Environmentally Sustainable Design for Planning & Development Applicat

We are committed to creating an environmentally sustainable and liveable city. We can assist you to incorporate environmentally sustainable design (ESD) into your development during the planning process.

When applying for a planning permit you are required to include ESD information within your application as per Hume Planning Scheme, Clause 15.01-2L-03 Environmental sustainable design – Hume. The clause can be viewed on the Victorian Government’s planning scheme web page.

What ESD information should be submitted?

Generally for planning and development applications town planning drawings, ESD report and ESD tool assessment shall be submitted.

Town Planning Drawings

Must include all ESD features that form part of information included in ESD Report and ESD Tool Assessment.

ESD Report

Depending on the size of proposed development, either aSustainable Design Assessment (SDA)or aSustainability Management Plan (SMP)is required.

A Stormwater Management Assessment can be submitted in as part of a SDA.

ESD Tool Assessment

Depending on the size of proposed development, tools which can be used to support an SDA or SMP may include theBESS tool,Green Star tool,STORM tool,MUSIC tool. The assessment outcomes of these should be submitted alongside of SDA/SMP.

Which applications require ESD information?

For Residential planning and development applications, the following is required:

Development type	ESD Report	ESD Assessment Tool
2 to 9 dwellings A building used for accommodation other than dwellings with a gross floor area between 100 square metres and 1000 square metres.	Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA) including Stormwater Management Assessment	BESS or STORM
10+ dwellings A building used for accommodation other than dwellings with a gross floor area of more than 1000 square metres.	Sustainable Management Plan (SMP) including SMA and Green Travel Plan	BESS or Green star including STORM or MUSIC

For Non-Residential planning and development applications, the following is required:

Development Type	ESD Documentation	ESD Assessment Tool
A non-residential building with a gross floor area of 300 squaremetres to 1000 squaremetres. An extension to an existing non-residential building creating between 300 squaremetres to 1000 squaremetres of additional gross floor area (excluding outbuildings).	Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA) including Stormwater Management Assessment	BESS or STORM
A non-residential building with a gross floor area of more than 1000 squaremetres. An extension to an existing non-residential building creating more than 1000 squaremetres of additional gross floor area (excluding outbuildings).	Sustainable Management Plan (SMP) including SMA and Green Travel Plan	BESS or Green star Including STORM or MUSIC

How is ESD incorporated into new developments?

Development should incorporate ESD across the life cycle: design, construction and operation. Applicants will need to provide ESD information with planning & development permit application/s.

Applications must satisfy planning policy requirements of Clause 15.01-2L-03 Environmental sustainable design – Hume and the listed ESD categories: Energy Performance, Integrated Water Management, Indoor Environment Quality, Transport, Waste Management and Urban Ecology. 

Applicants are also encouraged to consider how innovation and reducing embodied carbon can improve ESD outcomes for the life cycle of the development.

Are ESD Fact Sheets available for ESD categories?

Fact Sheets have been developed by the Council Alliance for Sustainable Environment (CASBE) which detail mandatory requirements, Council’s Best Practice Standards and Council’s Design Advice for Clause 15.01-2L-03 Environmental sustainable design – Hume.  

• Energy Performance (Operational Energy)
• Integrated Water Management
• Indoor Environment Quality
• Transport
• Waste Management (Waste and Resource Recovery)
• Urban Ecology

CASBE has also developed Fact Sheets which provide information on embodied carbon and innovation.

• Embodied Carbon
• Innovation

For further information about why the ESD categories are important, refer to CASBE’s website.  

Preparing ESD Reports

Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA)

A Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA) is a document that sets out the sustainable design features of a proposed development and is required where Hume’s Planning Scheme Clause 15.01-2L-03 applies.

• To prepare an SDA, utilise the BESS tool or STORM tool.
• Submit as part of planning & development application;
  1. SDA Report including BESS tool or STORM tool assessment information
  2. Architectural Documentation with all ESD initiatives clearly noted

It's generally not necessary to engage a sustainability consultant to prepare an SDA.

Sustainability Management Plan (SMP)

A Sustainability Management Plan (SMP) is more detailed than an SDA. It sets out the sustainable design features of larger developments and provides more information about how the performance outcomes will be achieved. A BESS report alone will not satisfy the requirements under Hume’s Planning Scheme Clause 15.01-2L-03.

Preparation of an SMP will usually require the engagement of a sustainability consultant.

Example tools

• BESS is a free online sustainability assessment tool purpose-built for the planning application stage. It can assess single dwellings, multi-dwellings, non-residential and mixed use developments of any size.
• STORM is a free online calculator for testing whether a site achieves best practice water quality objectives. STORM is managed by Melbourne Water.
• MUSIC is detailed stormwater modelling software that is available for purchase from eWater.

Green Star is a green building certification system administered by the Green Building Council of Australia. The Green Star Buildings tool is suitable for use by large developments.