The STEPS and SDS tools have been designed to improve the environmental performance of buildings submitted through the planning process. Participants will get an in-depth understanding of these tools and insight into how the they can be used to assist planning applications. The sustainability and regulatory context for STEPS and SDS will be clarified, alongside an analysis of relevant VCAT decisions. The process for incorporating the tools into the planning processes will be broadly explained, including referrals, triggers, conditions and standard permits.
Presenters
Greg Snelders, Project Specialist - Commercial Buildings, Moreland Energy Foundation
Govind Maksay, Project Specialist - Residential Buildings, Moreland Energy Foundation
Course outline
1) Sustainability, planning and the history of key VCAT decisions
- Objectives of SDAPP
- What is environmentally sustainable design in planning
- Victorian planning policies relevant to sustainability
- VCAT’s view on SDAPP and history of key decisions
- How the STEPS and SDS tools can be applied within the Victorian planning system
- How councils are using SDAPP (triggers, referrals etc.)
2) Buildings and sustainability policy context
- Factors impacting sustainability in the built environment
- Climate change and localised impacts
- Energy use, trends and peak load energy demand
- Water availability and consumption
- Storm water, harvesting and environmental impact
- Existing regulatory landscape and future policy directions
3) Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP)
- Benefits of early design intervention and improving the environmental performance of buildings
- FirstRate5 as a design tool
- Overview of the SDAPP planning approvals process
- Overview of the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE)
- Outline of the SDAPP Accord funded project
4) Introduction to STEPS
- Key assessment areas in STEPS: energy, peak demand, water, storm-water, materials
- Understanding Melbourne Water’s STORM tool
- Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) measures
- Applying STEPS to multi residential developments
5) Introduction to SDS
- Development and management of SDS
- Environmental areas covered by SDS
- How were the scores developed?
Recommended for
Ideal for statutory and strategic planners, this workshop is also relevant for Council’s capital works and building maintenance staff who may use STEPS and SDS for Council’s own developments. The course is designed to support local governments who have already established an SDAPP framework and are implementing the Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process.
Additional information
For additional information please go to our CASBE page
