What is a BESS certificate? The Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS) is a tool that is used to create Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA) reports or Sustainability Management Plans (SMP) for development projects in Victoria. BESS is fast becoming the Victorian equivalent of BASIX in New South Wales as more local councils begin to require ESD assessments at the planning permit stage of the development cycle. BESS has been seen by many as a bottom up approach to managing ESD principles in design and development as the push for sustainability has come from the local councils in contrast to the State government, like NSW which has legislation enforcing the scheme. Recently BESS has replaced two previous tools that supported the Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP) in the past 10 years. Those being:STEPS: originally developed by Moreland City Council to assess residential buildingsSustainable Design Scorecard (SDS): originally developed by the City of Port Phillip to assess non-residential buildings.
STORM AssessmentWhat is it used for? STORM can be used to assess whether best practice water quality objectives have been achieved for your site. Results of STORM assessments can be submitted to statutory authorities along with development applications to demonstrate compliance with objectives.
Achievement of a 100% STORM rating means you have achieved a 45% reduction in the typical annual load of total nitrogen and achieved best practice objectives.To improve your STORM rating you need to provide treatment for impervious surfaces that currently have no treatment or increase the size of existing treatments.
SDA (Sustainable Design Assessment)
6 Star House will provide you with a SDA or SMP (Sustainable Management Plan) along with the BESS and STORM reports. This comprehensive report will provide additional information for your developments sustainability index.
What is a Sustainable Design Assessment (SDA)?
A SDA addresses 10 Key Sustainable Building Categories .The SDA is designed to provide guidance on where opportunities exist to improve the environmental performance of the building and outlines objectives, ESD issues and references for all 10 Key Sustainable Building Categories.For best results, it is preferable the architectural drawings reflect all relevant ESD matters where feasible. As an example, window attributes, sun shading and materials should be noted on elevations and finishes schedules, water tanks and renewable energy devices shown on plans. It might also be useful to indicate water catchment areas and a site’s permeability to confirm water re-use calculations
About BESSThe Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS) assesses energy and water efficiency, thermal comfort, and overall environmental sustainability performance of your new building or alteration. It was created to assist builders and developers to demonstrate that they meet sustainability information requirements as part of planning permit applications. BESS can also be used by any member of the community to assess the design of their home and find ways to make it more sustainable.
Overarching PrinciplesPurpose-built for the planning permit stageAssess any size or type of development via a single interfaceFacilitates a consistent framework and assessment of sustainability at the planning stageProvides flexibility for the user while delivering sustainability outcomes. Multiple options for demonstrating compliance, include in-built calculators, deemed-to-satisfy approaches and option of alternative complianceLocation-neutral. Does not advantage or disadvantage a development based on location.
GovernanceThe BESS Governance Board is the decision-making body for the direction and management of the tool. The Governance Board is a sub-committee of the CASBE Steering Committee.
The BESS Governance Board is responsible for the strategic direction of the BESS, including:setting, reviewing and updating sustainability performance objectives. This model will address any future relationships with State and Local planning provisions;resourcing, scheduling and implementing enhancements (upgrades) to the tools; andresourcing and implementing regular ongoing maintenance needs.
Overarching PrinciplesPurpose-built for the planning permit stageAssess any size or type of development via a single interfaceFacilitates a consistent framework and assessment of sustainability at the planning stageProvides flexibility for the user while delivering sustainability outcomes. Multiple options for demonstrating compliance, include in-built calculators, deemed-to-satisfy approaches and option of alternative complianceLocation-neutral. Does not advantage or disadvantage a development based on location.
GovernanceThe BESS Governance Board is the decision-making body for the direction and management of the tool. The Governance Board is a sub-committee of the CASBE Steering Committee.
The BESS Governance Board is responsible for the strategic direction of the BESS, including:setting, reviewing and updating sustainability performance objectives. This model will address any future relationships with State and Local planning provisions;resourcing, scheduling and implementing enhancements (upgrades) to the tools; andresourcing and implementing regular ongoing maintenance needs.