The SDAPP Program refers to the consistent inclusion of key environmental performance considerations into the planning permit approvals process in order to achieve more sustainable outcomes for the long-term benefit of the wider community.
Background
Local governments have identified a clear need to improve outcomes in environmentally sustainable design (ESD) through their planning processes. A core group of councils has been working to improve planning processes that deliver environmental sustainability outcomes. This group of councils is called the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE) and have developed a broad program called 'Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process' (SDAPP).
Role of local governments
This program recognises the role of local governments as a statutory authority and seeks to assist all local governments to be streamlined and consistent in requesting improved environmental outcomes – through the planning process.
These considerations are continually maintained and refined by CASBE to ensure they continue to be consistent with and, where possible, build upon existing minimum performance standards as stated within the Victorian planning and building schemes.
Referral Triggers
Councils may have different referral triggers that determine if a planning application is “eligible” to participate in the SDAPP Program. These can range from only large-scale developments to situations where all works exceeding 50m2 are eligible. In order to assess applications, councils ask that applicants provide information on the sustainable design initiatives through the lodgement of a Sustainable Design Assessment (a short report outlining sustainable design initiatives catering small and medium sized applications) or a Sustainability Management Plan (a more detailed report catering for larger applications). Regional, rural, peri-urban and growth area councils are currently considering their own assessment requirements based on their development context. The following sustainable design elements form part of a sustainable design assessment (SDA) or sustainability management plan (SMP) under the SDAPP Program:
- Indoor Environment Quality
- Energy Efficiency
- Water Resources
- Stormwater Management
- Building Materials
- Transport
- Waste Management
- Urban Ecology
- Innovation
- Ongoing building and site management
Proportional Expectations
All submissions under SDAPP are considered in the context of the development and specific permit application. A Council should always have proportional expectations for documentation and environmental performance that are reasonable in each context.
SDAPP in practice
The process is currently operating in a number of Victorian councils in general accordance with the diagram shown below. As part of the SDAPP Roll-out project, slight variations on the model outlined below are being considered to enable the process to be tailored to each council development context, including regional, rural, peri-urban and growth area councils.
Download a flowchart detailing a typical SDAPP process (PDF, 142KB)
Sustainable Design Assessment Tools (STEPS & SDS)
To facilitate the SDAPP Program, two self-assessment tools, STEPS & SDS, have been developed for use by applicants to demonstrate ESD initiatives. Both these tools are free and available for anyone anywhere to use, with a compliant STEPS or Sustainable Design Scorecard (SDS) assessment report used to support a Sustainable Design Assessment of Sustainable Management Plan.
STEPS is a web-based tool used to assess residential developments, while the Sustainable Design Scorecard (SDS) is an Excel-based tool used for non-residential developments.
Both tools are available from the STEPS website.
