Perth Airport’s Terminal Two (T2) Apron Expansion and Aviation Support Precinct (ASP) has become a benchmark for sustainable aviation infrastructure in Australia.
Recent works at Perth Airport are technically ambitious, logistically complex, and now recognised with an Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Essentials Design Rating.
The design phase for the $80 million project was completed in May 2025 and Stage One civil works have been completed. It is the first airport development to earn the IS Essentials Design Rating under the Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s (ISC) v2.1 framework.
Delivered by Perth Airport’s property team Skyfields, in collaboration with GHD and West Coast Civil, the works are central to the airport’s broader consolidation and growth strategy.
Boosting regional aviation capacity
The works support Perth Airport’s plan to consolidate all commercial operations within its Central Airport Precinct. This includes building new apron space for Terminal Two to meet growing demand for overnight aircraft parking – particularly from resource-based and regional charter flights.
“There are currently 38 overnight aircraft parking positions at T2,” said Perth Airport Acting CEO Kate Holsgrove at the project’s start.
“Based on the demand of our airline partners, we will deliver an additional six remote parking positions by early next year and we are also looking at delivering an additional 11 positions, providing 55 parking positions for T2 in the future – providing a 45 per cent increase in capacity.”
The adjacent Aviation Support Precinct is designed to co-locate vital services such as ground handling, freight logistics, catering, and aircraft maintenance.
Sustainability by design, not just delivery
Sustainability considerations were embedded from day one. The IS Essentials framework aided this goal by providing a systematic approach to improving the project’s resource, water, and energy efficiency.
“IS Essentials helped ensure resource efficiency and carbon reduction were front and centre for this project,” said Angie Young, Perth Airport’s Chief People, Safety & Sustainability Officer.
“It led to smart choices to cut resource use and construction energy. It also opened the door for contractors to gain valuable experience in delivering sustainable outcomes.”
Among the headline results: the project team expects a 15 per cent reduction in embodied emissions – equating to 820 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent – through measures such as reusing existing fill, retaining lower pavement layers, and using recycled crumbed rubber in place of virgin asphalt.
Water efficiency was also targeted. By using dewatering water and drainage from the airport estate, the project is expected to conserve more than 57,000 kilolitres of potable water across construction activities like dust suppression and compaction.
Smart systems and long-term thinking
The team also embraced energy modelling and enhanced operational design upgrades.
Site offices will be powered by solar generation and on-site batteries, substituting an estimated 137,500 litres of diesel fuel. Motion-sensor lighting in new facilities like the gatehouse will drive down energy demand after construction.
The project further included climate resilience planning out to 2090. High-risk climate hazards were modelled and analysed, with mitigation measures incorporated into asset design.
West Coast Civil, the lead civil contractor, not only implemented new sustainability practices but also contributed to industry culture, including promoting mental health awareness on-site in partnership with the Happiness Co Foundation.
“Using IS Essentials provided a clear, structured path for integrating sustainability into every decision,” said GHD Sustainability Consultant Nikita Worthington.
“It encouraged collaboration across teams, promoting innovation and smarter choices like reduced pavement thickness and alternative water sourcing.”
A template for future infrastructure
The benefits of the rating process extend beyond this single project. Lessons learned are already informing other Skyfields initiatives, from procurement standards to lifecycle cost assessments.
“The use of IS Essentials for this project at Perth Airport has provided tangible emission reductions through the project but also provided solid lessons we can carry over to future projects,” Young said.
The ISC sees it as a sign of things to come.
“This has been a really important project for ISC, both in terms of seeing the Essentials tool used well, but also as we look to increase our work with airports, ports, and non-traditional infrastructure, such as data centres,” said Toby Kent, CEO of ISC.
