Greater Geelong Planning Scheme 15.01 - 2L:
Under clause 15.01 - 2L (ESD) of the Greater Geelong Planning Scheme, residential and non-residential planning permit applications will often need to include the following reports:
- Published BESS report (BESS Tool Notes can be accessed at https://bess.net.au/tool - notes/)
- Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA) or Sustainability Management Plan (SMP) (depending on council guideline)
- Blue Factor or MUSIC modelling report for stormwater management
- Preliminary NatHERS/ NCC energy efficiency report (depending on residential and non - residential component)
- Proposed plan clearly detailing ESD and WSUD features committed to in SDA or SMP report.
-
The design detail shown in a planning application process will often include the following in development plan:
- Mark-up showing the roof catchment area and connection of rainwater tanks for toilet flushing or irrigation.
- Note showing the use of native or drought tolerant plant species for landscaped areas.
- Note showing WELS rating for water fittings/fixtures.
- Detail showing the commitment to exceeding NatHERS/section J energy efficiency.
- Detail of maximum illumination power density (W/m2) of the development.
- Inclusion of lighting sensors for external lighting (motion detectors, timers etc).
- Provision of rooftop Solar PV systems.
- Provision of secure and undercover bike storage spaces and electric car charging station.
- Detail of crossflow diagram, double glazing, orientation and shading of windows.
- Detail of electrical infrastructure provisions to satisfy NCC 2022 J1P4 (electric vehicle charging and on - site renewable energy generation/ storage) if applicable.
- Meet local fire safety regulations for the provision of EV charging.
Planning application requirements
It is necessary to obtain 50% overall in BESS, as well as mandatory ‘pass’ the Water, Energy, Stormwater and Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) categories. Below is some advice to meet the overall requirements to meet in BESS criteria.
| BESS category | Recommended criteria for planning application |
|---|
| Water efficiency | - To use water efficiently and minimise total operating potable water use.
- To collect and reuse rainwater and stormwater.
- Use WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards) fixtures, fittings, and connections within one star of the best available.
|
| Energy efficiency | - A minimum 7.0-star average NatHERS rating is required to pass the Energy category in BESS.
- Apartment cooling loads are to meet the limits set out in 55.07-1 of the Geelong planning scheme. House and Townhouse cooling loads are not to exceed 30MJ/sqm annum.
- Preliminary NCC section J modelling is recommended for conditioned non-residential areas. The City encourages applicants to submit a NCC façade calculator in the planning application to demonstrate the façade design thermal performance.
- To reduce energy peak demand through design measures, an appropriate size of Solar PV for building is recommended, particularly when a ESD report is triggered for the development. 2kW per dwelling is encouraged for residential development.
- Double glazing should be annotated on the floor plans and elevations for all habitable room windows and glazed doors.
- Washing lines should be provided to dwelling private open spaces where appropriate.
- Avoid the use of ceiling inserted downlights to reduce thermal bridging through the ceiling insulation.
- Avoid excessive use of skylights, it is recommended for skylights to be operable for ventilation and to have operable shading to prevent excessive solar gains during warmer weather.
|
| Stormwater management | - To improve the water quality of stormwater runoff, best practice standards for managing stormwater is recommended. The City encourages applicants to provide a Blue Factor report or MUSIC model to demonstrate that the Urban Stormwater – Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines (BPEM) standards for water quality (CSIRO & Victorian Stormwater Committee 1999) have been met.
- Rainwater tanks are to target a minimum rainwater reliability of 80%.
- Appropriate size of the rainwater tank is always recommended for stormwater reuse. For residential dwellings, 2,000L rainwater tanks (minimum) connected to toilets will be required to pass the Water category in BESS. The City recommends 2,500L – 3,000L.
- Raingardens cannot be located on boundaries due to flooding risk.
- The development plans are to detail all WSUD features specified in the WSUD report.
- The City generally does not accept proprietary stormwater treatment products as a means of demonstrating compliance with the BPEM standards. There is a strong preference for rainwater tanks, swales, and raingardens.
-
|
| Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) | - To achieve a healthy indoor environment for building occupants, City recommends fresh air intake, cross ventilation, and natural daylight with minimal mechanical heating and cooling.
- All North facing windows to habitable rooms should have fixed horizontal shading. The 25% shading formula from Energy Smart Housing Manual by Sustainability Victoria (page 41) should be used to design eaves.
- The City encourages applicants to submit a daylight analysis based on Green Star hand calculation method or a BESS compliant daylight modelling report.
- Ventilation diagrams need to be submitted demonstrate compliance with BESS cross flow/ natural ventilation credits.
- Developments are to make appropriate use of orientation and shading for daylight amenity and thermal comfort.
|
| Transport | - At least one secure, undercover, and accessible bike parking space per dwelling.
- Non-residential developments will need to provide electrical infrastructure to facilitate electric vehicle (EV) charging and load management as applicable by NCC 2022 Volume 1 Part J9D4.
|
| Waste Management | - All waste streams are to be easily accessible and equally convenient.
|
| Urban Ecology | - Maximise vegetation and urban greening wherever feasible.
- Minimise the use of dark materials for roofs and external walls to reduce Urban Heat Island Effect impact. It is recommended to adopt materials with a Solar absorptance <0.6.
|