ESD Consulting
Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) Reports
Property developers preparing planning proposals for new precincts and large-scale multi-residential developments are required to prepare an Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) Report. This document explores aspirational sustainability goals that may be implemented into the design. The report explores:
- Community engagement
- Indoor air quality
- Energy and water efficiency
- Stormwater management
- Building materials
- Transport
- Waste management
- Urban ecology
- Construction and building management
We have extensive experience with ESD Consulting and can prepare these reports on your behalf and lead your design team through the possible opportunities that exist in the early planning stages.
Statement of Environmental Effects (SOEE)
Efficient Living has a cost-effective, refined and systemised Statement of Environmental Effects (SOEE) service for new single residential development applications.
An SOEE sets out the planning regulation that is appropriate to a site and assesses the likely impact of a proposal. The assessment includes:
- Community engagement
- Suitability of the site
- Character and amenity of the area
- Compliance with development standards
- Parking and accessibility
- Privacy, views and overshadowing
- Drainage, erosion and sediment control
- Heritage or bushfire or flood implications
- Energy efficiency and waste
- Landscaping
Efficient Living conduct an initial review of your proposal, highlighting any non-compliant areas and advise if additional reports are required. The final document issued may include revised and complying plans or presenting reasonable arguments to justify a concession for non-compliant areas.
Green Marketing
New apartment buildings use considerably less energy than building stock designed and constructed before water and energy savings policy became regulated. Efficient Living can calculate the predicted energy and water savings that could be achieved so that this can be communicated to potential purchasers.
Energy Assessment Service
Modern homes consume energy and water across a range of systems including lighting, appliances, water heating, heating, cooling, pool heating and cleaning. Efficient Living can demonstrate how, with the right specifications, designers, builders and homeowners can significantly improve the performance and comfort of their home, saving money on energy bills and reducing the impact on the environment without compromising lifestyle.
Our service includes:
- Advice on technologies we believe offer very good investments
- Typical price ranges you would expect to pay for energy consuming products
- Calculations on expected running cost for your family
- Calculations on expected payback periods
- A list of questions you should be asking your suppliers to ensure you get a reliable product that does as it advertises
- Guidance on which systems/technologies should be avoided
- Information on available rebates and how to claim them
- If we completed the thermal simulation for your development application, we can use this model to help you select and size the right heating and cooling systems for your home
- Advice on ways to improve the thermal comfort of your home
- Guidance on how you should operate your home once you move in
Research & Policy Guidance
Efficient Living has specialised in building thermal performance since 2000. We invest heavily to ensure we maintain an expert understanding of assessment tools and protocols. Coupled with the fact that we are well known and highly regarded throughout the industry make us the perfect research partner.
Read more about our research and policy projects below.
Sustainable cities of the future require efficiency on many levels. Efficient Living can work with councils and developers at master planning stages to help set Sustainability and Livability Guidelines that ensure thriving communities are created with a balance of built and natural environments.
Research & Policy Projects
Local Sustainable Housing Study
Efficient Living were engaged by Ramboll Environ Australia as industry experts to investigate the role of NSW local councils and developers in driving the adoption of ecologically sustainable practices in the residential sector.
Solamate Study
Tracey Cools, Managing Director of Efficient Living, was selected to work with Ventis and the CSIRO in the delivery of the Solamate Study looking into the effectiveness of solar heating and cooling technologies.
Archistar Performance Tool
Efficient Living is currently providing high-level guidance to the Institute of Digital Design Australia on the challenges and opportunities in launching their Archistarr tool into the thermal performance space.
NatHERS Annual Workshop
Tracey Cools, Efficient Living’s Managing Director, was one of a select few Assessors invited to attend the NatHERS Annual Workshop to provide input and feedback to help shape future House Energy Rating Policy.
Carbon Emissions Measurement
Efficient Living has provided guidance to Energy Inspection as they work on development of the 3rd generation thermal performance assessment tools which will include energy and carbon emission measurements.
Ventis Study
Ventis, a home ventilation system supplier, engaged Efficient Living to assist in a study to calculate the energy savings of their ventilation systems in reducing the need for mechanical heating and cooling.
Sydney City Sustainability Policy
Efficient Living worked closely with Mirvac to conduct a peer review of a study commissioned by Sydney City Council to implement policy beyond the minimum compliance so as to reduce energy demands.
BASIX Target Increase
Efficient Living conducted extensive research into the likely built outcomes and cost implications in response to the NSW BASIX team’s proposed target increases that were eventually implemented July 2017.
