Council has developed a new tool to give effect to Clause 6.11 Environmental Sustainability of the Georges River Local Environmental Plan (GRLEP) 2021.

The tool is called the Environmental Sustainability Calculator (the Calculator) and will apply to development applications (DAs) with a gross floor area (GFA) of 1,500sqm or greater in employment zones (E1 Local Centre, E2 Commercial Centre, E4 General Industrial, and MU1 Mixed Use) and the high density residential (R4) zone. It will apply to the erection of a new building, change of use of an existing building, and alterations or additions to an existing building. However, it will not apply to change of use and internal alterations that do not increase the external building footprint or envelope.

The Calculator is currently in the final stages of its preparation, and we would like to engage with the local development industry to seek feedback prior to its finalisation.

Background

Georges River Council is committed to achieving net zero community emissions by 2050. The LGA will be more rapidly prepared to achieve the net zero community emissions target by 2050 if new developments are:

• Constructed without fossil fuel gas infrastructure,
• Provide the skeleton framework for future EV charging and solar PV installations, and
• Dedicated spaces for better at source waste separation and recycling.

Clause 6.11 of the GRLEP requests large-scale DAs to consider the following principles of environmental sustainability in the design of the buildings:

1. Water efficiency,
2. Energy demand reduction,
3. Minimisation of the urban heat island effect,
4. Indoor environmental quality,
5. Reduction in new material consumption and use of sustainable materials, and
6. Sustainable transport initiatives.

Why has it been developed?

The Calculator addresses the need for a standardised and simplified method to give effect to Clause 6.11. It can be completed without specialised environmental sustainability expertise - anyone involved in the design of the DA can complete the Calculator, including the architect, town planner and engineer.

It will also enable planners and building certifiers (private and Council) to efficiently assess the DA without specialist input, which means no additional delays to the assessment timeframe.

How does it work?

The Calculator is set up in a 'choose your own adventure' format with a passing score system. It contains an extensive and diverse suite of ESD (environmentally sustainable design) mechanisms which are distributed into six (6) categories in response to the principles under Clause 6.11.

Points are assigned to each ESD mechanism within the Calculator. A minimum passing score is prescribed for each category while a generous pool of points is available to provide flexibility and choice for the proponent.

Cumulatively, a total pool of 405 points is available throughout the Calculator while the passing score is currently proposed to be 64 points upon introduction, with a focus on the 3 key areas of gas-free buildings, EV + PV future proofing and better at source waste separation.

What does it look like?

The Calculator will be available to proponents as a web - based form to fill in online, hosted on JotForm. Progress can be saved online and the same entry can be shared with multiple users to complete collaboratively. Council will not be able view to entries which are still in progress. Only submitted entries will become available to Council.

Once an entry is submitted, a copy of the completed Calculator will be available for download by the proponent in PDF format. The PDF copy of the completed Calculator must be submitted as part of the DA documentation package on the NSW Planning Portal.

DA documentation like architectural plans need to show the selected ESD mechanisms to ensure environmental sustainability is incorporated into the design, construction and ongoing operation of the development. Prompts for where these are required are built into the Calculator.

The PDF version of the Calculator can be found in the Document Library on this page.

How will it be implemented?

The requirement for the completion of the Calculator has been introduced as a new control within Part 3 General Considerations of the Georges River Development Control Plan (GRDCP) 2021.

The commencement date for the Calculator is 1 January 2024.

Council's DA Guide will be updated in the coming weeks to include the completion of the Calculator as part of the DA submission requirements for the applicable development types.

How to be involved?

If you are a professional within the local development industry, we would like to hear from you. A lunchtime interactive webinar is being held on Tuesday 29 August 2023 at 12pm - 1pm. Join us to learn more about the Calculator.

Do you need assistance reading and accessing this page?

For a free interpreter call us via the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please contact the National Relay Service:

• Voice Relay number: 1300 555 727
• TTY number: 133 677