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

Draft 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

Draft Council Sustainable Buildings Policy

The draft Sustainable Buildings Policy sets ESD Best Practice as the minimum standard for all new Council buildings. It also provides ESD specific guidelines for all capital work projects.

Council owns over 296 buildings, valued in 2015 at around $333M in which it has management and ownership responsibilities.

To support this, Council has developed the Asset Management Strategy of which a key objective is to achieve efficient management of Council buildings. The plan sets the strategic direction for Council buildings and assigns roles and responsibilities within Council.

Council’s Building and Facilities Asset Management Plan Guiding Principles include that ‘Buildings are to be environmentally efficient and sustainable’.

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 a Sustainable Buildings Policy for design and construction of Council buildings.

2016-18 (In Progress)

Planning & Design + City Improvement
Springvale Civic Centre to be built to minimum 5 star Green Star Design and As Built Standard.

2016-17 (In Progress)

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

Ongoing

City Improvement
Work with South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA) to develop ESD Matrix to facilitate incorporation of sustainability outcomes as part of works on Council buildings.

2017-18 (In Progress)

Planning & Design + City Improvement