Sustainable Living
Sustainable Living Resources
Urban and sustainable design advisory service
As part of building and planning permit process, council offers expert one-on-one advice from our urban design and sustainable design professionals to permit applicants. The availability of this service is assessed on a case-by-case basis. While urban design advice is typically reserved for major building projects, sustainable design advice can be obtained for a range of private developments.
Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer call ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for Urban & Sustainable Design.
Goods and services
The City of Port Phillip has compiled a list of sustainable design products and services accompanied by relevant contact details. While many products listed in the list are not themselves low impact materials, when used appropriately they can help reduce the overall environmental impact of a building.
The list includes:
- Specialist sustainable design products
- Experts and practitioners in the field of sustainable design
- Case study information with an emphasis on building projects in the City of Port Phillip and inner metropolitan Melbourne
Note: These attachments are zoomed for good on-screen viewing and will print on A4 paper.
Online resources
Government Departments and Authorities
Sustainability Victoria (SV) formerly Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria (SEAV)
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
SV is responsible for the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy, providing advice and information to consumers, business and government on practical energy efficient and renewable energy applications, including information about 5 star energy rating, rebates for solar energy and energy smart design.
Yarra Valley Water
www.yvw.com.au
Local water authority web site with water conservation ideas and products.
Victorian Environment Protection Authority
www.epa.vic.gov.au
The EPA is the Victorian Government Authority responsible for regulating and promoting environmental management, the control of pollution on land, in water and air, industrial noise and waste minimisation.
Department of the Environment and Heritage
www.deh.gov.au
The Commonwealth website provides information on the programs, services and policies for sustainable development in Australia and to provide links to useful sustainability information.
Australian Greenhouse Office
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au
The AGO is a government agency dedicated to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Your Home
www.yourhome.gov.au
Consumer and technical guide developed by the Australian Greenhouse Office to encourage the design, construction or renovation of homes to be comfortable, healthy and more environmentally sustainable. The Design for Lifestyle and the Future, Technical Manual, Institute of Sustainable Futures, Commonwealth of Australia, 2001, is available free online.
Your Building
www.yourbuilding.org
Your Building is a web portal with a range of Australian resources about sustainable commercial buildings. It provides information for all those involved across the building life cycle - from investors, owners, and occupiers to developers, builders, designers, and facility managers.
The Victorian Government's Environment Gateway
www.environment.vic.gov.au
The Victorian Government Environment Gateway aims to be a one-stop-shop for online information relating to environmental issues and information in Victoria.
Bureau of Meteorology
http://www.bom.gov.au
Provides information on climate zones, averages and maps
City of Yarra Sustainable Design Guidelines
http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Planning/Strategic%20Planning/Sustainable%20Design%20Guidelines.asp
The guidelines are a series of notes for single dwellings, apartments, townhouses, commercial buildings and warehouse conversions to assist in designing buildings more sustainably.
Manningham City Council
Doncaster Hill Sustainability Guidelines
Manningham City Council, together with DesignInc, have prepared the Doncaster Hill Sustainability Guidelines, June 2004 that aim to assist development applicants prepare Sustainability Management Plans.
Energy
Green Electricity Watch
http://www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au
An independent group established in 2002 by Australian environmental organisations aimed at helping consumers choose products that will effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Provides a ranking of green power products.
Moreland Energy Foundation
www.mefl.com.au
Locally based, community oriented organisation devoted to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Appliance Energy Rating Label
www.energyrating.com.au
Includes lists of appliances, their star ratings and energy consumption data.
Greenhouse Gaseshttp://www.greenhousegases.gov.au
Website developed by SEDA and SEAV to provide free tips, tools and resources to help you use less energy, save money and reduce greenhouse gases in the environment.
Going Solar - http://www.goingsolar.com.au
Renewable energy and sustainable living specialists with retail and consulting services
Water
Water rebates
http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au
Provides information on current water rebates available for households.
Save Water
http://www.savewater.com.au
Features information on indoor and outdoor products that save mains/potable water use.
Green Plumbers
http://www.greenplumbers.com.au
This site assists in finding an environmentally aware plumber and also provides information on environmentally friendly products, water management and solar hot water.
Water Efficiency Ratings
http://www.wsaa.asn.au
Provides information regarding national water conservation rating and labelling scheme and provides lists of appliances and their water ratings.
Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme
http://www.waterrating.gov.au/about/index.html
provides information about the national mandatory water efficiency labelling and minimum performance standards that apply to household water-using products.
Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD)
http://www.wsud.melbournewater.com.au/
Provides information on Water Sensitive Urban Design, including stormwater treatment strategies.
Melbourne City Council Water Sensitive Urban Design Guidelines
http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=120&pg=2652
Details how residents, businesses and council can use the principles of water sensitive urban design to achieve water saving and improve stormwater quality.
Materials
EcoSpecifier
http://www.ecospecifier.org
Online sustainable materials database managed by the Griffith University EcoCentre.
Sustainable Materials Program
http://www.cfd.rmit.edu.au
A research body providing information on material assessment for sustainability, focusing on construction materials.
Building Green
http://www.buildinggreen.com
Online green building information, articles, case studies and sustainable materials resource.
Waste/Construction & Demolition Management
Sustainability Victoria formerly EcoRecycle Victoria
http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
Sustainability Victoria address resource recovery, recycling and waste management. Services include information sheets, directories of waste recyclers and other resources, funding support for waste management.
On-site - Minimising Construction Waste
www.cfd.rmit.edu.au/content/view/full/123
This is a website totally dedicated to construction and demolition (C&D) waste minimisation, containing case studies, information and resources on waste avoidance and resource recovery in the construction/demolition sector.
Transport
Travel Smart
http://www.travelsmart.gov.au
A government organisation aiming at reducing reliance on cars and making smart choices about other forms of transport.
Bicycle Victoria
http://www.bv.com.au
Self-funded community organisation that promotes 'more people cycling more often'.
Education and Case Studies
Port Phillip EcoCentre
http://www.ecocentre.com/ecohouse.html
The EcoCentre is a not-for-profit community-managed environment group supported by the City of Port Phillip. The EcoCentre is located in the EcoHouse - a model sustainable building. Tours of the EcoHouse are available by contacting the EcoCentre on (03) 9534 0670.
Association of Building Sustainability Assessors - Building Sustainability Seminars.
http://www.absa.net.au
Supported by the Australian Greenhouse Office and produced by the Institute of Sustainable Futures at UTS and RMIT, these eight hour training modules look at the key sustainability decisions construction and design professionals make in areas of water, energy services, material & waste and thermal performance.
Alternative Technology Association
http://www.ata.org.au
Environmental organisation promoting sustainable technologies and practical projects.
Green Building Council of Australia
http://www.gbcaus.org
The GBCA promotes the development of a sustainable property industry in Australia.
Centre for Design RMIT
http://www.cfd.rmit.edu.au
Educational organisation, which promotes the development of ESD and management systems.
BDP Environment Design Guide
http://www.architecture.com.au
Sustainable Design Guide aimed at design professionals. Available from the RAIA.
Westwyck
http://www.westwyck.com
A very different type of inner urban housing development.
More information
Use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online. If you prefer phone ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713 and ask for the council's sustainable design architect.
