The construction and operation of our buildings has a significant impact on our natural resources. They consume 32% of the world’s resources, including 12% of the water we consume and the generation of around 40% of all CO2 emissions. Buildings that are sustainably designed, constructed and operated may achieve substantial financial savings and have significant social and environmental benefits, when compared to conventional buildings.

Council has established objectives and targets that will help reduce energy and water consumption, help reduce carbon emissions, and make our households and businesses more sustainable. These measures will also help reduce ongoing operational costs and help increase the health and wellbeing of both residents and workers.

CORPORATE OBJECTIVES

BP - 1.1

ESD – Existing Buildings

BP - 1.2

ESD – New Buildings

TARGET

All New Buildings = ESD Best Practice

BASELINE

Existing Programs

PERFORMANCE

Council Sustainable Buildings Policy

BP - 1.2 ESD – New Buildings

New Council buildings designed, constructed and operated to meet best practice Ecologically Sustainable Design (ESD) standards

TARGET

All New Buildings = ESD Best Practice

BASELINE

Existing Programs

PERFORMANCE

Council Sustainable Buildings Policy

In October 2017, Council formally adopted the Sustainable Buildings Policy.

The Sustainable Buildings Policy has been established by Council to ensure that environmentally sustainable design principles are incorporated into the design, construction, operation, management and disposal of buildings owned and managed by Council.

Council owns over 296 buildings that it directly own and manages, valued at around $333M, as of the end of the 2014/15 financial year.

The Policy ensures that all capital works, including the construction and refurbishment, renewals and disposals, of Council buildings minimises adverse environmental impacts, such as energy use, water use and waste generation, during the construction and operational phases of a building’s life.

Highlights

New Council buildings designed, constructed and operated to meet best practice Ecologically Sustainable Design (ESD) standards

Construction of Greater Dandenong Civic Centre – 5 Star Green Star rated building.

Springvale Civic Centre to be built to minimum 5 star Green Star standard.

Preparation of Draft Sustainable Building Policy that incorporate ESD principles for work on Council buildings.

Current Actions

Develop Specifications Guidance to support implementation of Sustainable Buildings Policy.

In Progress

Planning & Design + City Improvement
Implement the Sustainable Buildings Policy for design and construction of Council buildings.

Ongoing

Planning & Design + City Improvement
Springvale Civic Precinct to be built to meet the 5 Star Green Star Design & As Built Standard.

2016-17 (In Progress)

City Improvement
Monitor and report on the ESD performance of the Dandenong Civic Centre.

Ongoing

City Improvement
Trial the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA) ESD Matrix in support of the implementation of the Sustainable Buildings Policy.

2017-18 (In Progress)

Planning & Design + City Improvement