Amendment C137maro - Introducing an Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) Local Planning Pol

Council is committed to creating an environmentally sustainable city. A critical component in achieving this is ensuring that the construction and use of buildings across the city meets high environmental standards.

There is currently no statewide policy on Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD). In the absence of such a policy, Council proposes to introduce an ESD policy into the Maroondah Planning Scheme via  

Amendment C137maro is currently on public exhibition for anyone wishing to inspect or make a submission. The closing date for submissions is Friday 22 February 2021.

Mayor of Maroondah Cr Kylie Spears said an amendment to the Maroondah Planning Scheme is required to strengthen Council’s ability to consider environmentally sustainable design measures when assessing a wide range of residential, commercial and industrial planning permit applications.

“Amendment C137maro supports Council’s commitment to achieve a clean, green and sustainable community and provide leadership in responding to climate change. The introduction of an ESD Policy will address a gap in the local planning policy framework to ensure that environmental performance is considered in the assessment of development proposals,” Cr Spears said.

The policy will also assist in providing certainty to applicants on application requirements for medium to large-scale developments and is aimed at achieving best practice for sustainable development.

“Buildings can have a lifespan of over 50 years and commonly have a significant environmental impact on things such as biodiversity, amenity and the quality and quantity of stormwater that enters our waterways. They are substantial users of energy and water and are big generators of waste sent to landfill,” Cr Spears said.

“Incorporating the basic principles of ESD policy into the Maroondah Planning Scheme will result in buildings which are cleaner, safer and cheaper to run,” she said.

“ESD aims to ensure that developments meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs by adhering to appropriate environmental design standards,” Cr Spears added.

You may inspect the Amendment, along with supporting documents and explanatory report on Council's Your Say Maroondah website or via the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning website

Should you wish to make a submission in relation to Amendment C137maro, the closing date for submissions is Monday 22 February 2021.

Written submissions can be made online by completing a submission form, sent via mail or email. All written submissions must include information as to why you support or do not support Amendment C137maro.

For a submission form, or to learn more about lodging a submission, visit Amendment C137maro - Introducing an Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) Local Planning Policy via

For further information, please contact Council’s Strategic Planning team on 1300 88 22 33 or 9298 4598.