Environmentally Sustainable Design

Amendment C147 Amendment, is a general tidy up amendment the includes several changes across the planning scheme, including the introduction of Clause 15.01-2L in the Surf Coast Planning Scheme to provide guidance for achieving Environmentally Sustainable Design in Surf Coast. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that new development that requires a planning permit achieves the best practice in environmentally sustainable design, from the design stage through to construction and operation.

The details of this amendment can be found below:

C147 Amendment

Why is the Surf Coast Shire proposing this amendment?

Surf Coast Shire Council declared a climate emergency in 2019, following two community petitions. In alignment with our Community Vision, and outlining our declaration response, the Surf Coast Climate Emergency Response Plan commits us to taking the required action to make our contribution to sustain a safe climate, where existing and future communities and ecosystems will thrive. A key action of this plan is Action 21: Strengthen Council's planning controls to better address climate change.

Surf Coast's membership with Casbe (the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment) equips us with support and tools to assess sustainable design, and Surf Coast joins other Victorian Councils who have a local Environmentally Sustainable Design policy in their planning schemes.

What will this policy apply to:

This policy will apply to all land in the Surf Coast, however the new clause will only affect certain types of new development that need a planning permit, including:

  • Residential development for two or more houses on a lot (excluding subdivision),
  • Buildings used for accommodation of a certain size; and
  • Commercial and industrial developments that are 500 square metres or more in floor area.

We are preparing a comprehensive Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) page which will be available on approval of the Planning Scheme Amendment. Meanwhile, you may wish to consider these key aspects of Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD):

  • Energy Efficiency, such as site orientation and energy efficient lighting.
  • Water Efficiency, such as rainwater capture and water efficient fixtures/fittings.
  • Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), such as adequate daylight and ventilation.
  • Landscaping, such as permeable surfaces and vegetation.
  • Active transport provision, such as bicycle storage.
  • Waste avoidance strategies, such as convenient recycling and organic waste facilities.
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