-life impacts on the environment.

Development, events and management practices should minimse the use of materials which deplete natural resources or create toxic pollution in their manufacture, use or disposal.

Selection of materials should be consistent with the Environmental Guidelines and, where relevant, consider life-cycle assessment including:

  • impact on natural ecosystem from which the material was extracted/grown
  • embodied energy
  • energy consumption
  • greenhouse gas emissions 
  • toxicity of material in production, use and disposal
  • recyclable content and potential for end-of-life reuse or recyclability
  • nature of waste generated by disposal of the product
  • transport and distribution requirements
  • operational effectiveness
  • maintenance
  • durability
  • impact on project cost and delivery.

Materials selection should also consider emerging environmental technologies and processes that can be demonstrated to deliver environmentally superior results. In addition, materials selection should be compatible with the character of the surrounding areas and express the character of the proposed or existing building or structure.

More Information
The Sydney Olympic Park Authority is an inaugural member of the Green Building Council of Australia and will work with other members to promote best practice sustainable materials selection, waste minimisation and recycling.