Elevating ESD Targets Planning Policy Amendment

On 21 July 2022, 24 councils lodged a planning scheme amendment with the State Government, seeking to introduce planning policy that elevates sustainability requirements for new buildings and encourages a move towards net zero carbon development.

It is now 4 years since the lodgement of that amendment. 

Open Letter to the Minister for Planning 

To mark the four-year anniversary of the lodgement of the Elevating ESD Targets planning scheme amendment, CASBE issued an Open Letter to the Minister for Planning on behalf of member councils. 

 The letter called for a decision to allow the amendment to proceed to preparation and exhibition, highlighting the ongoing need for sustainable, affordable and climate-resilient development outcomes across Victoria. 

Read the Open Letter to the Minister for Planning.  

Elevating Sustainable Design – Industry case studies

To mark the three-year anniversary of the lodgement of the amendment, CASBE launched a series of sustainable design case studies from leading industry practitioners.

The projects were assessed against the Elevating ESD Target Standards, that were developed through the planning scheme amendment submitted to the Department of Transport and Planning on 21 July 2022. To be included, projects had to meet all elevated targets in at least one category. Many of the projects were assessed retrospectively, following planning approval, revealing strong alignment between industry best practice and the proposed amendment.

These real-world projects demonstrate:

• That Victoria has many examples of leadership in sustainable design.
• That the elevated ESD standards developed by local government are not aspirational – they’re achievable and already being delivered by industry.
• That collaboration between council and developers is paving the way for more sustainable, climate resilient communities.

We invite you to join the movement:

• Explore the growing online showcase of best-practice developments.
• Submit your own project for assessment and potential inclusion.

To view the showcase:

• Councils case studies:
• Industry case studies

Elevating ESD Targets objectives and standards online

To mark the two-year anniversary of the lodgement of the amendment, the Elevating ESD Targets objectives and standards were published online:

factsheets.bess.net.au/elevating-esd-targets

The goal of this proposed amendment is to elevate sustainability requirements for new buildings to better protect the natural environment, reduce resource consumption, and support the health and wellbeing of future occupants. 

Under the proposed changes, new developments would: 

• Produce net zero carbon emissions. 
• Reduce household bills by making buildings more energy efficient. 
• Provide a healthier and more comfortable environment for building occupants. 
• Better manage water quality, use and collection. 
• Protect and enhance greening and biodiversity. 
• Be more resilient to changing climate impacts. 

This collaborative project among 24 CASBE member councils, representing nearly half of Victoria’s population and development, showcases local government leadership in creating resilient, zero-carbon buildings and urban spaces. By working together councils share costs and knowledge, and provide clarity and consistency for the development community. 

Project Background

Through CASBE, these councils maintain a well-established framework, tools and guidance material (including BESS and the Sustainable Design Fact Sheets) to help councils and industry deliver ESD in new developments. This is supported by the local ESD Policies held by a number of CASBE member councils, as well as other sustainability measures in the planning scheme.

The Elevating ESD Targets planning scheme  amendment is the next step in this journey. 

Stage 1 of the project involved developing an evidence base for change. Victorian councils collaborated on a research project that involved a technical feasibility and viability analyses, a cost benefit analyses and a peer and legal review of the revised ESD policy objectives and standards.   

Stage 2 involved twenty-four Victorian councils, supported by the CASBE and the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), seeking an amendment to the Victorian planning scheme to elevate sustainability requirements for new buildings.

Since lodgement, Victorian councils have continued to advance sustainable planning outcomes, including publication of the proposed Elevating ESD Targets Standards and launch of an Industry Partnership Program in 2024, followed by the Elevating ESD Targets case study series in 2025, showcasing leading-edge Victorian projects demonstrating environmentally sustainable design.

Stage 2 Project partners

Ballarat City Council

Banyule City Council

Bayside City Council

Boroondara City Council

Darebin City Council

Frankston City Council

Glen Eira City Council

Greater Bendigo City Council

Greater Dandenong City Council

Greater Geelong City Council

Hobsons Bay City Council

Knox City Council

Maribyrnong City Council

Merri-bek City Council

Mitchell Shire Council

Moonee Valley City Council

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council

Port Phillip City Council

Stonnington City Council

Strathbogie Shire Council

Warrnambool City Council

Whitehorse City Council

Whittlesea City Council

Yarra City Council

Further information

For more information about this project please contact casbe@mav.asn.au