For Winslow, sustainability isn’t just a box to tick – it’s a responsibility to embrace. While the civil construction company has championed sustainable practices for years, it hasn’t always been vocal about its efforts.
Dean Lal, Winslow’s group environment and sustainability manager, says the company’s focus has always been on delivering results, not seeking recognition.
“We’ve realised that sharing what we’ve learned can drive broader change across the industry. It’s not about saying, ‘look at us.’ It’s about fostering collaboration and empowering others to join the journey,” says Lal.
With more than 25 years of environmental sustainability expertise, Lal understands the power of collective action. Winslow’s projects are designed with sustainability in mind, but the company is now stepping up to forge deeper partnerships with government and private clients to amplify its influence.
“Our sustainability strategy doesn’t just align with government requirements – it exceeds them,” says Lal. “We’re driving innovation on major infrastructure works, setting new standards, and helping lead the industry forward.”
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Achieving excellence
Winslow recently raised the bar by securing an IS v2.1 Ecology credit (Eco-1) for the Sunbury Road and Lathams Road Upgrades under the Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s (ISC) rating scheme. The IS Rating Scheme evaluates economic, social and environmental performance across all phases of infrastructure projects.
“This was our first time pursuing these ratings, and we secured three excellent outcomes. It’s a testament to the expertise and collaboration across our teams and with Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV),” says Lal. “While Tier 1 contractors have been working in this space for years, we’ve proven that we are now on par with these industry leaders, a fact that has been acknowledged by MRPV.”
Tackling challenges like brownfields environments and rigorous compliance head-on, Winslow’s efforts didn’t just meet expectations – they exceeded them. Tools like SoilFlo, which tracks soil movements, enabled high spoil reuse rates while hitting environmental benchmarks. Meanwhile, Aqua Prep, a hydro-demolition method using 100 per cent recycled non-potable water, reduced reliance on potable water and eliminated the need to transport contaminated water offsite, minimising environmental and logistical impacts. These initiatives align with ecologiQ, a Victorian Government program that promotes the use of recycled materials and a circular economy approach in transport infrastructure projects.
Another game-changer, the Guard Dog Drain Filter, safeguarded waterways by trapping sediment at stormwater grates, outperforming traditional solutions like silt logs.
“This approach is more reliable, sustainable and lasts up to six months with minimal maintenance,” says Lal.
While these tools have delivered impressive results, Lal highlights that collaboration with clients and stakeholders is the cornerstone of success when it comes to sustainability.
“Engaging with clients early in the process is crucial. We cannot achieve these outcomes alone; everyone involved needs to be aligned,” he says. “Innovation during the design phase opens up far more opportunities to implement sustainable solutions. Waiting until the delivery phase makes meaningful changes much harder to achieve.”
Lal notes that Winslow’s use of SoilFlo, Aqua Prep and the Guard Dog Drain Filter on the Sunbury and Lathams Road Upgrades marked their first application in Australia – a testament to the company’s proactive approach to innovation.
Building a culture of leadership
Winslow’s sustainability efforts are powered by its core values – Family, Accountability, Commitment, Empowerment and Safety (FACES). Empowerment, in particular, plays a crucial role in enabling every team member to take ownership of sustainability initiatives.
“This isn’t just about leadership at the top,” says Lal. “From the CEO to construction crews, everyone is driving change. Our CEO’s unwavering commitment to sustainability has united the entire organisation behind this vision.”
This leadership and teamwork were recognised when Winslow’s Sunbury Road Upgrade team won the 2024 Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) Earth Award for the best project over $150 million, further solidifying the company’s commitment to environmental excellence.
Also in 2024, the Winslow Environment and Sustainability Team was awarded the CCF Industry Award for Sustainability Excellence. The team was recognised for exemplifying excellence in initiative, capability and subject matter expertise, demonstrating a commitment to learning, supporting delivery teams and advancing broader sustainability initiatives across Winslow.
“Collectively, the team has shown immense capability in leading cultural change within Winslow while transforming the planning, design and delivery processes and practices across both MRPV and other projects,” says Lal.
“These awards underscore what can be achieved when you equip your team with the right resources, empower them to innovate and provide clear direction. It’s all about enabling individuals to excel and contribute meaningfully. Our success stems from our people.”
Positioned for change
With new legislation requiring sustainability reporting from 2025, Winslow is ahead of the curve, with sustainability already embedded in its operations. Compliance is therefore a natural extension of its existing practices.
Under the legislation, Winslow’s mandatory sustainability reporting will commence 1 July 2026. This will include climate change scenario analysis, assessing the potential impacts of temperature increases while identifying associated risks, as well as financial implications and management strategies.
The company will also implement carbon accounting. Reporting will begin with Scope 1 and 2 emissions in the first year, with limited Scope 3 emissions included in the second year. By the fourth and fifth years, Scope 3 reporting will expand and require external verification by auditors.
“Given that Scope 3 emissions involve activities related to assets not owned or controlled by Winslow, collaboration with stakeholders is critical,” says Lal. “Many stakeholders are already engaged due to their experience in this area, but others will need to adapt. This will be a highly collaborative process, and those who fail to keep up risk being left behind.”
Taking responsibility
Winslow is also laser-focused on setting long-term goals, especially around emissions reduction. “Right now, our priority is gathering baseline data. Once we have that data, we can establish realistic, achievable goals,” says Lal.
“We aim to set incremental targets that allow for steady progress and acceleration over time, rather than committing to unrealistic aspirations.”
From groundbreaking innovations like SoilFlo and Aqua Prep to earning top-tier ratings, Winslow is not only addressing industry challenges but also demonstrating what it means to build responsibly for the future.
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