Victorian councils have been working together to advance how Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) is addressed in the planning system.
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.
Two years since the planning scheme amendment was lodged, Victorian councils continue to lead with action on sustainable planning. The proposed Elevating Targets Standards are now published online and an Industry Partnership Program has been launched. As part of the program, industry leaders are invited to consider the elevated sustainability standards for their exemplary projects.
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.
To mark the two-year anniversary of the lodgement of the amendment, the Elevating ESD Targets objectives and standards are now 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:
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.
The CASBE Elevating ESD Targets Councils are seeking to work with leading industry practitioners on an Industry Partnership Program.
Despite councils still waiting authorisation of the amendment, significant policy reforms have recently emerged, including the Victorian government’s mandate for all new housing requiring a planning permit to be all-electric, the state’s ESD reforms under amendment VC216, the National Construction Code’s seven-star energy efficiency requirements for housing, and new electric vehicle provisions for buildings. These reforms address some of the proposed Elevating ESD Targets standards.
To maintain their leadership and drive progress on sustainable building practices, the councils have published online the “Elevating ESD Targets standards” that were originally submitted in 2022 as part of their proposed planning scheme amendment.
Development applicants with projects aiming for exemplary ESD outcomes are invited to demonstrate the proposed Elevating ESD Targets standards are achievable and help to set a new benchmark for sustainable development.
This invitation is not a new mandatory requirement, but an opportunity for industry to showcase leading examples of sustainability and test some of the proposed standards.
Please contact your council for more information.
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
For more information about this project please contact casbe@mav.asn.au