Introduction

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to maximise the long-term environmental, economic and social benefits achieved through the construction and operation of financially sustainable, resource efficient and climate resilient buildings.

The policy outlines how we will apply best practice Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) principles in the planning, design, construction, upgrade, refurbishment and operation of our buildings.

Scope

This policy applies to all building planning, design, construction, upgrade, refurbishment and management activities undertaken by, or on behalf of, the City.

This policy applies to all buildings owned, leased or managed by the City including:

• Administrative offices
• Leisure centres
• Libraries
• Community halls and sporting pavilions
• Childcare, Kindergarten and health centres
• Works depots
• Community Hubs

The standards established in this policy must be applied throughout the full lifecycle of City buildings, from project conception to building decommissioning, and ensure that project scopes and budgets address the policy principles and objectives.

Definitions

The following definitions apply to this Policy:

Policy

1. Leadership

   1. The City will demonstrate leadership in the sustainable management of our building portfolio by:
      1. Incorporating best practice ESD standards in our building development and management practices.
      2. Building the capacity of our employees to implement ESD principles during the development and operation of our buildings.
      3. Eliminating greenhouse gas emissions associated with the development and operation of our buildings.
      4. Ensuring our built assets are resource efficient, resilient and comfortable.

2. Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD)

   1. An environmentally sustainable building combines design, construction and operational practices to significantly reduce negative impacts on both people, and the environment, by achieving the following outcomes:
      1. Using water efficiently
      2. Using energy efficiently
      3. Responsible stormwater management
      4. Creating healthy indoor environments
      5. Minimising environmental impacts of building materials
      6. Prioritising sustainable transport
      7. Supporting circular economy waste management
      8. Supporting urban ecological gains
      9. Technology, design and processes innovation
      10. Achieving best practice sustainable construction and building management
   2. The City’s ESD Fact Sheets provide further detail on how these desired outcomes can be applied to building projects.

3. Building Design

   1. All City building construction, upgrade and refurbishment projects will be designed and built to meet the following minimum standards:
      1. Large Building projects must achieve a minimum 4 Star Green Star Buildings rating, or equivalent, but will aspire to achieve a 5 Star Green Star Buildings rating whenever possible
      2. Small Building projects and Major Building Upgrade projects will achieve a minimum “Excellent” rating on the Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard, or equivalent
      3. All new buildings will meet the applicable minimum environmental sustainability standards of the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme

4. Building Performance

   1. All City owned buildings will be designed, constructed, refurbished and operated to ensure the efficient management of energy, water, indoor environments and waste.
   2. The City will monitor the sustainability performance of City owned and operated buildings and implement identified facility upgrades, and building management improvements, to achieve building performance efficiencies.
   3. All office buildings leased by the City will meet and maintain a minimum 4.5 Star NABERS rating, or equivalent, where required.

5. Appliances

   1. All small appliances and whitegoods (e.g. stovetops, ovens, heaters, air conditioners, fridges, dishwashers etc.) replaced during building maintenance, or installed in new buildings, must comply with the following requirements:
      1. Electrical appliances will meet a minimum 4 Star Energy Rating Labelling Scheme or equivalent
      2. Water appliances will meet a minimum 4 Star Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (WELS) rating or equivalent
      3. No new or replacement natural gas fuelled appliances will be installed where a viable electric alternative is available
      4. No new natural gas appliance connections will be established

6. Financial Responsibility

   1. Sustainable buildings combine design, construction and operational practices to achieve reduced operating costs and lower total cost of ownership. “Analysis of Green Star certified projects has shown average electricity savings of 66%, a 55% reduction in GHG emissions, and a 51% saving in potable water use. Specific analysis of Green Star community centres, libraries and civic buildings undertaken for this report shows average savings of $100,000 per year in energy bills” (Green Building Council of Australia, NZGBC, May 2021).
   2. To ensure financially responsible decision-making the planning of Large Building, Small Building and Building Upgrade projects should consider the financial benefits of ESD design features on a whole-of-lifecycle basis.
   3. Ongoing ownership costs will be considered in the design and delivery of new buildings to ensure:
      1. Buildings have lower on-going operating costs as a result of energy and water use efficiency gains
      2. Financial risks associated with rising utility prices are minimised
      3. Improved financial performance is achieved throughout the whole lifecycle of our buildings
   4. The ESD design features of a project should consider ongoing maintenance and performance cost savings and aim to meet a 7-year simple payback period.

7. Working Collaboratively

   1. The City of Greater Geelong is a large organisation with complex, and often shared responsibility for the planning, delivery and management of our buildings. We will work with an ethic of consultation and collaboration to ensure the delivery of buildings that are fit for purpose and environmentally sustainable.

8. Special considerations

   1. There are some cases where these sustainability standards, or certain ESD items, may not be achievable or practical to deliver. In the following cases the City will aim to reach the standards while recognising that the standards remain as aspiration targets.
      1. Heritage Buildings – Due to building construction techniques and heritage protection guidelines it may not be possible, or practical, to reach the standards.
      2. Buildings leased by the City (Council as tenant) – The City may not be able to meet building performance standards due to market forces or other factors. In such cases the City will try to reach the standards and advocate for property owners to meet the standards.
      3. Where compliance with sustainability standards, or components of them, have been assessed to provide inadequate environmental, social or economic benefit to warrant the investment required.
   2. Any request to apply a variation to the sustainability standards will be sent to Manager Planning & Growth (accompanied with supporting advice from a person with suitable qualifications in sustainable building design) for consideration. If the request to apply special considerations is supported by the Manager Planning & Growth, endorsement of the decision to apply a variation of the standard will be required from the relevant Director.

Implementation of this Policy

Monitoring and reporting

The success of this policy will be measured against its contribution to the following organisational priorities:

• Achieving net zero operational emissions for all City managed operations by 2025
• Increasing built asset resilience to climate risks
• Reducing waste generation and supporting the recovery of more resources
• Protecting and enhancing our natural environment
• Supporting community wellbeing and social equity
• Demonstrating responsible and transparent business practices
• Aligning our actions with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The City will complete periodic audits to monitor our performance in implementing this policy.

Advice and assistance

The Responsible Officer for this policy manages the provision of advice to the organisation regarding this policy.

A person who is uncertain how to comply with this policy should seek advice from the Responsible Officer.

Records

The City must retain records associated with this Policy and its implementation in accordance with its Records Information Management Policy

Review

The City should review and, if necessary, amend this Policy within four years of the Approval Date.

References

Legislation

• Local Government Act 2020

Other Documents

• Records Information Management Policy
• Our Community Plan 2021-25
• Sustainability Framework (approved 2020)
• Sustainability Framework Action Plan 2020-2022
• Environment Strategy 2020-2030
• Greater Geelong Planning Scheme
• Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2020-2030
• Waste Wise Policy (approved 2020)
• Procurement Policy (approved 2019)
• Climate Change Response Plan 2021-2030
• Sustainable Management Plan (approved 2019)
• Environmentally Sustainable Design Fact Sheets (approved 2015)
• Green Building Council of Australia Green Star Sustainability Rating System
• Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard
• Victorian Government Climate Change Strategy