The RTA is committed to undertaking its activities in an environmentally responsible manner and effectively managing any risks that may lead to an impact on the environment. The environmental impact of our activities includes managing issues such as: water, biodiversity, contaminated land, acid sulphate soils, erosion and sedimentation, noise, heritage and air quality.
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the array of all life forms; it includes not only the number of species, but also their genetic information and the ecosystems they form. Australian ecosystems contain many species found nowhere else in the world. Ecosystem processes regulate air, soil and water quality.
Road development and operation have the potential to impact on wildlife and habitats. Biodiversity needs to be considered prior to commencing works where roadside vegetation will need to be removed or disturbed.
Roadside Environment Committee includes Local Government.
Land
The RTA is committed to managing contaminated land in accordance with relevant contaminated land legislation and industry standard best management practices. As part of this commitment, contaminated land management is incorporated into the planning, design and operation of the NSW State Road network. Appropriate assessment, investigation and management of contaminated land is required for the purchase, management and sale of all land.
RTA Contaminated Land Management Guidelines (2005)
Acid Sulphate Materials (ASM) are naturally occurring soils, sediments and rock that are acidic by nature. They contain sulfides, which if exposed to air oxidate and can form sulfuric acid.
Although Acid Sulphate Soils are concentrated in coastal environments, there is potential for other ASM to have widespread distribution in the landscape. If disturbed, all forms of ASM can cause unacceptable environmental impacts, including acidification of waterways, major fish kills, habitat destruction, loss of agricultural productivity, geotechnical instability and corrosion of concrete and steel structures.
RTA Acid Sulphate Soils Guidelines (2005)
Pesticides
The New South Wales Pesticides Regulation 1995 requires public authorities such as the RTA and local councils to prepare a Pesticide Use Notification Plan that outlines how they will notify the community of pesticide applications made to public places. The RTA finalised the RTA Pesticide Use Notification Plan following a 4-week public exhibition period.
RTA Pesticide Notification Plan
Noise
The RTA's Environmental Noise Management Manual (ENMM) details the standard for managing noise impacts from road traffic. The Manual provides the management response to the NSW Government's Environmental Criteria for Road Traffic Noise and other approved noise guidelines prepared by the Department of Environment and Conservation.
RTA Environmental Noise Management Manual (2001)
DECC New South Wales Construction Noise Guideline (2008) (DRAFT)
DECC Environmental Criteria for Road Traffic Noise (1999)
DECC New South Wales Industrial Noise Policy (2000)
DECC Assessing Vibration: A Technical Guideline (2006)
Water
Works will use the most appropriate water management practices in the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of the roads and traffic system in order to: conserve water; protect the quality of water resources; and preserve ecosystems.
RTA Code of Practice for Water Management
RTA Guidelines for Construction Water Quality Monitoring
Heritage
The RTA Heritage Guidelines are based on the RTA's Strategic Plan, and have been prepared to assist staff who are involved in planning and environmental assessment of activities, property management & information and road & bridge asset maintenance.
RTA Heritage Guidelines
The RTA needs to manage the impact of its activities on Aboriginal cultural heritage and meet its legislative responsibilities in an appropriate, practical and culturally sensitive manner.
RTA Procedure for Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation and Investigation
Waste
The Government’s waste management focus is to provide a clear and consistent regulatory and policy framework that minimises harm to the environment and delivers greater waste avoidance and resource recovery. This framework uses a mix of legislative, policy, educative and economic tools to encourage waste avoidance and the further recovery of resources. Relevant guidance can be found at the following links below.
RTA Waste Minimisation
DECC Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery in NSW
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