Sustainable design

Environmentally sustainable design and water sensitive urban design are essential for all types of development. We assess these as part of the planning process to ensure positive outcomes for all new developments in Port Phillip.

I want to

Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) overview

Every building provides an opportunity to improve and reduce impacts on the natural environment. Our Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) Strategy 2024 includes standards for both council-led development and private development.

The built environment contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions and consumption of resources. The Port Phillip Planning Scheme requires development to incorporate environmentally sustainable design (ESD) principles, which include incorporation of sustainable building practices and Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD), to reduce these environmental impacts.

Developments with good ESD credentials both improve occupant comfort and reduce building running costs.

Steps to follow

Integrate all relevant ESD features into the design
Request a pre-application meeting with a Planner and council’s ESD Advisor
Prepare supporting ESD reports
Demonstrate delivery features with an As-Built report when construction concludes

What to submit

To ensure your planning application demonstrates environmental best practice;

Ensure all ESD and WSUD features are clearly drawn and noted on the architectural plans
Submit a supporting ESD and WSUD report
Include a relevant tool assessment to quantify the development’s environmental credentials

Meaning of terms

Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) report – This contains details as to how the development addresses key ESD considerations. Usually called a Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA) or a Sustainability Management Plan (SMP).

Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) report – This contains details as to how the development addresses WSUD stormwater harvesting and re-use. The objective being to reduce stormwater volume entering the drainage system and ultimately Port Philip Bay.

BESS – Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard –The Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS) is an online ESD assessment tool purpose-built for the planning application stage. It is suitable for almost all development types including single dwellings, dwelling extensions, multi-dwellings, non-residential and mixed use. A BESS score of 50 per cent indicates a 'Pass', while a score of 70 per cent or greater indicates 'Excellence'.

Blue Factor (Previously STORM) – Blue Factor assesses stormwater quality outcomes for small to medium-scale developments, as part of a WSUD Response. It's available online for free.

As-Built Report – A report containing evidence that ESD and WSUD features have been correctly installed on-site during the build.

Water sensitive urban design

What to submit

Stormwater catchment plan
Blue Factor / MUSIC report
Maintenance manual for rainwater tank/ raingarden/ porous paving as applicable
Connection details of any rainwater tank for stormwater re-use
A stormwater site management plan – Refer to “Keeping our Stormwater Clean – A Builder’s Guide”

The development plans should also reflect the water sensitive urban design measures as per the stormwater catchment plan. For example, if a 2000L rainwater tank is to be connected to toilets for stormwater reuse, and located near the western boundary, this should be consistent on ground floor plan as well.

More detailed information about how to provide a good WSUD response can be found in this Compliance Guidelines for Stormwater Management document.

Key ESD considerations

Here is a summary of the current ESD Best Practice Standards.

The following links to online Sustainable Design Fact Sheets provide an overview of key ESD considerations:

Upcoming changes to ESD policy – Elevated ESD Targets Planning Scheme Amendment

The City of Port Phillip is seeking an elevation of ESD targets, whereby the proposed ESD policy elevates ESD outcomes by introducing additional design standards, which include, but not limited to:

Achieving net zero emissions development
Reducing embodied emissions of materials
Increasing the importance of vegetation

The proposed standards can be viewed online.

Case studies

Port Phillip’s neighbourhoods are home to many excellent best-practice examples of developments that successfully integrate ESD features to enhance their liveability, reduce running costs and lessen their environmental impacts.

Whether you live in an apartment or a house, are renting or own the property, there are changes you can make to ensure that your home is more resilient to climate change impacts, such as flood and heatwaves.

Port Phillip is a member of the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE). CASBE member councils collectively work towards improving the sustainability of the built environment through the planning process. Here are some examples of how this translates to exemplary built form outcomes – industry case studies (CASBE).