Sustainable Design Fact Sheets

# Sustainable Subdivisions Framework Explained

“ To build resilient and liveable cities and towns, we need to ensure that our neighbourhoods are low carbon and climate resilient. ”

For a great deal of Victorian Councils, single residential dwellings do not require a planning permit, but decisions made at the point of subdivision can make a substantial impact on the achievement of sustainability in a new development.

The Sustainable Subdivisions Framework (SSF) seeks to build on the well-established process for assessing Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) for buildings in Victoria to ensure that sustainability is embedded at the subdivision scale, recognising its role in the making of new communities.

# What is sustainable design in subdivisions?

Sustainable design is design that works to minimise resource use and impact on ecosystems while improving the lives of those affected by it. Sustainable design protects our environment, secures todays living standards and future proofs our communities against the impacts of climate change.

Residential subdivision represents a significant opportunity to influence sustainability outcomes in the built environment, from how streets are designed to maximise solar access for future dwellings through to the planning of open space and integration with transport networks.

# Sustainable subdivision design and planning

The Sustainable Subdivisions Framework (SSF) sets out a series of sustainable built environment opportunities which can be influenced through the development planning and subdivision planning processes.

Sustainable subdivisions can be facilitated through a number of planning stages including Precinct Structure Plans, Development Plans, and through provisions already contained within the planning scheme. Clause 56 (Residential Subdivisions) contains a number of objectives and standards around Lot Design (Cl. 56.04), Urban Landscape (Cl. 56.05), Integrated Water Management (C. 56.07) and others). This framework responds specifically to the subdivision stage, but recognises precinct structure planning as a foundation of good subdivisions.

Subdivisions vary greatly in size and location. Application requirements will vary depending on the scale of the subdivision.

# What is the Sustainable Subdivisions Framework?

The Sustainable Subdivisions Framework (SSF) has been developed to assist council planners in providing a more holistic evaluation of environmental outcomes of subdivision applications, with clear quantitative metrics and requirements for delivering sustainable communities.

The SSF is organised into the 7 themes or categories:

  • Site Layout and Liveability
  • Streets and Public Realm
  • Energy
  • Ecology
  • Integrated Water Management
  • Urban Heat
  • Circular Economy

The SSF lists design strategies that could be included in your subdivision proposal that would result in more sustainable design outcomes.

# Using the SSF in your project

For more information about the SSF and how it can be applied in your project, please contact your council planner.

# Resources for sustainable subdivisions

The CASBE website contains further information and reference documents to assist applicants to consider sustainability outcomes in their subdivision planning permit application. We encourage you to engage early with the council planner to discuss your SSF submission.

# Other sustainable community design tools

# Green Star Communities

The Green Star tools are nationally recognised tools, which are voluntary and can be used to demonstrate compliance with provisions within the planning scheme. The tools are developed and managed by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), who is the nation’s authority on sustainable buildings, communities and cities. Green Star Communities assesses the planning, design and construction of large-scale development projects at a precinct, neighbourhood and/or community scale. It provides a rigorous and holistic rating across five impact categories.

  • Governance
  • Liveability
  • Economic Prosperity
  • Environment
  • Innovation

More information on Green Star Communities can be found at: www.gbca.org.au (opens new window)

# EnviroDevelopment

The EnviroDevelopment tool can be used to assess six sustainability criteria: Ecosystems, Waste, Energy, Materials, Water and Community. Developers can choose which ones they want to certify. A registration fee is payable to use the tool for a specific project. A certification fee is payable for each category the developer would like to certify and annual certification renewal is required.

The tool includes both subdivision level and building level requirements, including a requirement for the provision of design guidelines.

More information on EnviroDevelopment can be found at: www.envirodevelopment.com.au (opens new window)

# Infrastructure Design Manual and Sustainable Infrastructure Guidelines

The Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM) was developed by local government to unify councils approach to designing and assessing essential services such as roads, urban and rural drainage, stormwater treatments, public lighting, street trees and more. There are currently 44 Victorian Councils that have adopted the IDM.

The manual covers common definitions, standards and documentation requirements associated with the design and delivery of infrastructure and can be used when designing infrastructure for a subdivision.

In 2012, a number of ‘green infrastructure standards’ were introduced to increase the IDMs capacity to deliver sustainable infrastructure. These standards are known as the Sustainable Infrastructure Guidelines (SIG) and can be used by all Victorian Councils, not just those who have adopted the IDM.

The SIG provides alternative design and construction initiatives to achieve greater sustainability outcomes for all construction and design elements of the Infrastructure Design Manual (IDM). The SIG provides information around:

  • Material Recycling and Reuse
  • Integrated Water Management
  • Landscaping and Open Space
  • Public Lighting

In addition, the SIG contains a Carbon Calculator tool which provides information on embodied carbon per unit of construction material that have been assessed.

The IDM and SIG can be viewed and downloaded at: www.designmanual.com.au (opens new window)

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