Environmentally sustainable design

Conceptual representation of a green home and environmentally friendly construction. It includes a house icon placed on a lush green lawn, with the sun shining overhead

Brimbank City Council is committed to creating an environmentally sustainable City. Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) and Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) are assessed as part of the planning process to ensure positive outcomes for all new development in Brimbank.

Council has also declared a climate emergency and emphasised the urgent need for climate action in the Brimbank Climate Emergency Plan.

Environmentally Sustainable Design

Brimbank City Council along with over 20 other Victorian Councils, have an Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) Local Planning Policy which seeks ESD to be integrated into land-use planning, new developments and redevelopment of existing infrastructure.

Refer to Clause 22.02 - Environmentally Sustainable Development for Brimbank’s ESD Policy, and the Building Design section under Clause 15.01 - Built Environment for ESD related Victoria-wide provisions.

Water Sensitive Urban Design

The Brimbank Planning Scheme contains additional Victoria-wide planning provisions that provide integrated water management objectives for both conserving drinking water and better stormwater management. These are similar to the Water and Stormwater objectives contained in Brimbank’s ESD Policy.

Refer to Clause 53.18 - Stormwater Management in Urban Development in the Brimbank Planning Scheme.

What ESD information do I need to submit

The type of submission required depends on the nature of the development, how many dwellings are proposed and the proposed floor area of non-residential development.

    Single houses & townhouses

    Residential development: 1 new dwelling (no other buildings kept)

    ESD: No ESD information is required.

    WSUD: No WSUD information is required.

    Residential development: 1 new dwelling (with other buildings kept)

    ESD: No ESD information is required.

    WSUD: Best practice in stormwater management is to be demonstrated:

    • Refer to the Brimbank ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design for information about preferred WSUD strategies and submission requirements
    • WSUD strategy – Describe the WSUD strategy
    • WSUD treatment types – Please follow the 'Brimbank WSUD Hierarchy' and the ‘Encouraged WSUD treatment methods’ listed in order of preference in the ESD. Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design
    • WSUD Modelling – either STORM or MUSIC is sought to evidence best practice
    • WSUD plan – A drawing is sought which indicates the catchments and treatments
    • WSUD device details – Details are sought of treatment devices appropriate to assess their effectiveness
    • WSUD during construction – Provide detail of, or reference to an appropriate erosion and sediment control measures to be employed during construction (this may be included in a Construction Management Plan for larger projects).
    • WSUD during operation – Maintenance commitments are sought for each treatment device to ensure they operate effectively for the life of the development.

    Residential development: 2-9 townhouses

    ESD: Best practice in environmentally sustainable design is to be demonstrated:

    OR

    WSUD: Best practice in stormwater management is to be demonstrated as part of ESD:

    • Refer to the Brimbank ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB) for information about preferred WSUD strategies and submission requirements
    • WSUD strategy – Describe the WSUD strategy within the ESD report (not a separate report)
    • WSUD treatment types – Please follow the Brimbank WSUD Hierarchy and the ‘Encouraged WSUD treatment methods’ listed in order of preference in the ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB).
    • WSUD Modelling – either STORM or MUSIC is sought to evidence best practice
    • WSUD plan – A drawing is sought which indicates the catchments and treatments
    • WSUD device details – Details are sought of treatment devices appropriate to assess their effectiveness
    • WSUD during construction – Provide detail of, or reference to an appropriate erosion and sediment control measures to be employed during construction (this may be included in a Construction Management Plan for larger projects).
    • WSUD during operation – Maintenance commitments are sought for each treatment device to ensure they operate effectively for the life of the development.

    Residential development: 10+ townhouses

    ESD: Best practice in environmentally sustainable design is to be demonstrated:

    WSUD: Best practice in stormwater management is to be demonstrated as part of ESD:

    • Refer to the Brimbank ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB) for information about preferred WSUD strategies and submission requirements
    • WSUD strategy – Describe the WSUD strategy within the ESD report (not a separate report)
    • WSUD treatment types – Please follow the Brimbank WSUD Hierarchy and the ‘Encouraged WSUD treatment methods’ listed in order of preference in the ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB).
    • WSUD Modelling – either STORM or MUSIC is sought to evidence best practice
    • WSUD plan – A drawing is sought which indicates the catchments and treatments
    • WSUD device details – Details are sought of treatment devices appropriate to assess their effectiveness
    • WSUD during construction – Provide detail of, or reference to an appropriate erosion and sediment control measures to be employed during construction (this may be included in a Construction Management Plan for larger projects).
    • WSUD during operation – Maintenance commitments are sought for each treatment device to ensure they operate effectively for the life of the development.

      GTP:

      • Please speak to City Development Services to see if a Green Travel Plan is required for your application.

      Apartments

      Residential development: 2-9 apartments

      ESD: Best practice in environmentally sustainable design is to be demonstrated:

      • An ESD report is sought which covers the 10 sustainable building categories, including WSUD
      • Provide a Sustainable design assessment (SDA) which has been written specifically for your proposed development.

      WSUD: Best practice in stormwater management is to be demonstrated as part of ESD:

      • Refer to the Brimbank ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB) for information about preferred WSUD strategies and submission requirements
      • WSUD strategy – Describe the WSUD strategy within the ESD report (not a separate report)
      • WSUD treatment types – Please follow the Brimbank WSUD Hierarchy and the ‘Encouraged WSUD treatment methods’ listed in order of preference in the ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB).
      • WSUD Modelling – either STORM or MUSIC is sought to evidence best practice
      • WSUD plan – A drawing is sought which indicates the catchments and treatments
      • WSUD device details – Details are sought of treatment devices appropriate to assess their effectiveness
      • WSUD during construction – Provide detail of, or reference to an appropriate erosion and sediment control measures to be employed during construction (this may be included in a Construction Management Plan for larger projects).
      • WSUD during operation – Maintenance commitments are sought for each treatment device to ensure they operate effectively for the life of the development.

      Residential development: 10+ apartments

      ESD: Best practice in environmentally sustainable design is to be demonstrated:

      WSUD: Best practice in stormwater management is to be demonstrated as part of ESD:

      • Refer to the Brimbank ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB) for information about preferred WSUD strategies and submission requirements
      • WSUD strategy – Describe the WSUD strategy within the ESD report (not a separate report)
      • WSUD treatment types – Please follow the Brimbank WSUD Hierarchy and the ‘Encouraged WSUD treatment methods’ listed in order of preference in the ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB).
      • WSUD Modelling – either STORM or MUSIC is sought to evidence best practice
      • WSUD plan – A drawing is sought which indicates the catchments and treatments
      • WSUD device details – Details are sought of treatment devices appropriate to assess their effectiveness
      • WSUD during construction – Provide detail of, or reference to an appropriate erosion and sediment control measures to be employed during construction (this may be included in a Construction Management Plan for larger projects).
      • WSUD during operation – Maintenance commitments are sought for each treatment device to ensure they operate effectively for the life of the development.

        GTP:

        • Please speak to City Development Services to see if a Green Travel Plan is required for your application.

          Non-residential (based on floor area)

          Non-residential development: < 50 m2

          ESD: No ESD information is required.

          WSUD: Best practice in stormwater management is to be demonstrated as part of ESD:

          • Refer to the Brimbank ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB) for information about preferred WSUD strategies and submission requirements
          • WSUD strategy – Describe the WSUD strategy within the ESD report (not a separate report)
          • WSUD treatment types – Please follow the Brimbank WSUD Hierarchy and the ‘Encouraged WSUD treatment methods’ listed in order of preference in the ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB).
          • WSUD Modelling – either STORM or MUSIC is sought to evidence best practice
          • WSUD plan – A drawing is sought which indicates the catchments and treatments
          • WSUD device details – Details are sought of treatment devices appropriate to assess their effectiveness
          • WSUD during construction – Provide detail of, or reference to an appropriate erosion and sediment control measures to be employed during construction (this may be included in a Construction Management Plan for larger projects).
          • WSUD during operation – Maintenance commitments are sought for each treatment device to ensure they operate effectively for the life of the development.

          Non-residential development: 50 m2 – 2000 m2

          ESD: Best practice in environmentally sustainable design is to be demonstrated:

          WSUD: Best practice in stormwater management is to be demonstrated as part of ESD:

          • Refer to the Brimbank ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB) for information about preferred WSUD strategies and submission requirements
          • WSUD strategy – Describe the WSUD strategy within the ESD report (not a separate report)
          • WSUD treatment types – Please follow the Brimbank WSUD Hierarchy and the ‘Encouraged WSUD treatment methods’ listed in order of preference in the ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB).
          • WSUD Modelling – either STORM or MUSIC is sought to evidence best practice
          • WSUD plan – A drawing is sought which indicates the catchments and treatments
          • WSUD device details – Details are sought of treatment devices appropriate to assess their effectiveness
          • WSUD during construction – Provide detail of, or reference to an appropriate erosion and sediment control measures to be employed during construction (this may be included in a Construction Management Plan for larger projects).
          • WSUD during operation – Maintenance commitments are sought for each treatment device to ensure they operate effectively for the life of the development.

          Non-residential development: ≥ 2000 m2

          ESD: Best practice in environmentally sustainable design is to be demonstrated:

          WSUD: Best practice in stormwater management is to be demonstrated as part of ESD:

          • Refer to the Brimbank ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB) for information about preferred WSUD strategies and submission requirements
          • WSUD strategy – Describe the WSUD strategy within the ESD report (not a separate report)
          • WSUD treatment types – Please follow the Brimbank WSUD Hierarchy and the ‘Encouraged WSUD treatment methods’ listed in order of preference in the ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB).
          • WSUD Modelling – either STORM or MUSIC is sought to evidence best practice
          • WSUD plan – A drawing is sought which indicates the catchments and treatments
          • WSUD device details – Details are sought of treatment devices appropriate to assess their effectiveness
          • WSUD during construction – Provide detail of, or reference to an appropriate erosion and sediment control measures to be employed during construction (this may be included in a Construction Management Plan for larger projects).
          • WSUD during operation – Maintenance commitments are sought for each treatment device to ensure they operate effectively for the life of the development.

            GTP:

            • Please speak to City Development Services to see if a Green Travel Plan is required for your application.

                Mixed use (based on floor area)

                Mixed-use development: 1-9 dwellings & < 2000 m2 non-residential

                ESD: Best practice in environmentally sustainable design is to be demonstrated:

                WSUD: Best practice in stormwater management is to be demonstrated as part of ESD:

                • Refer to the Brimbank ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB) for information about preferred WSUD strategies and submission requirements
                • WSUD strategy – Describe the WSUD strategy within the ESD report (not a separate report)
                • WSUD treatment types – Please follow the Brimbank WSUD Hierarchy and the ‘Encouraged WSUD treatment methods’ listed in order of preference in the ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB).
                • WSUD Modelling – either STORM or MUSIC is sought to evidence best practice
                • WSUD plan – A drawing is sought which indicates the catchments and treatments
                • WSUD device details – Details are sought of treatment devices appropriate to assess their effectiveness
                • WSUD during construction – Provide detail of, or reference to an appropriate erosion and sediment control measures to be employed during construction (this may be included in a Construction Management Plan for larger projects).
                • WSUD during operation – Maintenance commitments are sought for each treatment device to ensure they operate effectively for the life of the development.

                  GTP:

                  • Please speak to City Development Services to see if a Green Travel Plan is required for your application.

                      Mixed-use development: 1-9 dwellings & > 2000 m2 non-residential

                      ESD: Best practice in environmentally sustainable design is to be demonstrated:

                      WSUD: Best practice in stormwater management is to be demonstrated as part of ESD:

                      • Refer to the Brimbank ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB) for information about preferred WSUD strategies and submission requirements
                      • WSUD strategy – Describe the WSUD strategy within the ESD report (not a separate report)
                      • WSUD treatment types – Please follow the Brimbank WSUD Hierarchy and the ‘Encouraged WSUD treatment methods’ listed in order of preference in the ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB).
                      • WSUD Modelling – either STORM or MUSIC is sought to evidence best practice
                      • WSUD plan – A drawing is sought which indicates the catchments and treatments
                      • WSUD device details – Details are sought of treatment devices appropriate to assess their effectiveness
                      • WSUD during construction – Provide detail of, or reference to an appropriate erosion and sediment control measures to be employed during construction (this may be included in a Construction Management Plan for larger projects).
                      • WSUD during operation – Maintenance commitments are sought for each treatment device to ensure they operate effectively for the life of the development.

                        GTP:

                        • Please speak to City Development Services to see if a Green Travel Plan is required for your application.

                          Mixed-use development: 10+ dwellings & non-residential

                          ESD: Best practice in environmentally sustainable design is to be demonstrated:

                          WSUD: Best practice in stormwater management is to be demonstrated as part of ESD:

                          • Refer to the Brimbank ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB) for information about preferred WSUD strategies and submission requirements
                          • WSUD strategy – Describe the WSUD strategy within the ESD report (not a separate report)
                          • WSUD treatment types – Please follow the Brimbank WSUD Hierarchy and the ‘Encouraged WSUD treatment methods’ listed in order of preference in the ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design (PDF 2.3 MB).
                          • WSUD Modelling – either STORM or MUSIC is sought to evidence best practice
                          • WSUD plan – A drawing is sought which indicates the catchments and treatments
                          • WSUD device details – Details are sought of treatment devices appropriate to assess their effectiveness
                          • WSUD during construction – Provide detail of, or reference to an appropriate erosion and sediment control measures to be employed during construction (this may be included in a Construction Management Plan for larger projects).
                          • WSUD during operation – Maintenance commitments are sought for each treatment device to ensure they operate effectively for the life of the development.

                            GTP:

                            • Please speak to City Development Services to see if a Green Travel Plan is required for your application.

                              Other

                              Subdivisions

                              ESD: No ESD information is required.

                              WSUD: Best practice in stormwater management is to be demonstrated as part of ESD:

                              • Provide a detail WSUD report that demonstrates best practice in stormwater management
                              • Refer to the Brimbank ESD Guidance - Water Sensitive Urban Design for information about preferred WSUD strategies and submission requirements.

                              Other development

                              If you have not found the ESD application requirements for your development please contact Brimbank on 03 9249 4000 and ask for the Duty Planner.

                              How is this assessed

                              The Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP) framework is utilised at Brimbank to assess environmental best practice of new development. The framework is shared by a growing number of Councils state-wide who are part of the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment CASBE). CASBE allows for Brimbank and other Councils to exchange information on ESD and best practice standards.

                              Refer to the Introduction to the SDAPP framework for an overview (please note Brimbank ESD policy triggers for planning applications to vary from that listed in the document).

                              Information and resources

                              There are ten core categories which applicants are asked to address when they provide ESD information. Policy objectives and City Development Services expectations for how these are met are listed for each category.

                              See The ten sustainable building categories for this information as well as links to resources.

                              Last updated: 6 March 2024 - 9:30am
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