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ESD Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions regarding environmentally sustainable design in the planning process:
Small to Medium Developments
For those developments falling into the category of Small to Medium (please refer to the submission guidelines information above) a Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA) should be submitted (voluntary for small developments). The SDA can generally be prepared by an applicant without the need to engage a sustainability consultant.
Council recommends the use of two free web-based tools to assist in the preparation of an SDA, these are STEPS for residential applications, and SDS for non-residential applications (see further detail below). Use of these tools will allow applicants to easily demonstrate that their project meets minimum environmental compliance standards.
STEPS (Residential Applications)
STEPS is an interactive, user-friendly, web-based rating tool for residential buildings. It was developed as part of the Moreland Sustainable Tools for Environmental Performance Strategy (STEPS) project. A guide to using the STEPS tools is located on the main website page under ‘explanatory documents’.
Please note that Council strongly encourages applicants to complete a House Energy Rating (ie. FirstRate5) assessment prior to using the STEPS tool. Completing an energy rating early in the planning stage allows the house orientation and glazing specifications to be optimised in order to obtain the maximum benefit from passive solar design.
SDS (Non-Residential Applications)
Originally developed in 1999 by the City of Port Phillip, the Sustainable Design Scorecard (SDS) is intended to assess and quantify the environmental performance of non-residential developments (such as commercial, industrial and retail developments). The Scorecard facilitates a more sustainable approach to design through seven main categories: Energy Efficiency, Transport, Water, Waste, Materials, Indoor Environment Quality and Innovation. A building must achieve a minimum required score in each category.
Large Developments
For residential and non-residential developments in the Large category (please refer to the submission guidelines information above for further detail), a more comprehensive submission is required. The nature of larger developments provides the opportunity for increased environmental benefits and the opportunity for major resource savings. For these developments it may be necessary to engage a sustainability consultant to prepare the required ESD Management Plan and associated Green Travel Plan.
Council recommends the use of the Green Star suite of rating tools developed by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) as a reference for creating an ESD Management Plan. Rating tools are currently available in the following categories: Multi-Unit Residential, Industrial, Office, Retail Centre, Healthcare, and Education with others currently under development. The tools can be freely downloaded (in Microsoft Excel format) from the GBCA website.
Environmental sustainability in your development is important whether it is a residential extension, new dwelling or larger commercial or industrial building. Today, buildings emit 20% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, waste from the construction and demolition of buildings makes up 40% of landfill and in operation buildings, use large amounts of potable water for non–drinking purposes. Incorporating the basic principles of Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) will result in cleaner buildings that are safer and cheaper to operate.
Environmentally Sustainable Designed (ESD) buildings are more comfortable and healthy to inhabit, and while there may be marginally increased construction costs, there are also ongoing financial benefits through reduced running costs. Maximising the performance of energy and water efficiency measures is additionally expected to result in an increased market value when selling or leasing your property.
Integrating ESD elements in the built form has a number of benefits for the broader community - reduced greenhouse gas emissions; reduced water use; reduction in the impact of flooding events; protection of water quality; more sustainable resource use and reduced waste, and support of sustainable products and materials industries.
Whitehorse City Council is committed to a sustainable natural environment. One of the greatest impacts upon this is the built form and Council has several roles in improving the performance in this area:
- Leading by example. Designing and building projects that have a minimal impact upon the environment through the application of the tools to our own projects.
- Support and Education. Provision of information and technical support to individuals and organisations.
- Advocacy. Continue to advocate to other levels of Government for a state wide and consistent approach to improving the performance of the built form or enabling Local Government to include higher standards within its controls.