Thirty-one Victorian councils and CASBE are collaborating on a joint research project that aims to elevate Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) targets for new development.
This exciting project demonstrates collaborative local government leadership in the pursuit of resilient and zero-carbon buildings and urban places.
A group of CASBE member councils, led by Moreland and Yarra City Councils are working on Stage 1 of a two-stage process that aims to build on the existing local ESD Policies held by numerous Victorian Councils and deliver revised and elevated ESD targets for new development, including targets for zero carbon development.
Stage 1 aims to develop an evidence base for:
This stage will involve undertaking a technical feasibility and viability analyses, a cost benefit analyses and a peer and legal review of the revised ESD policy objectives and standards.
A future Stage 2 will involve the planning amendment process itself. This will be conducted as a group amendment, similar to the one undertaken by the six councils who collaborated on the original local ESD Policy.
The thirty-one Victorian councils and the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), representing the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enable this collaborative effort.
Undertaking the project collaboratively will:
This work supports CASBE’s Strategic Goal to elevate targets for new development, as well as the goals of the Cities of Moreland and Yarra for zero carbon Planning Schemes.
CASBE
In 2017 CASBE member councils committed to the strategic goal of raising Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) targets in planning.
Work on the CASBE Elevating Targets project commenced in 2018. In early 2021 all Victorian Councils were invited to actively participate in the project.
City of Moreland
Moreland City Council aims to achieve zero carbon targets within the Planning Scheme to improve environmental planning outcomes within the municipality.
The initiative aims to support Moreland City Council’s Zero Carbon 2040 Framework and Action Plan, address Council motions and executive decision making, as well as, deliver upon a statutory climate change pledge made under the Climate Change Act 2017 (Vic).
Key focus areas include:
City of Yarra
Through the adoption of its first Climate Emergency Plan, Yarra City Council committed to working with local and state government partners to amend the planning scheme to introduce zero carbon standards for new commercial and residential developments.
Yarra is a key CASBE member working with partner councils to develop a zero carbon development framework and build a strong evidence-base and strategic justification for zero carbon building standards.
Yarra Council and partner councils continue to engage with the state and federal government policy makers and the planning and development sectors around this work. Yarra has also developed local case studies of zero carbon developments. Further information here.
City of Melbourne Amendment C376 (Sustainable Building Design)
We would like to acknowledge the significant work that City of Melbourne has already undertaken with Amendment C376. The City of Melbourne’s leadership has significantly informed the Elevating Targets project.
The proposed Elevating ESD Targets Planning Scheme Amendment project and City of Melbourne’s Amendment C376 are mutually supportive. They both aim for innovative and impactful planning policy that delivers resilient and zero carbon development.
The CASBE Elevating Targets project has involved an extensive consultative process with member councils, including the City of Melbourne, in an effort to deliver strategic outcomes for a broad group of councils.
DELWP ‘Environmentally sustainable development of buildings and subdivisions: A Roadmap for Victorian Planning System’ (‘ESD Roadmap’)
Where possible CASBE works with and engages DELWP staff.
We are committed to providing regular updates to DELWP on the joint council project.
We are of the view that it is important to progress the Elevating ESD Targets Planning Policy Amendment alongside the DELWP ESD Roadmap for the following reasons:
Ballarat City Council
Banyule City Council
Bayside City Council
Boroondara City Council
Brimbank City Council
Darebin City Council
Frankston City Council
Glen Eira City Council
Greater Bendigo City Council
Greater Dandenong City Council
Greater Geelong City Council
Greater Shepparton City Council
Hobsons Bay City Council
Hume City Council
Knox City Council
Maribyrnong City Council
Maroondah City Council
Mitchell Shire Council
Moonee Valley City Council
Moreland City Council
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
Mount Alexander Shire Council
Port Phillip City Council
Stonnington City Council
Strathbogie Shire Council
Warrnambool City Council
Whitehorse City Council
Whittlesea City Council
Wodonga City Council
Wyndham City Council
Yarra City Council
For more information about this project please contact casbe@mav.asn.au
Junglefy Breathing Wall. Photo City of Melbourne