Planning for sustainable buildings

MAV Environment Conference 2014Thursday 1 May 2014

Elizabeth Brant Andrea SkrabaYarra City Council Whitehorse City Council

Background

• International • UN World Commission on Environment and Development (1987)• Agenda 21 (1992)• UN Conference on Sustainable Development (2012)

• National• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999• Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Act 2010• Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012• Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment (1992)

• State• Planning and Environment Act 1987• Building Act 1993• Strategic plans (eg Plan Melbourne, Regional Growth Plans)

Background

• Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP):• Refers to the consistent inclusion of key environmental

performance considerations into the planning permit approvals process in order to achieve more sustainable outcomes for the long-term benefit of the wider community

• 10 key sustainable design criteria• Development of sustainable built form assessment tools:

• STEPS – Moreland City Council• SDS – Port Phillip City Council

• CASBE formed to advocate for sustainable built environment outcomes and policy support

The ESD policy

• Initiated in 2009 by Moreland City Council• Sets out ESD information requirements for new developments:

• Scaled system based on size and type of development• Tailored to Council circumstances

• Authorisation to exhibit received from Minister for Planning in mid-2012

• Exhibition by six Councils in early 2013• Minister appointed Advisory Committee in June 2013• Advisory Committee/Panel hearing held late 2013

Advisory Committee and Panel process

• Terms of Reference raised high level questions:• What are the roles of the planning and building systems in relation to

regulation of ESD matters • Appropriateness of assessment tools• Effect on intergovernmental agreements• Interaction with building and other legislation• State versus local application• Thresholds for application requirements• Effect of policies when used with other measures• Qualitative versus quantitative assessment• Mandatory versus discretionary controls• Costs versus benefits• What is best practice

Advisory Committee/Panel findings

• Summary of findings:• That planning and building both have a significant role to play in

achieving sustainable development.• State Planning Policy Framework is a good starting point, but it

needs improving, as do the Building Regulations, and the two need better integration.

• A State-wide approach would be the most effective, but in the absence of that local policies should be supported.

• There are clear positive economic, social and environmental benefits to be gained through the consideration of ESD at the planning stage.

• Need to consider affordability beyond just the construction phase and include the ongoing costs of the property.

Advisory Committee/Panel recommendations

• Key recommendations:• Rename policy to Environmentally Sustainable Development• Include definition of ‘best practice’• Develop and include SDAPP fact sheets as reference documents

in the policies• Adopt the policies generally as exhibited:

• Wording changes• Definitions• Explanatory notes• More detailed application requirements and decision

guidelines

Lessons learnt

• Councils can work together to achieve common goal:• Diverse range of Councils• Streamlining of internal and reporting processes• Compromise and communication

• Having a solid evidence base is important:• Proven evidence and outcomes• Accepted methodologies

Next steps

• Councils will consider the Advisory Committee/Panel report• Councils to submit to Minister for Planning for approval• Continued advocacy:

• State-wide approach?• Changes to BCA?• Non-statutory mechanisms?