Environmentally Sustainable Design Policy

Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) reduces:

  • The environmental cost of the building process.
  • The long-term environmental impact of a building.

Using ESD we can minimise waste, use sustainable materials and achieve energy efficiencies.

ESD benefits include:

  • Social - Improving the interior comfort of buildings, access to transport, and equity of services.
  • Cultural - Greater community connections through the built and natural environments
  • Environmental: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, water use, waste and impact on the local environment.
  • Economic: Positive cost-benefit outcomes over the life of the asset, offsetting any increase in upfront costs.

The Shire manages over 600 buildings as well as 713km of footpaths and 3,637km of roads. Other Shire assets include drainage, lighting, playgrounds, ovals and many others. The ESD Policy looks to ensure a more sustainable approach to these buildings and assets.

This Policy, and its ongoing implementation supports the Shire’s work on Carbon Neutrality and the Climate Emergency.