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.

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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.

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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.

TESTIMONIALS

We’ve had very thorough and efficient service from Efficient Living with each commission. In particular, we appreciate their willingness to test different options and problem solve for complex and unusual design situations.

Alexandra Matyear, Whitcher Matyear Architects
Efficient Living have for the past few years provided excellent service at a reasonable cost and always on time. They make helpful suggestions to resolve any problems. I would recommend them to anyone needing advise in building thermal efficiency.

John Smit, Mirvac Group
Our design had large amounts of glass to maximise the available view and included appropriate shading devices and thermal mass internally. Using the standard BASIX DIY program we were unable to comply even using high performance windows. Using thermal modelling provided by Efficient Living the building easily passed the BASIX requirement and the information enabled us create a building that performed even better thermally using simple design solutions.

Peter James, Watershed Design
Efficient Living make us look good and help us deliver better outcomes. They make our buildings more efficient and our clients enjoy the benefits, then we take the credit. Thanks, Efficient Living

Adam Pressley, All Australian Architecture
Efficient Living has provided me with energy assessments and advice, Section J and BASIX certification and advices for the last 8-10 years. On every occasion, it has exceeded my expectations in regards to timeliness and efficiency and all at a reasonable cost. On the occasions where adjustments have been required, they went out of their way to accommodate the project design intent with highly gratifying results. I recommend them very highly.

Emile Jansen, Jansen Architecture
We have worked with Efficient Living for over ten years and have always found Tracey and her team to be responsive and professional. Our projects are far from standard and we have always been able to arrive at a workable solution in terms of BASIX compliance, that keeps everyone happy - including the environment.

Kristin Utz, Utz Sanby Architects
We count on Efficient Living for all our BASIX needs, including reviewing and improving BASIX reports when we purchase sites with approved DA’s. Efficient Living has been able to standardise requirements across our developments, saving on compliance costs and making implementation easier. We would highly recommend Efficient Living’s professional services to provide solutions for saving water, reducing energy and improving thermal comfort.

Mona Chao, Meriton Group