New rules for unit planning process

MULTI-UNIT and commercial developments will now have to satisfy an Environmentally Sustainable Development assessment with Geelong’s council adopting a new planning permit process last week.

The local planning policy will help to ensure new developments in the region are more sustainably designed.

It covers seven key areas including energy performance, water resources, indoor environment quality, stormwater management, transport, waste management and urban ecology.

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood said sustainable development within the region was an important priority.

“As a City of Design, we need to be clever and creative in the way our buildings are designed to make sure we achieve maximum environmental performance,” Cr Harwood said.

“The voluntary pilot program was successful in helping developers consider these types of design changes, so we’re pleased to have now made this a formal policy.”

It means more developments in Greater Geelong will achieve above the required building standards for sustainability, from the design stage through to construction and operation.

The seven assessment areas were previously not all considered through the planning process.

A draft of the policy was released for feedback in November and sent to key stakeholder agencies.

The permit trigger for the policy has since been raised from two to three dwellings, with this trigger to be reviewed within two years, and new developments need to include sufficient space for e-waste disposal.

The policy will be sent to the Planning Minister for approval.