There is a new approach to ESD policy and plan documentation, effective the 1st of April 2021 for new Sydney development applications.
A design for environmental performance report is required for most larger developments, including apartments, group housing, offices, hotels, childcare, retail and industrial areas. The template is to be used to show how the application addresses environmental sustainability and efficiency through design, technology and performance rating solutions.
People with experience in design, environmental sustainability or urban planning can complete the template.
Sydney development application changes
This new policy affects a wide range of building types –
- Residential Apartment Building(s) (with or without commercial/retail lower levels) Group Homes (4 story or greater)
- Multi Dwelling Homes (5 or more dwellings)
- Hotel – +1,000sqm – New building or extension of existing (increase in GFA 30% or greater)
- Motel – +1,000sqm – New building or extension of existing (increase in GFA 30% or greater)
- Boarding House/Student Accommodation (4 story or greater)
- Centre-based Childcare – +1000sqm New building or extension of existing (increase in GFA 30% or greater)
- Commercial Premises (office, business and/or retail) – +1000sqm – New building or extension of existing (increase in GFA 30% or greater)
- Education Facility (school, college, university) – New building or extension of existing (increase in GFA 30% or greater)
- Entertainment Facility – +1000sqm New building or extension of existing (increase in GFA 30% or greater)
- Health Services Facility – +1000sqm – New building or extension of existing (increase in GFA 30% or greater)
- Industrial – +1000sqm – New building or extension of existing (increase in GFA 30% or greater)
The new design for environmental performance template replaces traditional DA stage environmental sustainability reports and the new process requires much earlier consultation between the Design team and Sustainability Consultants. There are now many more building specification decisions that need to be made prior to your Development Application and the level of plan documentation is increasing significantly.
Design for environmental performance (DEP) template
The new policy affects larger building types across the residential and commercial sectors. The Sydney development application and the new design for the environmental performance template replaces traditional DA stage environmental sustainability reports and the new process requires earlier consultation between the Design team and Sustainability Consultants. There are also more building specification decisions that need to be made prior to your Development Application and the level of DA plan documentation is increasing.
Before you start –
Key takeaway – Sydney City Council is committed to sustainable development and ambitious reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and waste, improving air and water quality and greening our city. Our targets are outlined in our Sustainable Sydney 2030 plan, which informs our policies and planning controls.
A precondition to receiving development consent is demonstrating design excellence which includes ecologically sustainable development. The development must also meet the requirements under section J of the National Construction Code and State Environmental Planning Policy (Building Sustainability Index: BASIX), where relevant.
The design for environmental performance template sets out how you can demonstrate compliance with relevant planning controls.
It replaces the need for ecologically sustainable development, generic energy efficiency or consultant’s BASIX reports. The information you provide here will form part of any development consent granted.
You’ll still need to lodge any other supporting material required under SDCP 2012 and associated codes and policies, such as stormwater or hydraulic plans, landscape plans, National Construction Code section J reports, BASIX certificates and NatHERS documentation.
Efficient Living was part of the early stage of the Sydney development application and we are happy to help you through this transition.
An example of the report can be downloaded here – https://lnkd.in/grbWNkP
Efficient Living Commercial Services
Efficient Living has one of the largest teams of Sustainability Consultants and provide a range of commercial consulting services including Section J, JV3, NABERS, DA Reports & Onsite Compliance.
With over 20 years experience and leading industry expertise, we deliver better outcomes for our clients with more efficient and cost effective solutions.
