If you are a builder or developer within Victoria who needs to apply for a planning permit for a site development of multiple residential buildings (or a commercial building), you may be required to include an ESD Report with your application.

• Optimise the site’s potential;
• Reduce your water, energy and waste footprint;
• Create places for communities that consider diversity, the local economy and connectivity;
• Enhance ecology; and
• Be adaptable and encourage innovation in emerging trends and technology.

The key sustainability categories usually assessed before you can receive your Town Planning and Building Permit include:

Floyd Energy® will work out the ESD requirements for your project (when Council directives are general) and then work through each section required in order to obtain the best outcome for your development.

As appropriate, we begin your ESD report with a Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS) assessment. Sometimes a NatHERS energy rating assessment is used as constructive input into the BESS tool. We also use the STORM tool as a part of the Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) requirement if this is needed or as requested as part of the ESD assessment by Council. All of this information is then collated into an ESD Report and given to you to submit to Council as part of your Development Application.

A full set of plans and a Summary of Sustainable Initiatives (if available) is required for us to get started on an ESD assessment. The Summary of Sustainable Initiatives should include such things as water tanks, how grey/black water is dealt with, solar fixtures/appliances, efficient lighting/appliances, bicycle racks, etc. Basically, all design aspects envisaged to be incorporated in to your design that will increase water, energy and other efficiency throughout the development.

A Floyd Energy® ESD report will address all key sustainability criteria and detail how your development has met these requirements. We ensure that mandatory requirements of the NCC, such as thermal comfort, ventilation, daylight and energy efficiency, will be met, as well as your Council’s best practice standards in relation to ESD principles.