title: Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) Policy council: ballarat state: vic category: constraint status: active last_compiled: 2026-04-13 source_docs:
- environmentally-sustainable-design-policy.txt
- applicant-guide-for-environmentally-sustainable-development_aug2025.txt
Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) Policy
Adopted by Council on 22 March 2023 (Resolution R28/23). Review date: 22 March 2027. Facilitates Clause 15.01-2S (Building Design) of the Ballarat Planning Scheme.
Application Thresholds
Residential
| Scale | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 2–9 dwellings | Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA) using BESS, STORM |
| 10+ dwellings | SDA + Green Star + MUSIC + Green Travel Plan |
| Accommodation 100–1,500 sqm | SDA using BESS, STORM |
| Accommodation 1,500+ sqm | SDA + Green Star + MUSIC + Green Travel Plan |
Non-Residential
| Scale | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 300–1,500 sqm | SDA using BESS, STORM |
| 1,500+ sqm | SDA + Green Star + MUSIC + Green Travel Plan |
Clause 55 (Two or More Dwellings)
- STORM assessment required
- Minimum 20% permeable surfaces
- Location for rooftop solar
- Preliminary NatHERS assessment
Key Standards
BESS (Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard)
- Minimum overall score: 50%
- Mandatory 50% minimums in: Energy Performance, Integrated Water Management (including 100% STORM stormwater treatment), and IEQ
- 70%+ “Excellence” — now required for new apartments
- Ballarat is a listed Council; tool is free for applicants
NatHERS
- Ballarat is Climate Zone 66
- Class 1 buildings: 7-star NatHERS, maximum 21 MJ/sqm/pa cooling load
- Apartments: 7.5-star average, minimum 6.5-star individual
Green Star
- Minimum 4-Star Green Star required
- Must be Registered to be Certified (not “equivalency”)
STORM / Blue Factor
- Minimum 100% STORM score required
- STORM tool to be replaced with the Blue Factor tool
Amendment VC267 Note
Gazetted 6 March 2025 — certain residential developments subject to Clause 55 provisions cannot be assessed under the policy terms.
Current Status
Active. Policy owner: Director Development & Growth.
Relationships
- Facilitates: Clause 15.01-2S of the Ballarat Planning Scheme
- Related: climate-sustainability, biodiversity-strategy
- Related: sustainable-subdivision-framework