An innovative new policy aimed at making select residential developments more sustainable is a step closer after Council voted to advertise the draft for public comment at a meeting last night.
The policy aims to facilitate better environmental outcomes by requiring all applicable residential developments to include specific sustainability measures in the design.
These could include solar or heat pump hot water systems, double or triple glazed windows, a rain water tank, waterwise landscaping, tree retention, or electric vehicle charger.
The draft policy provides a choice of 14 sustainability measures, with each allocated a number of points based on both the sustainability impact and difficulty to achieve. Applicants would need to reach a minimum number of points to satisfy the policy, depending on the type of development proposed.
It would apply to new single homes, grouped dwellings, and significant additions and/or alterations.
Mayor David McMullen said the approach of this policy was a WA first, giving the City an opportunity to be a pioneer in the sustainable development space for the state.
“This draft policy demonstrates that the City is being proactive in our planning to help achieve better design and better environmental outcomes for new developments.
“The beauty of this policy is that it gives applicants flexibility to choose which sustainability measures best suit their lifestyle and budget.”
The draft policy (Draft Local Planning Policy 1.3 - Sustainable Development) will now be advertised for public comment.