Local Planning Policy 1.3: Sustainable Design - Residential

The Local Planning Policy 1.3 Sustainable Design - Residential was adopted by Council at the Ordinary Council Meeting of 27 February 2024. The adopted Policy can be viewed here. 

The City of Nedlands is seeking your comment on the proposed Local Planning Policy 1.3: Sustainable Design - Residential through the survey below. Submissions close on 29 September 2023.

The Policy aims to improve sustainable design for all buildings across the City by introducing the below requirements to all new residential development (excluding additions and alterations to existing buildings):

1.All Development With a Residential Component

To reduce the urban heat island effect, a maximum solar absorptance rating is proposed for all roofs, with metal roofs having a rating of no more than 0.4 or 0.5 depending on whether they are visible from the street. Tiled roofs may have a rating of up to 0.545. For examples of the colours available with these ratings, please refer to these pages: Colorbond or tiles.

2. Single Houses

All new houses are to have:

• Minimum 3kw solar panel system
• All water fittings such as taps, toilets and showers (excluding kitchen sinks and laundries) to be within 1 star of the maximum Water Efficiency Labelling Standard (WELS)

3. Grouped Dwellings

Same as Single Houses above, plus:

• Waterwise landscaping
• Compliance with BCA 2022 provisions for electric vehicle infrastructure now (currently voluntary in WA until 1 May 2024)

4. Mixed Use Development Under Volume 1 of the R-Codes (ie: smaller developments)

• Same as Grouped Dwellings above, plus two more measures of the proponents choice from the table in the policy.
• Development with more than 10 dwellings also includes an additional measure of selected options from the table in the policy.

5. Mixed Use Development Under Volume 2 of the R-Codes (ie: larger, multi-storey apartments and the like)

The City's preference is:

• Development with a cost of $15 million or more to be certified 5-star Green Star.
• Development with a cost of less than $15 million to meet specified items within the table in the policy.

Policy Options

The Policy sets out a number of other options derived from the Green Star Building Code that proponents may choose from. These include items such as pressure testing, ensuring adequate natural ventilation, low VOC floor coverings, water and energy efficiency, and the like.

Please contact the Coordinator Strategic Planning if you have any questions, or submit an enquiry through the City's online portal. Submissions close 29 September 2023.