The City of Sydney is committed to sustainable development and ambitious reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and waste, improving air and water quality and greening our city. Our policies and planning controls are informed by the targets in Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050 Continuing the Vision. 

A precondition to receiving development consent is the demonstration of design excellence incorporating the principles of ecologically sustainable development (ESD).  
This form standardises how applicants demonstrate compliance with relevant planning controls. It ensures design and technology responses for environmental performance that the applicant proposes are reflected in the submitted plans where appropriate. 

It replaces the need for an ecologically sustainable development report, generic energy efficiency report, or consultant's BASIX report. The information you provide here will form part of any development consent granted. 

You will still need to submit any other supporting documentation required under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Sustainable Buildings) 2022 (SB SEPP), Sydney Development Control Plan 2012 (SDCP) and associated codes and policies, such as stormwater/hydraulic plans, landscape plans, NCC Section J Reports, BASIX and NatHERS documentation. 

If you have any questions regarding this form, please contact James Cleary on 9246 7351 

 

Notes on completing this form 

You will need advanced plans to complete the form 

Many of the design elements referenced within the form need to be illustrated on the accompanying architect's drawings, civil engineering drawings, or landscape plans. 

The form does not prevent applicants from submitting supporting environmental design documentation if you are proposing novel or innovative design or technology. 

Topics covered in this form 

The form contains questions on familiar environmental design themes. These cover energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions abatement, design for building envelope thermal performance, renewable energy opportunity, design for resilience to climate change, water conservation, stormwater quality, sustainable transport, circular economy, embodied emissions, waste avoidance and resource recovery, and city greening. 

Where applicable, the questions direct you to sections of the City of Sydney's planning policies. 

• GFA - Gross Floor Area. Refer to definition under Standard Instrument  
• GLAR - Gross Lettable Area - Retail 
• NCC - National Construction Code 
• NLA - Net Lettable Area 
• SB SEPP - State Environmental Planning Policy (Sustainable Buildings) 2022 
• SDCP - Sydney Development Control Plan 2012 

For the following question select all that apply (these options relate to NSW Dept of Planning, Industry and Environment typologies)

For the following question, you must consider any pre-existing site-specific controls, conditions of consent or voluntary planning agreement that impose certain sustainability-related targets or technologies such as: - BASIX scores - NABERS ratings - renewable energy generation - canopy cover - non-potable water service

BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index) is a mandatory state government policy and tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption in residential development in NSW.

For further information, please visit https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/basix

The targets for both energy and water efficiency may differ depending on the scale of residential development you are undertaking. Please note that site-specific controls or voluntary planning agreements may reference specific BASIX energy or water efficiency scores to be achieved.

There are up to 2 questions in this section.

City of Sydney adopted targets for the LGA:

• 70% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, from 2006 levels
• Net zero emissions by 2035

This section interrogates, at a high level, design and technology aspects of the proposal that relate directly to energy end use, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. This section also asks about energy-related scores/targets where these apply due to:

• a legislative requirement
• commitments made under a planning proposal/design excellence strategy/concept approval
• applicant's commitment to third-party certification (e.g. Green Star)

Sections 3.6.1 of SDCP and 8.2.1 of Green Square Town Centre DCP mandate building energy standards within the City of Sydney for commercial offices, retail, hotel and motel development. Schedule 3 of SB SEPP is also in place for serviced apartments within the City of Sydney. When responding to questions in this section, applications should ensure they comply with prescribed energy standards.

Please include any NABERS targets agreed under a site specific DCP, concept approval or voluntary planning agreement.

Only nominate a NABERS Energy rating where the proponent has made a clear commitment to formally register via a NABERS Commitment Agreement. Consultants acting for applicants should ensure their client is aware of NABERS Commitment Agreement requirements and processes.

There are up to 9 questions in this section.

For the following question, please include, where relevant: Lighting wattage per square metre approximate percentages of different lighting technologies. For example, "x% of total fixed downlighting will be LED" cross reference to NCC Section J Report references to sections 3.2.8, 3.6.1 and 3.16.4 of Sydney Development Control Plan or 6.10.6 and 7.4 of Green Square Town Centre Development Control Plan For residential, where relevant, summarise BASIX lighting commitments, plus additional note(s) if applicable (e.g. proposed outdoor lighting technologies)

For the following question, please include, where relevant: Coefficient of Performance (CoP) or appliance star ratings reference to NCC Section J Report water conservation measures if evaporative cooling / cooling tower(s) proposed reference to supporting documentation if novel/innovative solutions are proposedreference to section 4.2.7 of the SDCP 2012 For mixed use developments, briefly describe different systems where these vary across different parts of building(s) For residential, summarise BASIX HVAC commitments. For example, "all dwellings, individual A/C units, Heating: CoP 4, Cooling: CoP 3.5

For the following question, please include, where relevant: Fuel and technology types e.g. heat pump/centralised gas storage/solar - electric boost Coefficient of Performance (CoP) and/or star ratings Cross references to NCC Section J Report Separate domestic hot water systems from any pool / spa water heating technology. If a pool or spa is proposed, please cite all energy conservation measures in the design, such as covers/timer controls Separate supporting documentation for any novel technologies For residential development, summarise BASIX water heating commitments with star ratings / CoP.

All sets of architectural plans and elevations for BASIX affected development (not just the NatHERS Stamped plans) must include the insulation and glazing performance details used in the NatHERS modelling.

For all other development, the following questions are about specific design features and inclusions to meet/exceed "NCC Section J - Energy Efficiency"

This form does not override any requirement to submit an NCC Section J Statement/Report as evidence that NCC compliance is achievable.

Both NatHERS and BASIX protocols require accredited assessors to ensure plans are marked up with thermal performance elements by the designer (architect) with insulation detail (type and R-Value) and glazing/frame schedules (including U-Value and SHGC for glass/frame combinations) before plans are stamped as compliant by a NatHERS assessor.

See

• https://www.nathers.gov.au/publications/nathers-technical-note
• https://basix.nsw.gov.au/iframe/thermal-help/simulation-method.html

You should check compliance with these rules by viewing 'clean skin' plans (plans not stamped by NatHERS Assessor) for insulation and glazing schedule annotations.

Where insulation and glazing thermal design differs for individual apartments this should be shown in a schedule within the plan set itemising variations against the affected dwelling unit number.

There are up to 3 questions in this section.

 

For the following question, please summarise, with cross reference to any NCC Section J report where relevant, design responses relating to: Facade and glazing orientation Existing adjacent structures influencing solar exposure Effective shading for solar-exposed glazing High performance glazing Facade materials/colours - re: heat retention/reflection Window-to-wall ratios Insulation material for walls/ceilings/roof & between basement level with occupied floors directly above Insulation materials selections that are able to be correctly installed, without compromising performance, within the structural wall, ceiling, roof and floor elements Location of thermal mass Use of thermal stacking and cross-ventilation Where applicable, please cross reference to any NCC Section J Compliance Template (A Better Building Partnership initiative) To improve NCC Section J governance and compliance standards The Better Building Partnership initiative has developed a specific Section J Reporting Requirements Template for when the JV3 Verification Using a Reference Building (VURB) is used. For a copy of this NCC Section J Template visit: https://www.betterbuildingspartnership.com.au/resource/ncc-section-j-compliance-checklist/

This section asks whether onsite renewable energy generation and/or storage is proposed. The renewable energy and carbon emissions targets for the City of Sydney are:

• 50% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030
• Net zero emissions by 2035

There are 2 questions in this section.

This section seeks information about any planning/design elements made explicitly in response to well established physical impacts of climate change that are being or will be experienced in the City of Sydney.

The CSIRO now hosts a set of new weather data files suitable for use by building simulators to model commercial building energy consumption.

The known physical impacts of climate change in the City of Sydney area are:

• more frequent extreme heat days (days of 35 degrees C or higher)
• more frequent heatwave conditions (3 or more days of unusually high maximum and minumum temperatures)
• extended drought periods
• more extreme (heavier) rainfall events and stronger wind gusts (more severe storm activity)
• sea level rise with risk of inundation especially when combined with storm surge conditions

Some examples of design responses that proponents should consider:

• locating plant away from flood prone underground areas
• selecting adhesives/fillers/sealants designed to cope with extreme heat events
• oversizing gutters/down pipes to cope with extreme rainfall
• exceeding minimum insulation shading and/or glazing requirements to prevent heat gain within buildings
• attention to overland flow paths for excess surface water
• drought-tolerant landscaping
• addressing risk of inundation of basements due to sea level rise
• contingency for power-outages during extended heatwave periods 

There are 2 questions in this section. These relate, where applicable,  to your climate change action plan, strategy or resilience plan.

This section seeks information about any specific planning/design elements included to achieve mains potable water savings.

For context, the City of Sydney water targets for the local government area:

• Reduce residential potable water use to 170 litres per person per day by 2030 
• 10% reduction in non-residential potable water use per sqm by 2030, from 2019 baseline 

Sections 3.6.2 of SDCP and 8.5.1 of Green Square Town Centre DCP refer to water efficiency measures. This form does not replace the need to submit hydraulic plans/documentation where applicable. 

All items identified below must be annotated on the architectural plans and/or accompanying documentation. Architectural plans should also include annotation/plan marking for: 

• onsite water storage capacity 
• any basement infrastructure/space required to receive/buffer off-site supply of non-potable water to the site if a precinct non-potable supply is accessible 
• dual plumbing within buildings  

There are 2 questions in this section. 

For the following question, please indicate the rainwater and/or stormwater storage capacity (retention only, excluding detention volumes) in the application Please indicate, where relevant: On which plan sheets / in which plan sets rain/stormwater retention infrastructure is shown. The storage capacity and end uses. Please identify these systems on the architectural plans. If no on site retention or re-use is included in design state "NONE"

This section seeks high level information regarding design and technology responses to the city's stormwater quality targets, including water sensitive urban design (WSUD) responses. 

Please refer to Section 3.7 of SDCP or 3.4.3 of Green Square Town Centre DCP 
All applications connecting to the City of Sydney’s stormwater system must submit plans through MUSIC Link - https://ewater.org.au/products/music/music-link/ or a STORM report. 

For context, the City of Sydney area-wide targets to reduce pollution loads in stormwater are:

• 50% reduction in the annual solid pollution load discharged to waterways via stormwater by 2030  
• 15% reduction in the annual nutrient load discharged to waterways via stormwater by 2030 

This form does not replace the need for comprehensive stormwater modelling, stormwater management plans and hydraulic plans where required. 

All items identified below must be annotated on the relevant architectural plans, landscape plans, hydraulic plans and/or referenced in accompanying documentation. 

There are 2 questions in this section. 

Which of the following stormwater quality compliance targets / design elements / technologies, if any, are proposed for this development? 

This section seeks information about tree management, deep soil zones and green walls/roofs. The relevant sections of the SDCP 2012 are identified in the questions below. Please refer to the City of Sydney Landscape Code (2016). 

For context, the City of Sydney is seeking to increase overall green cover to 40% across the local area, including 27% tree canopy by 2050. 

You will need access to landscape plans and/or arborist's report to hand to complete the questions below. Please see the glossary under SDCP 2012 for the definition of deep soil. 

Applications subject to State Environmental Planning Policy 65 – Design Quality for Residential Apartment Development (SEPP 65) and located outside of Central Sydney and Green Square Town Centre are to consider: 

• Section 4.2.3.6 of the SDCP 2012
• Objective 3E-1 of the Apartment Design Guide.

Please select 'N/A' where your application does not propose this type of development or the development is not subject to any of the controls listed.

If you select 'No' to any of the options regarding deep soil, please provide justification within the Statement of Environmental Effects.

Evidence of compliance with tree canopy cover must be illustrated on the landscape plans.

A 'green roof' occupies a minimum of 30% of the roof area of the buildings. For guidance on the design and maintenance of green roofs and walls see cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/environmental-support-funding/green-roofs-and-walls

There are 9 questions in this section.

This section asks how the development promotes active transport through the provision of bike parking and end of trip facilities. The section also interrogates on site design responses to greenhouse gas reductions through on-site car share service(s) and electric vehicle charging facilities.

For context, the City of Sydney area-wide targets for transport by 2050 are that people will use public transport, walk or cycle to travel to and from work.

This includes: 

• 9 out of 10 people working in the city centre 
• 2 out of 3 people working in the rest of the local area 

For bike parking rates and requirements for end of trip facilities see Section 3.11 of SDCP or Section 10.3 of Green Square Town Centre DCP. 

All items must be illustrated within the plans. Any non-compliance must be discussed within the Statement of Environmental Effects.

There is 1 question in this section.

This section seeks information about any specific planning/design elements included to reduce environmental impacts from materials choices associated with the development. 

The City of Sydney is serious about tackling climate change. Carbon emissions associated with the lifecycle of a building can be reduced through design and material choices. 

For guidance on embodied emissions reporting under the SB SEPP, please refer to https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-09/embodied-emissions-technical-note.pdf  

The NSW governments Circular design guidelines for the built environment can be found at: https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-02/NZP_Circular_Design_Guide_2023_0.pdf

There are 3 questions in this section. 

For context, City of Sydney area-wide targets relating to waste management are:

• 90% diversion from landfill of residential waste, with 35% as source-separated recycling by 2030 
• 90% diversion from landfill of commercial and industrial waste by 2030 
• 90% diversion from landfill of construction and demolition waste by 2030 
• 15% reduction in residential waste generation per capita by 2030, from a 2015 baseline. 

Development must comply with Sections 3.11, 3.14 and 4.2.6 of the SDCP 2012 or 8.4 of the Green Square Town Centre DCP and the City of Sydney’s guidelines for waste management in new developments (cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/development-guidelines-policies/guidelines-waste-management-new- developments).

Every application must be accompanied by a waste management plan. For all residential, non-residential and mixed use developments with a construction value greater than $5 million, an operational waste management plan is to be prepared by a suitably qualified waste consultant experienced in the appropriate management of waste and recycling generated by new or upgraded developments.  

These questions also ask if there are any waste or resource recovery innovations within the development and if any third-party environmental certification of construction and resource management is proposed. 

Waste storage areas, infrastructure, loading areas and circulation spaces in accordance with City of Sydney requirements are to be provided and marked on the architectural drawings. 

There are 2 questions in this section.

This section seeks information about any third-party certification (other than NABERS Energy - addressed in Section 4) that is applicable to this development proposal. 

Third party certification and unique innovations described below will not be conditioned in development consents unless referenced in site specific DCP, in concept approvals, or other planning controls. 

There are 2 questions in this section

For the following question, describe concisely any specific design, construction or technology innovations included in this development proposal State clearly whether any innovations are design, construction method or technology innovations State whether these innovation elements are indicated on architectural or other plans submitted with the development application Make reference to any additional documentation (design details, specifications) that have been submitted in relation to the innovation(s). If no innovations feature in this development proposal state "NONE"

A PDF version will be sent to the email address you provided in Section 2 after submitting this form online. 

If you are not the development applicant, you should provide the PDF version to your client, or your client’s planning consultant responsible for collating all documentation for the development application. 

The applicant must submit an electronic version of this form as part of the development application if the development type requires you to do so. 

The data helps the City of Sydney report progress in design for urban sustainability. If you have any feedback about this form or the submission process, please add your comments below. 

Privacy protection notice

Purpose of collection: This information is being collected for the purpose of assessment of a development application.

Intended recipients: City of Sydney employees.

Supply: The supply of this information is voluntary. If you are unwilling to provide this information, the City of Sydney may be unable to assessment of your application.

Access/Correction: Please contact Customer Service on 02 9265 9333 or at council@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au to access or correct your personal information.

Storage: The planning unit City of Sydney, located at 456 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000, is collecting this information and the City of Sydney will store it securely. Responses are collected on a third-party service called JotForm (terms of service, privacy statement) information is also stored securely on the City’s Record Management System TRIM.

Other uses: The City of Sydney will use your personal information for the purpose for which it was collected and may use it as is necessary for the exercise of other functions. 

For further details on how the City of Sydney manages personal information, please refer to our Privacy Management Plan (https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/policies/privacy-management-plan).