Environmentally Sustainable Design
The protection of our environment is an important global and local responsibility.
Yarra Council wants to help lead the transformation in how we live and use our resources in the future.
Today, buildings emit 20% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. The construction of buildings, including demolition waste, makes up 40% of landfill. And in operation, buildings use large amounts of potable water for non–drinking purposes.
For environmental, economical and social reasons, Yarra Council supports you in creating more sustainable lifestyles.
Latest news
Launch of Sustainable Design in the Planning Process (SDAPP) fact sheets
In collaboration with the Cities of Port Phillip, Stonnington and Melbourne, Yarra Council has developed and launched fact sheets outlining the 10 Key Sustainable Building Categories to support Council's SDAPP program. The fact sheets provide detailed advice on sustainable building design at the planning permit application stage, which should come in handy whether you are working on a small renovation or a large development. Each fact sheet provides useful links and references and define Council's Best Practice Standard.
The fact sheets are all available in this 
Sustainable Design in the Planning Process (SDAPP) overview (1.98 MB). Individual fact sheets are available on The 10 Key Sustainable Building Categories webpage. Hard copies of the fact sheets are expected to be available at Richmond Town Hall (333 Bridge Road) from late May 2012.
Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP) turns one year old
The Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP) program was first launched at Yarra Council on 1 March 2011. The program’s key goal is to encourage applicants for planning permits to consider the inclusion of sustainable design principles at a development’s early design stage – when the greatest benefits can be achieved at the lowest costs.
With the program’s first anniversary being celebrated, the Statutory Planning Branch has now reviewed the initial results.
The review clearly shows that for large planning applications (10 dwellings and more) the provision of sustainable design information has become a given. We have also started to observe greater confidence amongst developers and designers to include sustainable design initiatives (such as high thermal insulation levels, external shading, rain water tanks, solar hot water systems and generous bicycle parking) as standard building amenities and services.
In comparison, many applicants for medium developments (2-9 dwellings) are still reluctant to address sustainability at the planning permit stage. This is probably due to a lack of skills amongst building designers and the reluctance to obtain early advice from sustainability specialists.
From mid- 2012, it is planned to lower the trigger, with Council to begin seeking sustainable design information from applicants for single dwellings. This will continue to align sustainability requirements across different Councils.
Furthermore, Council will soon release a comprehensive suite of Sustainable Design Fact Sheets that will outline in detail the many benefits and implementation options of the 10 Key Sustainable Building Categories.
If you would like to find out more about the SDAPP program, please visit our comprehensive Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP) webpage or contact council’s ESD Advisor Johanna Trickett on 9205 5366 or at Johanna.Trickett@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Redevelopment of sustainable design tools
Funding has been secured through the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord to upgrade the Sustainable Tools for Environmental Performance Strategy (STEPS) and Sustainable Design Scorecard (SDS) tools during 2012 and 2013. This will include introducing an online interface for the SDS tool and developing an improved STEPS tool which will include added features that will cater for the assessment of large scale multi-residential developments.
As we need your valuable feedback throughout this project, we encourage you to register your name and email address on the STEPS website hosted by Moreland Council. Once you have registered, we will keep you up to date with the project’s progress and invite you to share your experience using the tools. The project team thanks you in advance for your involvement.
New online sustainable building design tool
Sustainability Victoria has released a new interactive education tool that explains the many benefits of sustainable building design.
‘Design Build Live’ on the Sustainability Victoria website not only highlights the key areas to consider when designing a new home, but also provides detailed information about the many aspects of sustainable design. It explains what to consider when:
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Choosing your location
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Designing your home
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Choosing Materials
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Designing fit outs
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Landscaping
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Living in your home.
We encourage you to have a look at this great tool and to include as many of its recommendations as possible in your own housing project.
ESD planning requirements at Yarra
From March 2011 onwards, Council’s planning application process includes Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) considerations.
The Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP) program has been developed by the MAV and is now being introduced by local Councils across Victoria.
SDAPP is:
- A practical approach to assessing sustainable development matters during the planning permit application process
- The consistent inclusion of key environmental performance considerations into the planning approvals process
- Your guide to achieving more sustainable building outcomes for the long–term benefit of the wider community.
The SDAPP section on Council's website explains what this change means for planning permit applicants and what resources and assistance is available.
Web portal
This Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP) web portal on the Moreland Energy Foundation's website is a great new information hub for Councils and applicants.
It has up-to-date information on the SDAPP program itself, a bit about the SDAPP rollout project that is assisting Councils to implement the program and improve consistency, handy resources and examples, links to other information, and contacts for the program’s administration.
In addition to the webpage you are on, it’s a great starting point for informing yourself, and briefing your project team members, about Council’s new ESD assessment program.
New energy efficiency requirements - the Building Code of Australia
The Building Code of Australia's Energy Efficiency requirements increased on 1 May 2011.
At the building permit stage, dwellings are now required to meet the following minimum standards:
- Single dwellings: minimum 6-Star Energy Rating
- Apartments: average 6-Star Energy Rating and 5-Star minimum rating for individual apartments.
More information about these new requirements can be found on the Building Commission of Victoria's website.
To make sure that your planning application meets the new requirements, Yarra’s Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP) has been designed to guide you in the incorporation of ‘best practice’ sustainable design principles.
TV show The Block goes green
Did you know that TV show The Block participated in Yarra’s new Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP) program?
Many great ESD initiatives - including photovoltaic panels for electricity generation, rainwater tanks, external flexible shading, effective cross ventilation, plenty of access to daylight and sustainable construction materials - were included in the renovations. This was due to the early involvement of Council's ESD Advisor Johanna Trickett and the project team’s objective to meet Council’s ESD best practice standards.
Here is more information on The Block’s ESD principles and their submitted SDAPP report.
Proposed ESD Local Planning Policy
Council’s request for authorisation of an ESD Local Planning Policy was submitted to the Minister for Planning Matthew Guy on 21 February 2011. Submitted with the request were letters of support from the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) and the Cities of Banyule, Boroondara, Melbourne, Moreland, Port Phillip, Stonnington and Whitehorse. The policy aims to ensure ESD principles are considered in the design phase of the planning permit process and to provide clear guidance of Council’s expectations for development to achieve appropriate ESD standards. The policy also aims to provide a sound, consistent and transparent framework for the consideration of applications for planning permits.
For the policy to be enacted, it would need to form an amendment to the Yarra Planning Scheme. When Council receives authorisation from the Minister, Council will place the proposed amendment on public exhibition and call for community feedback. Depending on the nature of the feedback received, the amendment may need to be considered by an Independent Panel, which would report back to Council with recommendations on whether the amendment be adopted, with or without changes. Council would then decide whether or not to adopt the amendment. The Minister for Planning would then decide whether or not to approve the amendment.
Council's planners get ESD focus
In November 2009, Council appointed its first ESD Advisor.
Johanna Trickett (pictured above) is an architect with a Masters in Climate Design.
Johanna was hired to undertake ESD assessments of planning applications and provide advice on how they could achieve more sustainable outcomes.
She has also been tasked with training Council’s statutory planners on ESD, introducing a consistent and transparent ESD assessment process and providing advice for Council’s major new projects.
“ESD doesn’t necessarily make buildings more expensive – the aim is to encourage solutions for buildings which provide more internal comfort while needing less technology,” Johanna said.
“You can achieve so much by getting the building orientation, the building materials and matters such as external shading right from the start.
“People can get fixated about the add-ons like energy efficient fittings or solar panels, but when the building design is right, you don’t need a lot of add-ons.”
Council joins the Green Building Council of Australia
Council has taken an important step towards adopting best practice guidelines for its future building projects by joining the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
Membership of the GBCA will allow Council to engage with the green building industry and influence the development of guidelines that help reduce the environmental impacts of new buildings.
The Green Star rating system used by the GBCA provides advice on sustainable approaches to new and refurbished buildings and can award Council official certification for projects that meet world-class sustainability standards.
Since joining the GBCA, Council has contributed $10,000 towards the development of a new rating tool specifically aimed at new public buildings.
Created in collaboration with several councils, government agencies and industries across Australia, the rating tool will be used in Yarra to guide the design and construction of future Council buildings such as child care centres, libraries and community halls.
You can find more information on the Green Building Council of Australia's website.
Sustainable Heritage Buildings
Heritage Victoria’s website has a section dedicated to sustainability, which includes practical information as well as a case study on the adaption of an existing heritage house to improve its environmental sustainability.
Click here to link to downloadable guidelines for energy efficiency regulations and sustainability guidelines for heritage buildings.
Further Information
Johanna Trickett
Environmental Sustainability Advisor
9205 5366
Johanna.Trickett@yarracity.vic.gov.au
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