Sustainability Outcomes
The Department works with NSW and Commonwealth agencies, local councils, stakeholders and the community to encourage sustainable planning. Below are some of the ways we contribute to sustainable planning outcomes.
Strategic planning policies
The Department has either produced or supported a series of strategic planning policies which will help guide the sustainable growth of our centres, communities and environment. We aim to offer the people of NSW a choice in the way they live and work, focusing on housing options, transport infrastructure, recreational facilities and business opportunities.
- Metropolitan Strategy
- Regional planning and coastal protection
- Integrating land use and transport
- Cities Taskforce project
- Balancing land release with urban renewal
- Raising the standard of building and design
- Planning for active living
Saving water and energy with BASIX
BASIX is a web-based planning tool designed to assess the water and energy efficiency of new residential developments. It has been developed by the Department in association with other government agencies, local government and utilities. On 1 July 2004, the NSW Government introduced BASIX into the development approval system to make sure our homes use less water and energy.
To get a certificate, development applicants must complete an online assessment using the BASIX tool. Details are at www.basix.nsw.gov.au.
See a demonstration of BASIX.
Development assessment
The Department's major projects assessment system (Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Asssessment Act) ensures any key environmental and planning issues are publicly identified and addressed early in the assessment process
Managing electricity demand
The NSW Government's Demand Management and Planning Project (DMPP) has been set up to explore alternatives to traditional 'engineering solutions' to cater for the growing need for electricity in inner Sydney.
Open space funding programs
The Department supports a series of open space funding programs to encourage sustainable communities, through environmental improvements and active living.