Making her mark: Sasika Perera

With over 12 years of experience, Sasika Perera, a Sustainability Engineering and Integration Advisor, brings both passion and expertise to her role at MACA. Originally specialising in structural engineering, Sasika spent two years as a high-rise building designer, followed by eight years in infrastructure project engineering. Now, as a sustainability advisor, she’s actively transforming how the industry approaches sustainable solutions in construction and mining.

Reflecting on her journey, Sasika shares, “I wanted to be an engineer from a young age, but as I began working, I became increasingly aware of the environmental impact our industry has.” Driven by a desire to make a difference, Sasika works on implementing sustainable solutions that balance value and environmental responsibility.

Innovative projects at MACA

Sasika has been involved in several groundbreaking projects that demonstrate her commitment to sustainability:

• GFRP Bridge Deck for Freeway Pedestrian Overpass: Introducing Australia’s first major road use of glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP), Sasika’s team replaced traditional concrete decks with GFRP, constructed from recycled materials to create a durable and sustainable alternative.

• Robovoid System: Sasika led a project to incorporate Robovoid, a recycled plastic system that reduces concrete and steel usage by creating voids within concrete structures. Her leadership helped address technical challenges and paved the way for its adoption in Australian infrastructure.

• Calcined Clay for Sustainable Concrete: Through a federal grant, Sasika initiated a feasibility study with The University of Melbourne to recycle excavated clays for concrete. This project, which is moving to full-scale trials, holds potential for more sustainable concrete solutions.

A sustainability advocate in mining

In her current role, Sasika emphasizes the importance of addressing the “quadruple bottom line” of sustainability in mining, focusing on resource optimization, environmental impact reduction, climate change mitigation, and social responsibility. Sasika's engineering skills enable her to design energy-efficient systems, advocate for renewable energy sources, and support policies that promote sustainable practices.

Living the DARE values

Recognised for embodying MACA’s DARE values—Discover, Accountability, Respect, and Empowered—Sasika integrates these principles into her daily work. “I’m passionate about regenerative infrastructure and living in harmony with nature,” she explains. Her commitment to knowledge-sharing has seen her collaborating with experts across universities and industries to develop cutting-edge, sustainable solutions.

Advice for the next generation

To young women pursuing similar careers, Sasika’s advice is simple but powerful: “Do what makes you happy in the long run. Embrace challenges and learn from failures—‘The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.’”

Outside of work, Sasika finds balance through nature, family time, and her insatiable curiosity for learning. Her dedication to engineering a sustainable future is both an inspiration and a beacon for the industry.