Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA)

for planning applications

Sustainable Design in the Planning Process (SDAPP)

Yarra Ranges Council’s planning permit application process includes Environmentally Sustainable
Development (ESD) considerations. Completing a Sustainable Design Assessment as part of the Planning
Process is:
 A practical approach to assessing sustainable development matters during the planning permit
application process.
 The consistent inclusion of key environmental performance considerations into the planning
approvals process.
 Your guide to achieving more sustainable building outcomes for the long-term benefit of the wider
community.
Planning permit applications with Yarra Ranges Council which meet certain triggers are now required to
include a Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA), as detailed in the Local Policy Clause 22.03. You will be
required to submit an SDA if it meets one of the following categories:
 Residential – three to nine dwellings
 Non-residential - 500m2 to 1000m2 of non-residential Gross Floor Area (GFA) or alterations and
additions of between 500m2 and 1000m2
Please refer to the Sustainable Management Plan (SMP) information for building sizes exceeding these
categories. All information on the SDAPP program can be obtained on the Yarra Ranges Council website.

What is a Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA)?

A Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA) is a document that sets out the sustainable design features of a
proposed development.
This template is designed to provide guidance on how to prepare an SDA report. The document outlines
objectives, ESD issues and the 10 sustainable development categories to be addressed. You can either
prepare your own report or use this template by inserting your own responses.
Alongside this template (or in place of it), you must complete a Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard
(BESS) report. The free BESS report can be used solely or in conjunction with this template to meet the
Sustainable Design Assessment requirements.
It is important that all relevant initiatives are clearly annotated on architectural drawings. As an example,
window attributes, sun shading and materials should be noted on elevations and finishes schedules, water
tanks and renewable energy devices should be shown on plans.

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Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA)
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Table of Contents:

Project Information........................................................................................................................................................................ 3

1. Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ).......................................................................................................................................4

2. Energy Efficiency.........................................................................................................................................................................5

3. Water Resources......................................................................................................................................................................... 7

4. Stormwater Management.......................................................................................................................................................8

5. Building Materials...................................................................................................................................................................... 9

6. Transport........................................................................................................................................................................................ 9

7. Waste Management............................................................................................................................................................... 11

8. Urban Ecology...........................................................................................................................................................................11

9. Innovation................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

10. Ongoing Building and Site Management...................................................................................................................14

NOTE
The tables on the following pages contain examples of how you might meet sustainable design
requirements. You need to replace this text with your own.

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Project Information

Project Description

Property Address

Site Area

Site Coverage (building and hard landscaping areas)

Proposed Building Areas (GFA m2):

Tools engaged for Sustainable Design Assessment

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Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA)
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1. Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ)

Purpose:
 to achieve a healthy indoor environment quality for the wellbeing of building occupants.
 to provide a naturally comfortable indoor environment which will lower the need for building
services, such as artificial lighting, mechanical ventilation and cooling and heating devices.

Issues Design Responses

Daylight Describe how habitable rooms receive enough daylight throughout the day. Balancing daylight
requirements and heat gain in summer by minimising excessive glazing to the west.
Example initiatives:
 Prioritising north facing orientation for habitable rooms.
 Installing operable skylights (not facing west) or daylight tubes to increase natural
light levels where direct access is low

Ventilatio Describe how rooms can be sufficiently ventilated (preferably naturally but where this is
n impractical, mechanically) and provide occupants with quality fresh air. Selecting window
types that maximise ventilation and meet mixed mobility abilities.
Example initiatives:
 Operable windows maximised including to bathrooms, studies, hallways and
stairwells.
 Using a minimum of 2 operable windows or doors for all rooms for passive
ventilation.
 Using ceiling fans to increase air movement.

Thermal Describe how habitable rooms sufficiently insulated, shaded and conditioned to ensure
Comfort comfortable temperatures throughout the year. Detail how shading is implemented for east,
north and west faced glazing, including glazed doors.
Example initiatives:
 Using ceiling fans to increase air movement and avoid reliance on air conditioning.
 Provide external operable shade devices to east, north and west facing windows and
glazed doors.

Air Describe commitment to choose building materials and finishes with low levels of Volatile
Quality Organic Compounds (VOC) and other hazardous components.
For example: Low VOC adhesives and paints used

Others

Documenting initiatives (e.g. include on plans):

 Glazing colour on elevation drawings.
 Draw how all windows open on elevation plans.
 Skylights on Roof Plan drawings.
 Show window openings on elevation drawings
 Mark ceiling fans on floor site plans.
 Mark shading devices with dimensions on plans and elevations.
More information can be found in the Indoor Environment Quality fact sheet >

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Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA)
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2. Energy Efficiency
Purpose:
 Maximising passive design through improvements to the building shell
 Ensuring efficient use of energy through highly efficient mechanical and electrical system
components.
 Reducing operating greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs.
 Encouraging uptake of local renewable energy generation.

Issues Design Responses

BCA Energy Provide preliminary energy ratings NatHERS for all thermally unique dwellings and for
Efficiency non-residential, NABERS Energy, or provide information demonstrating how energy
requirements efficiency requirements will be achieved. Enclose preliminary energy rating.
exceeded Example initiatives:
 Double glazing as a minimum to all windows
 Use insulated, thermally broken window and door frames
 Set high insulation levels to ceilings, walls and floor (including insulating the
slab if this is the floor type)
 Orientate dwellings to the north

Hot Water Describe hot water system type and efficiency rating. Indicate location and size on plans.
System Example initiatives:
 High efficiency electric heat pump hot water system

Efficient Provide description and show shading elements on plans, finishes schedule and
Shading elevations.
Example initiatives:
 Use fixed, external horizontal shading (e.g. eaves) to north facing windows and
doors to meet 25% formula from Sustainability Victoria ‘Energy Smart Housing
Manual’ page 41.

Efficient Describe commitment to choose heating and cooling options with high efficiency ratings.
heating and Indicate equipment location and size on plans.
cooling Example initiatives:
system  Equipment chosen within 1 star of the best available

Efficient Provide description and list the main habitable areas considering lighting indicating how
Lighting min. standards are being exceeded (e,g. residential living areas should not exceed 4w/m2)
Example initiatives:
 LED lighting throughout the development
 Motion sensor or timer installed for outdoor lighting

Electricity Describe on-site electricity generation including size. Indicate inverter location and size on
Generation plans.
Example initiatives:
 Solar PV system, sized to meet onsite electrical demands

Others Example initiatives:

 Provide clotheslines for each dwelling

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Documenting initiatives (e.g. include on plans):

 Annotate ‘DG’ (Double Glazed) on floor plans and elevations
 Hot water service location, size and type
 Mark shading devices with dimensions on plans and elevations.
 Heating and Cooling system size and location
 Mark solar PV on plans
 Show clothesline size and location on plans
More information can be found in the Energy Efficiency fact sheet >

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3. Water Efficiency
Purpose:
 Ensuring the efficient use of water and minimising costs from water use
 Supporting the collection and reuse of alternative water sources, e.g. grey water, rainwater and
stormwater

Issues Design Responses

Minimising Provide water efficient appliances including shower heads, taps and toilet cisterns within
Amenity one star of the best available.
Water Example initiatives include:
Demand  4 star WELS rated showerheads
 4 star WELS rated toilets
 5 or 6 star WELS rated tap fittings

Water for Describe water source for toilet flushing. Indicate rain water tank’s location and size on
Toilet plans if applicable.
Flushing Example initiative includes:
 Rainwater tank connected for toilet flushing

Water Meter Provide information on how any multiple unit developments will be metered.

Landscape Provide description and water source for landscape irrigation. Show irrigation source on
Irrigation relevant floor/roof/site plan drawing or landscape plan if submitted
Example initiatives include:
 Gardens irrigation fed from rainwater tank
 Low water use plant selection creating water efficient landscaping
 Highly water efficient irrigation system installed (drip irrigation with timers
and rain sensors)

Other Example initiatives:

 Using tank water for pool top-up (if installing a swimming pool)
 Locating hot water service close to the point of use (reducing heat loss
through pipes)
 Locating water use areas adjacent to each other (e.g. bathrooms, laundries,
kitchen)
 Using alternative water sources for irrigation, e.g. grey water for plants

Documenting initiatives (e.g. include on plans):

 Rainwater tank size and location marked on plans (if applicable).
 In notes box – star rating of fixtures and equipment
 Landscape plans detailing low water use plant selection

More information can be found in the Water Efficiency fact sheet >

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Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA)
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4. Stormwater Management
Purpose:
 Reducing runoff from hard and impervious surfaces to improve the quality of waterways
 Maximising the re-use of stormwater onsite
 Demonstrate compliance with Urban Stormwater Management Best Practice Standards for Water
Quality

Issues Design Responses

Site Provide details of permeable and impermeable surfaces within the site area.
permeability Examples include:
 Permeable pavement
 Landscaped/garden areas
 Lawn along centre of driveways

Rainwater Provide details of any water tanks including area of roof run-off, size of tank and
tanks proposed water uses (eg. toilet flushing, garden). Indicate rain water tank’s location and
size on plans (if applicable).
Examples include:
 Centralised underground tank
 Tank for each dwelling connected to toilets and laundry

Porous Provide details of any porous paving including land area and type. Indicate details on
paving plans (if applicable).

Rain gardens Provide details of any rain gardens or swales including size of feature and area of run-off.
or swales Indicate rain garden or swale location and size on plans (if applicable).

Other Demonstrate compliance with best practice standards.

Documenting initiatives (e.g. include on plans):

 STORM report (minimum 100% score) or MUSIC modelling
 Indicate rain water tank’s location and size on plans (if applicable).
 Mark permeable paving on plans
 Mark any WSUD (e.g. Rain gardens and swales) elements on plans.

More information can be found in the Stormwater Management fact sheet >

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Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA)
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5. Building Materials
Objectives:
 To minimise the environmental impact of materials used by encouraging the use of materials with a
favourable lifecycle assessment. Taking into consideration the recycling/reuse potential of materials,
embodied energy, and environmental toxicity for humans and biodiversity.
 Reusing existing materials where possible, limiting the use of new materials where possible, reducing
the associated emissions from manufacture additional products and materials.
 Selecting durable materials to ensure longevity and increased lifespan of all products.

Issues Design Responses

Retention of Provide a description of the intended re-use of existing structures and /or materials within
existing the proposed design. Show on relevant floor/site/demolition plans and
structure and elevations/sections.
materials

Reusability Provide a description of intended materials to be used that have already been recycled
and and/or their potential to be recycled and or disassembled once they have finished their
recyclability purpose for this design. Show on relevant floor/site/demolition plans and
of materials elevations/sections.

Embodied Provide a description of intended materials to be used that have sustainable production
Energy processes (including low embodied energy etc)
Example initiative:
 Inclusion of supplementary materials in concrete mix (e.g. flyash, slag)

Sustainable Provide a description of intended sustainable timber use and list their independent
Timber sources of verification (eg. forest stewardship council accredited).
Example initiative:
 All timber will be from accredited plantations - either FSC or PEFC/AFS.

Other

Documenting initiatives (e.g. include on plans):

 Mark any existing structures being retained on plans.
 Note any supplementary materials, accreditation schemes and recycling of materials in notes box on
plans

More information can be found in the Building Materials fact sheet >

6. Transport
Objectives:

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Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA)
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 To ensure that the built environment is designed to promote the use of walking, cycling and public
transport (in that order).
 To minimise car dependency
 To promote the use of low emission vehicle technologies and supporting infrastructure

Issues Design Responses

Minimising the Provide a description of any parking dispensation being sought and provide details
Provision of Car for consideration.
Parks for Example initiatives:
Conventional  Including dedicated motorcycle spaces
Vehicles  Including dedicated EV charging spaces

Providing Bike Provide the total number of bike storage facilities and ratio to the total number of
Storage building users and guests. Show on relevant floor/site plans
Example initiatives:
 Bike storage, not above bonnet, for each dwelling
 Secure bike storage for non-residential developments

End of trip Provide a description of how the design provides end of trip change facilities for bike
facilities users and ratio to the total number of on-site bicycle storage spaces
Example initiatives:
 End of ride facilities including lockers and showers, sized to staff ratio

Car Sharing Provide a description of any on or off-site car share service and show on relevant site
plans

Other Examples include:

 Infrastructure (Junction box/ Power Point) in the garage to accommodate
infrastructure for charging electric vehicles in future.
 Walkscore for residential development
 Green travel plan, outlining active transport routes for development

Documenting initiatives (e.g. include on plans):

 Mark any specialised parking spaces on plans
 Mark bike storage on plans
 Mark end of ride facilities on plans
 Mark EV charging infrastructure on plans
More information can be found in the Transport fact sheet >

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Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA)
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7. Waste Management
Objectives:
 To ensure waste avoidance, reuse and recycling during the design, construction, and operation
stages of development
 To ensure long term reusability and durability of building materials.
 To ensure sufficient space is allocated for future change in waste management needs, including
(where possible) composting and green waste facilities.
 For multi-unit developments (MUD), complying with the Sustainability Victoria Better Practice Guide
Waste Management and Recycling in Multi-unit Developments

Issues Design Responses

Storage Provide details of separation of waste streams including recycling, green waste and food
Spaces for waste. Indicate space allocation for waste streams on plans.
Recycling
and Green
Waste

Construction Provide description of how construction waste will be managed through the construction
Waste process including material sorting, disposal and targeted recycling rates
Management Example initiative:
Plan (WMP)  80% demolished materials will be recycled or repurposed.

Operation Provide description of how operational waste will be managed through the occupied life
Waste of the building.
Management Example initiative:
Plan  Provision of source separation bins internally to sort waste onsite

Others

Documenting initiatives (e.g. include on plans):

 Include in notes any operational waste processes
 Note bin space on plans
 Include in notes construction waste recycling/reuse targets

More information can be found in the Waste Management fact sheet >

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Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA)
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8. Urban Ecology
Objectives:
 to protect and enhance biodiversity
 to provide sustainable landscaping and encourage planting of indigenous vegetation
 to protect and manage all remnant indigenous plant communities

Issues Design Responses

Landscaped Provide a description of all new, existing retained and existing demolished landscaped
areas to be areas and indicate how the design has enhanced the sites biodiversity. Show on relevant
designated site/floor/landscape plans.
Example initiatives:
 Food production space marked on plans
 High % of site vegetated

Native Provide a description of how the design has retained native vegetation and allowed for
vegetation drought tolerant native vegetation. Show on relevant site/floor/landscape plans.
Example initiatives:
 Drought tolerant species selected for landscaped areas
 Low water use plant selection creating water efficient landscaping

Season heat Provide a description of how the design has used vegetation to control seasonal heat
control gain or glare and ventilation. Show on relevant site/floor/landscape plans.
Example initiatives:
 Green wall or façade included in development
 Green Roof included in development

Others Encouraging growing vegetation in private open space (balcony/courtyard)

Example initiative:
 Inclusion of tap and floor drain for balconies/courtyards

Documenting initiatives (e.g. include on plans):

 show landscape areas on plans or include landscape plan
 site and/or floor plans show water supply and drainage points
 Mark any green walls, façade, or roof areas on plans

More information can be found in the Urban Ecology fact sheet >

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9. Innovation
Objective:
 to encourage innovative technology, design and processes in all development, which positively
influence the sustainability of buildings.

Issues Design Responses

Significant Provide a description of how design exceeds best practice standards in one or more of
Enhancement the other 9 categories.
to the
Environmental
Performance

Innovative Provide a description of how the design has helped implement innovative social
Social improvements (eg. shared composting and communal garden areas).
Improvements

New Provide a description of how the design implements unique/new methods and strategies
Technology to enhance design outcomes.

New Design Provide a description of how the design implements an innovative new design approach.
Approach

Others

Documenting initiatives (e.g. include on plans):

 Include any innovation initiatives in notes box and mark on plans accordingly

More information can be found in the Innovation fact sheet >

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10. Construction and Building Management

Objective:
 To encourage a holistic and integrated design and construction process and ongoing high
performance
 Committing early to environmental targets and initiatives

Issues Design Responses

Building Provide a description of how the designs building systems are managed to ensure
Tuning optimal efficiency (where fitted).
Example initiative:
 Building Management System controlling HVAC, lighting, renewable energy
systems etc.

Building Provide a description of intent to provide building occupants with a user’s guide that
Users’ Guide explains the ESD principles of the building.

Environmental Provide a description of any environmental credentials that the project team may have
credentials of (i.e. Contractor has valid ISO14001 environmental management accreditation, Green
project team Star Accredited Professional, Certified Green Plumber etc.
Example initiative:
 ESD professional engaged for pre-application meeting

Environmental Provide a description of any Environmental Management Plans that intend to be

Management implemented during operation phase.
Plan;
Construction
and Operation

Other Providing thermal modelling to inform use of passive design at the early design stage
Example initiatives:
 Thermal Performance Modelling for thermally unique dwellings/buildings

Documenting initiatives (e.g. include on plans):

 Include in notes box any building management initiatives
 Thermal Performance Modelling, e.g. NatHERS for dwellings

More information can be found in the Construction and Building Management fact sheet >

PLEASE NOTE: the example initiatives included in this template are not
exhaustive and applicants are encouraged to use appropriate sustainable
design tools, such as BESS, to investigate additional strategies they can use in
their development.

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