Advocacy

CASBE advocates on behalf of its member councils for stronger sustainability outcomes in the built environment across Victoria. We provide a unified local government voice in policy discussions around sustainability, helping guide scale appropriate environmentally sustainable design (ESD) through evidence-based submissions, strategic partnerships, and collaborative research.

We work across government and industry to:

Represent local government perspectives in planning and building reform
Contribute to state and national policy consultations
Support research into transition pathways for sustainable buildings
Promote best practice through case studies and shared knowledge
Collaborate with industry bodies to align policy and practice

CASBE Position paper - Planning for Sustainable and Resilient Communities – 2025 and Beyond

On 4 August 2025, CASBE released its position paper Planning for Sustainable and Resilient Communities – 2025 and Beyond. Developed in collaboration with member councils, this paper sets out our proactive vision for embedding ESD into Victoria’s planning system. It highlights key opportunities to strengthen sustainability across various development types and processes.

The paper outlines 4 key positions:

Strengthen sustainability standards for townhouses and low-rise residential development by reinstating ESD provisions already demonstrated to be achievable and successful.
Expediate the completion of Stage 2 of the state government ESD Roadmap by introducing robust and comprehensive ESD standards for all building types and subdivisions.
Embed consistent and ambitious ESD requirements in Activity Centre Structure Plans and associated planning scheme ordinance to ensure equitable access to sustainable, adaptive and resilient developments.
Empower local governments to elevate ESD targets by authorising the Elevating ESD Targets Planning Scheme Amendment.

Supporting broader state strategies in planning reform, climate action, and housing, the paper calls for greater emphasis on long-term resilience and affordability. CASBE invites stakeholders to explore the paper and engage with local government partners in shaping a more sustainable built environment for Victoria.

Download the position paper here.