Council adopts and submits Amendment C137maro for ministerial approval

Council has adopted Amendment C137maro, paving the way for new Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) policy to be introduced into the Maroondah Planning Scheme.

After considering all submissions in relation to Amendment C137maro and there being no objections, Council at its Ordinary meeting on Monday 22 March 2021 resolved to adopt the amendment.

Amendment C137maro will now be submitted to the Minister for Planning for final approval.

Maroondah City Council is part of the fourth round of councils set to introduce an ESD Local Policy into its planning scheme. 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.

There is currently no statewide policy on Environmentally Sustainable Development. In the absence of such a policy, Council proposed to introduce an ESD policy into the Maroondah Planning Scheme via Amendment C137maro - Introducing an Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD).

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

“There is currently limited ability under the Maroondah Planning Scheme to require a planning permit application to consider and implement ESD principles. This is considered a significant gap in the decision-making ability of Council,” Cr Spears said.

“The introduction of an ESD policy into the Maroondah Planning Scheme will provide statutory weight to ensure that a higher percentage of new residential and commercial developments achieve above mandatory standards, by requiring best practice ESD outcomes to be considered early in the planning stages of development, including the redevelopment of existing infrastructure,” she said.

Cr Spears thanked the community for their input during the four-week exhibition period.

“I thank members of the community for sharing their views on Amendment C137maro, which cements for us our commitment to creating an environmentally sustainable city. A critical component in achieving sustainable development is ensuring that the construction and use of buildings across the city meets high environmental standards,” 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 life span 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 added.

“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 said.