Earth Day 2023: Invest in Our Planet

It’s Earth Day! 🌎 🌱

As part of its ESG Strategy, Ghella aims to maximize the reuse of excavated materials to actively contribute to the ecological transition and reduce negative impacts on our Earth.

In line with circular economy principles, our Cross River Rail project in Australia established an important partnership with Austral Bricks Rochedale, a brick manufacturer in the Brisbane area. About 60,000 m³ of the material generated by the excavation of the 5.9 km twin tunnel and 4 new stations will be used by Austral Bricks to produce bricks for the local market and for those of New Zealand and Asia.

The amount of excavated material provided by Cross River Rail will provide raw materials for Austral bricks for the next 5 or 6 years. In fact, it is estimated that 50% of the brick buildings built in South-East Queensland over the coming years, such as houses, hospitals and schools, will contain “a piece” of the Cross River Rail tunnel.

Approximately 80% of the excavated material has been reused or stored for future use: at the peak of excavation, this produced enough bricks to build at least 40 homes each day.

Raising the bar and exceeding best practice for both people and the planet is the way forward.

One person’s trash can be another’s treasure!