A. Liveability Considerations
Applicants are encouraged to submit designs that are environmentally responsible. The orientation of your lot will determine the best siting of the house on the lot. A building’s orientation plays a large part in achieving the
optimum solar access for your home during winter. Lots on the north side of a street will have sunny backyards – good for private outdoor living. Lots on the south side of a street will have sunny front yards – good for show piece gardens. Lots facing east-west will have sunny side yards – these houses should be sited to leave the largest possible outdoor living space along the northern boundary.
Dwellings can become more liveable by considering the orientation of rooms and windows, shading of windows and walls, ceiling heights, sustainable building materials, cross flow ventilation, covered open spaces, insulation, and water efficient fixtures. Eave design can act as excellent shading devices during warmer months. Implementing these features can also result into substantial financial savings for the homeowner. Double storey homes must respect the privacy of neighbouring dwellings, including potential overshadowing issues that may arise as a result of siting choices. It is the responsibility of applicants with double storey proposals to ensure their design has demonstrated these factors and to receive approval from the relevant authority and/or building surveyor prior to construction.
B. Solar Heating Panels
Solar heating panels must be located on roof planes preferably not visible from the public realm. The panels should follow the roof pitch. Where visible from public, solar panels will be assessed on their merits with regard to scale, form and colour.
C. Rainwater Tanks
Rainwater storage is encouraged. The rainwater tank and all accessories must not be located in front of the dwelling or be visible from the street and public spaces. The rainwater tank and all accessories must be coloured to match the dwelling. To help calculate the size of water storage that you may require please contact the Department of Sustainability and Environment for appropriate storage requirements in relation to the collection area provided.
D. Recycled Water
Recycled water will be available for non-drinking purposes such as toilet flushing and garden usage. To reduce the consumption of potable water, residents are required to connect all toilets and two garden taps (front and rear) to the future recycled water system.
E. Energy Ratings
It is the applicants’ responsibility when building a home to comply with Victoria’s energy rating requirements. Dwelling designs should be assessed by a licensed energy rating company, and they in turn will make recommendations regarding insulation and other resource saving measures. Dwellings must achieve the minimum standard as currently legislated.
