What is Environmentally Sustainable Development (or ESD)?
While there is no universally accepted definition of ESD, the Commonwealth Government in 1990 suggested this definition for ESD in Australia:
“Using, conserving and enhancing the community's resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained, and the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be increased.”
ESD aims to improve the total quality of life for now and in the future while maintaining ecological processes.
Today, ESD is included in over 60 legislations in Australia.
The principles of Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD)
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) defines the principles of ESD as:
- Decision‑making processes should effectively integrate both long‑term and short‑term economic, environmental, social and equitable considerations
- If there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation
- The principle of intergenerational equity—that the present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment are maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations
- The conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration in decision‑making
- Improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms should be promoted.
Ultimately, ESD requires the effective integration of social, economic and environmental considerations in decision-making processes.
What is an ESD report?
Your ESD report demonstrates that your building design complies with the Environmentally Sustainable Development principles stipulated by the council’s ESD policy. An ESD report is crucial when you are applying for a planning permit that has an ESD policy.
The ESD report looks into the following areas:
How your building design preserves energy, water, groundwater, site ecology, etc
How your building design maintains the comfort and well-being of occupants
How your building design can potentially innovate and improve building performance.
An ESD consultant can advise you on fulfilling the requirements for your report to ensure your compliance with local council legislation. It includes BESS and STORM scorecards, as well as preliminary building energy modelling.
When is an ESD consultant needed?
Council with ESD policy triggers with 1+ dwellings
Hepburn
Council with ESD policy triggers with 2+ dwellings
Banyule, Brimbank, Bayside, Frankston, Hobsons Bay, Knox, Morelan, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Whittlesea, Wyndham, Yarra
Council with ESD policy triggers with 3+ dwellings
Darebin, Greater Bendigo, Greater Dandenong, Greater Geelong, Kingston, Manningham, Monash, Moonee Valley, Whitehorse
Once ESD has been triggered, a Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA) will be required for up to 9 dwellings.
Development of 10+ dwellings will require a more comprehensive Sustainable Management Plan (SMP) and can often be accompanied by a Green Travel Plan.
Commercial developments may also require a comprehensive SMP and Green Travel Plan, based on the gross floor area of the building.
What is an ESD consultant?
ESD consultants guide their clients in creating sustainable buildings, developments and communities. They ensure that clients are compliant with the local council’s ESD legislation.
ESD consultants advise on matters relating to the following:
Energy efficiency
ESD consultants prepare preliminary energy ratings and commercial energy assessments to ensure the building meets minimum thermal comfort levels
Waste management
ESD consultants determine the amount of waste generated in a building and how to remove it offsite effectively.
Water-sensitive urban design
ESD consultants calculate the most appropriate stormwater treatment types depending on the size of the development and council-preferred requirements.
Daylight assessment
ESD consultants assess whether a residential or commercial space can achieve the minimum daylight levels and how to rectify design issues of non-complying daylight areas
Our framework for providing ESD consultancy services
Once you have one of our ESD consultants on board, we will navigate through the ESD policies that your local council prefers.
We review each client’s project on a case-by-case basis and make recommendations based on the council's preference. This allows us to provide a cost-effective package for our clients while ensuring that they remain compliant with ESD legislation without going overboard and adding unnecessary costs.
How we helped Durable Design with our ESD consultancy services
The team at Durable Design, design and construct many developments in the Bayside, Kingston and Frankston Council areas. As all three councils have varying ESD preferences, we provide advice and recommendations to them to ensure compliance is met and the designs reflect these requirements.
Our fast & efficient process
Getting a 6 Star Energy Rating does not need to be timely, confusing or expensive.
See our work
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