Achieving Zero Carbon in the Planning Scheme

In 2018, Moreland City Council resolved to pursue initiatives to develop and incorporate zero carbon standards within the Moreland Planning Scheme with a focus on:

• Providing necessary electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure for charging future EV’s.
• Mandating that new roof spaces of buildings either maximise on-site roof solar photovoltaics (PV) or installation of a green roof.
• Requiring consideration of future waste streams, including all new development to consider landfill waste, comingled recycling and food organics/green organics (FOGO).

Elevating ESD Targets Planning Policy Amendment Project

Through Moreland’s leadership, Victorian councils are collaborating to pursue a joint planning scheme amendment project.  The Project aims to elevate the Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) targets for new development to support a zero carbon planning scheme.

An Elevating ESD Targets Working Group has also been established with the Council Alliance for Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE), Melbourne and Yarra Councils to share and collaborate on zero carbon planning. For more information go to: https://www.casbe.org.au/elevating-esd-targets/

Solar PV and Electric Vehicle Technical Studies

We have undertaken technical studies that direct new development to include solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and electric vehicle (EV) readiness through the promotion of relevant metrics and implementation criteria. The technical studies can be downloaded below.

The technical studies investigated applying a solar PV metric and EV readiness uptake to townhouse, apartment and industrial buildings, where applicable. Several case studies were explored including an economic impact analysis.

Moreland Zero Carbon Development Guidelines

In support of the metrics established from the solar PV and EV readiness projects, a series of Moreland Zero Carbon Development Guidelines are being prepared to assist the development community with implementation and communicating Council’s zero carbon development expectations.

Additional Guidelines are also being developed for new development to incorporate Green Infrastructure, as well as, Waste and Circular Economy design features and considerations.  This includes supporting the uptake of the Green Factor Tool, as well as, improved recycling, resource recovery and waste handling practices in line with State government recycling reforms.