Glen Eira Council has sought authorisation from the State Planning Minister to exhibit a Planning Scheme Amendment that proposes changes to the Glen Eira Planning Scheme to require sustainable new commercial and multi-residential developments.

Under the proposed elevated Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) targets, new developments would need to:

• ensure zero carbon emissions from energy use, by sourcing all their energy through renewable electricity, with no connection to gas
• reduce carbon emissions from building materials
• provide electric vehicle infrastructure and increase bicycle parking
• reduce water use and improve stormwater management
• provide more landscaping and retention of biodiversity
• improve resilience of buildings and reduce urban heat
• create healthy indoor environments
• deliver infrastructure for waste, recycling and organic waste.

Glen Eira City Council has collaborated with the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment, in partnership with a group of 31 Councils across Victoria to develop these proposed planning controls.

“We will continue to work with CASBE and other councils to advocate that the Minister for Planning authorise the Planning Scheme Amendments, which would allow the statutory process, including public exhibition to begin,” said a Council representative.

Glen Eira Mayor, Cr Jim Magee said that these changes are a key part of the local climate emergency response and work towards achieving net zero carbon emissions across our entire community by 2030.

“Electricity and gas usage in residential and commercial buildings make up around 78 per cent of carbon emissions in Glen Eira, so getting off gas and switching to 100 per cent renewables are top priorities,” he said.

“New buildings have an important role to play in ensuring that our City is sustainable and ready for the climate change-impacted world we will live in.”

“These higher standards will not only reduce the environmental impact from buildings but will ensure our residents are living in thermally comfortable, healthy homes that have lower energy bills.”