Overview
The City of Port Phillip is taking a leading role towards achieving a sustainable built environment through the planning process. Guided by our Sustainable Design Policy and Strategy the City of Port Phillip aspires to achieve outcomes that are environmentally responsible, financially viable, socially cohesive and culturally relevant.
The City of Port Phillip aims to present a consistent approach to the sustainability assessment of planning applications by providing the development industry and residents with certainty about the environmental objectives of the council and the standards required.
To facilitate this all developments are encouraged to submit a Sustainable Design Statement as part of their planning application. Such statements are used to outline proposed sustainable design initiatives and upon endorsement will form part of the permit.
 Sustainable Design Statement - Residential
Sustainable Design Statement - Non-residential
Important Note
The Trade Practices Act 1974 contains provisions relating to misleading or deceptive conduct and false or misleading representations. The Act ensures that the public, and in that the Council, are provided with accurate information in order to make informed decisions. Organisations which make environmental or 'green' claims should ensure that their claims are scientifically sound and appropriately substantiated as serious penalties can apply for activities that are in breach of the Act.
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Residential Development
For residential developments and to facilitate the completion of your Sustainable Design Statement the City of Port Phillip encourages the use of the STEPS assessment tool. The STEPS tool has been developed in collaboration with Moreland City Council and is now used by a number of other municipalities throughout Victoria.
The targets listed in STEPS represent the City of Port Phillip's minimum expectations for sustainable design performance of residential developments.
The STEPS tool awards scores for the five most critical elements in constructing environmentally sustainable dwellings. These include greenhouse emissions from operating energy, peak energy use, mains (drinking) water use, stormwater quality impacts and building material impacts. The program also calculates the number of bicycle places required and the area needed to provide for waste recycling services.
If you chose to undertake a STEPS assessment simply print out the final report and submit it in conjunction with your Sustainable Design Statement. There is no need to print each page of your assessment as Council can access this information independently..
It is recommended that if you are using STEPS for the first time to read the user guide to ensure its correct use and an accurate assessment of your project.
For assistance in completing STEPS please contact the Sustainable Design Officer on (03) 9209 6777 or email sustainabledesign@portphillip.vic.gov.au.
For further information on sustainable design refer to our Advice and Resources page.
How does STEPS relate to the 5 Star (FirstRate) Standard?
The Building Code of Australia (Victoria) requires all new residential buildings to obtain a minimum 5 Star rating under the FirstRate home energy rating system (or equivalent) and include either a rainwater tank for toilet flushing or a solar hot water system.
From May 2008 renovations and extensions will be required to obtain a minimum 5 star rating under FirstRate (or equivalent).
In general the 5 Star standard relates to the energy efficiency of the structure in terms of the amount of heat or cooling required to reach a predetermined temperature per square metre of floor. FirstRate does not assess the actual efficiency of the appliances used to heat or cool a dwelling, nor does it cover issues such as water efficiency and stormwater quality.
STEPS deals with a much broader range of issues relating to the environmental performance that are in excess of those covered by the 5 Star standard. It is important to note that in order to correctly complete a STEPS assessment a FirstRate assessment is required.
With up to 10 Stars now possible the City of Port Phillip strongly encourages developments to exceed this minimum requirement as every additional star further improves the comfort and efficiency of the dwelling by reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling. For instance, a score of 6 Stars will result in up to 23.5% less energy consumption that the minimum 5 Star standard for the same dwelling.
More information on the 5 Star standard can be obtained at: 5starhouse.vic.gov.au
The City of Port Phillip does not consider meeting the 5 Star standard to be a sustainable design feature as it is a minimum legal requirement. Applicants who include such information in their Sustainable Design Statement will be asked to remove it.
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Non-residential development
For non-residential developments and to facilitate the completion of your Sustainable Design Statement the City of Port Phillip encourages the use of the Sustainable Design Scorecard (SDS). The Scorecard was developed by the City of Port Phillip and is now used by a number of other municipalities throughout Victoria, with the targets listed representing the City of Port Phillip's minimum expectations for the sustainable design performance of non-residential developments.
Click here to access the Sustainable Design Scorecard and associated documents.
For assistance in the use of this tool please contact the Sustainable Design Officer on (03) 9209 6777 or email sustainabledesign@portphillip.vic.gov.au.
For further information on sustainable design refer to our Advice and Resources page.
Waste Minimisation Plan
In order to complete the Sustainable Design Scorecard Non-Residential all applications must prepare a Waste Minimisation Plan. This will help you identify practices that to improve the environmental performance of your development during construction.
 Waste Minimisation Plan from EcoRecycle
For further information on sustainable design refer to our Advice and Resources page.
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Feedback and Training
The council welcomes any feedback you might have regarding either our sustainability assessment approach or the tools themselves.
Feedback on STEPS
Feedback on the STEPS tool can be provided by completing the online form located at: www.morelandsteps.com.au/contact.php or by contacting the Sustainable Design Officer (details below).
Feedback on the Sustainable Design Scorecard Non-residential
Feedback on the Sustainable Design Scorecard Non-residential can be provided by downloading and completing the Sustainable Design Scorecard Non-residential Feedback form or by contacting the Sustainable Design Officer:
By fax: (03) 9536 2725
In person: St Kilda Town Hall, 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda
By mail: Private Bag No. 3, PO St Kilda, VIC 3182
DX 35706 Balaclava
By email: eServices
Training
The City of Port Phillip and Moreland City Council periodically offer training in the use of both tools. Please view the following web page for updates about training times and venues: www.morelandsteps.com.au/briefing
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More Information
For more information please contact the Sustainable Design Officer via eServices, through ASSIST on (03) 9209 6777 or TTy (03) 9209 6713, or via email at sustainabledesign@portphillip.vic.gov.au.
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