Sustainable Design Assessments

What is a Sustainable Design Assessment?

Sustainable Design Assessments, as their name suggest, assesses a development to ensure an adequate level of sustainability features have been incorporated into the design. The assessment will generally include a Bess Assessment and a Water Sensitive Design Assessment, with the following factors considered within the report:

Energy Use
Water Use
Stormwater Management
Indoor Environment Quality
Transport Initiatives
Waste Management
Urban Ecology
Management & Innovative building practices

Following the assessment, the Green Rate consultant preparing the report will suggest cost effective, realistic sustainability features to ensure that the proposed development meet all regulatory requirements.

Why and when do I need a Sustainable Design Assessment

In Victoria, local Councils have planning instruments that require a variety of factors to be considered before approval can be granted for a development application. The requirement for a Sustainable Design Assessment is triggered when a development application is submitted and is normally formally requested by a Request for Information issued by Council.

Sustainable Design Assessments are required within Victoria for new residential developments up to 9 dwellings and for commercial developments up to 1,000 m2 Gross Floor Area.

What else can Sustainable Design Assessments be called

How do I get a Sustainable Design Assessment completed

Once the town planning drawings have been prepared and shared, the Green Rate Team will review and provide a detailed quotation. Once approved, the Green Rate Team will begin the assessment utilizing the following steps:

Review of provided plans
Water Sensitive Design Assessment Undertaken
Bess Assessment Undertaken
SDA Report drafted
Preliminary SDA report issued to the client for review and comment
Report finalisation

Why does getting a good quality Sustainable Design Assessment matter

Ensuring the correct sustainability features are incorporated into the development is critical to guaranteeing a cost effective, environmentally friendly development that will provide a comfortable and health living space for years to come.

The sustainability commitments made within the Sustainable Design Assessment can have a huge impact on the development in the following areas:

Up front cost implications
Ongoing expenses for the occupants
Long term environmental benefits
Long term health and comfort of the occupants