Environmentally Sustainable Design
| Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process | Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process |
| Sustainable Design Assessment | Sustainable Design Assessment |
| Environmentally Sustainable Design Management Plan | Environmentally Sustainable Design Management Plan |
| Environmentally Sustainable Design Assessment Tools | Environmentally Sustainable Design Tools and Steps to help you. |
Environmentally Sustainable Design
Moreland is committed to creating an environmentally sustainable and liveable city, and a key part of this is creating a sustainable built environment.
We spend most of our lives inside buildings, and they currently make up approximately 20 per cent of Australia’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. Buildings typically have a long life, 50 to 100 years or more, which means that decisions made when a building is first designed, have far-reaching consequences.
Australia’s building regulations currently include some energy efficiency provisions, but there are many opportunities to improve new buildings by considering integrating sustainability into the decision-making as early as possible in the design process.
For New Buildings Requiring a Planning Permit
Moreland, along with other local governments in Victoria, have implemented a program called ‘Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP)’.
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.
Under SDAPP, where your development meets certain triggers, you will need to submit ESD information with your planning permit application. For more information on how SDAPP is relevant for your planning application, see ‘Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process’
Sustainability in the National Construction Code (formerly the Building Code of Australia)
From May 1, 2011, all new homes, home renovations, additions, alterations and relocations in Australia will need to comply with the 6 Star Standard. For more information click here.
Useful resources to help make your home more sustainable
Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd
Based in Brunswick, MEFL is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to sustainable energy. MEFL provide information and advice for households and businesses, including the Home Renovator's Service (free for Moreland residents) - a one hour consultation to help you make sustainable design, material and product choices when renovating.
Quick guide to Sustainable Design (PDF 2Mb)
A one page 'cheat sheet' of passive design principles.
A website providing a wide range of advice and design guides for passive design and sustainable building, including good rules of thumb. An excellent resource for individuals seeking to improve their understanding of ESD concepts and practice.
Includes the Your Home Renovator's Guide, Your Home Buyer's Guide and Your Home Technical Manual.
A free online tool that helps you calculate what size rainwater tank best suits your need.
A Victorian Government website containing information and fact sheets to assist households become more sustainable.
Includes specific information about topics such as heating, cooling and appliances.
A Victorian Government website with information about current rebates, information about saving water and energy and reducing waste.
Australian Greenhouse Calculator
An online software tool that helps you understand how your lifestyle choices contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by calculating your annual GHG footprint from the information you provide.
Alternative Technology Association
An independent organisation providing practical sustainability advice for households and communities. Discuss you project and get technical advice from other ATA members on the online forums.
