ESD Report Service

What Is an ESD Report?

An Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) report, also commonly referred to as a Sustainability Management Plan (SMP), is a document that outlines the environmental sustainability strategies incorporated into a building or development. It assesses the project against a range of sustainability criteria including energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environment quality, stormwater management, transport, waste minimisation, and materials selection.

The report is typically assessed against a recognised sustainability framework such as the Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS), the Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP), or Green Star. It provides a transparent record of the sustainability commitments made at the design stage and serves as a reference point for ensuring those commitments are delivered during construction.

For a broader understanding of the principles behind ESD reporting, see our guide on what Environmentally Sustainable Design means.

Who Needs an ESD Report?

ESD reports are most commonly required as part of the planning permit process in Victoria, where many local councils have adopted sustainability planning policies. These requirements are embedded in local planning schemes and generally apply to:

• Multi-dwelling residential developments — Projects of two or more dwellings, including townhouses, apartments, and dual occupancies.
• Commercial developments — Office buildings, retail premises, and other non-residential buildings, typically above a floor area threshold of 100–500 m² (varies by council).
• Mixed-use developments — Projects combining residential and commercial uses.
• Significant alterations — Major renovations or extensions to existing buildings that trigger a planning permit.

Outside Victoria, similar requirements exist in varying forms. Some NSW councils require sustainability assessments as part of Development Applications, particularly for larger projects. In Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia, ESD reporting may be required under specific planning overlays or as a condition of development approval for significant projects.

Beyond regulatory requirements, many developers choose to prepare ESD reports voluntarily to demonstrate sustainability credentials, attract quality tenants, enhance property values, and contribute to corporate sustainability targets.

Victorian Council Requirements

Many Victorian councils have adopted local planning policies that require ESD reports. Key councils with ESD requirements include the City of Melbourne, Merri-bek (formerly Moreland), City of Yarra, City of Port Phillip, City of Stonnington, City of Darebin, City of Banyule, City of Boroondara, City of Glen Eira, City of Whitehorse, and others. The requirements vary but generally expect:

• A BESS assessment achieving a minimum overall score of 50%
• A minimum of 50% in both the energy and water categories
• A detailed commitments register that can be incorporated as planning permit conditions
• Supporting documentation including energy modelling results and product specifications

Councils may also require additional assessments such as STORM (stormwater management) reports, NatHERS assessments for the thermal performance component, or daylight modelling for apartment developments.

What Does an ESD Report Include?

A comprehensive ESD report prepared by an accredited consultant typically includes the following sections:

1. Project description and context — Site location, building description, climate zone, and key design parameters.
2. BESS scorecard assessment — Detailed scoring across all nine BESS categories (energy, water, stormwater, IEQ, transport, waste, urban ecology, innovation, and management) with commentary on the strategies that contribute to each score.
3. Energy performance analysis — Summary of energy efficiency strategies including building envelope performance, HVAC systems, lighting, and renewable energy provisions. This may reference a separate NatHERS or Section J assessment.
4. Water efficiency analysis — Assessment of water-efficient fixtures, rainwater harvesting, landscape irrigation, and any greywater or blackwater recycling systems.
5. Commitments register — A detailed list of specific sustainability commitments that the applicant agrees to implement, formatted for incorporation as planning permit conditions.
6. Supporting documentation — Relevant calculations, product specifications, marked-up architectural drawings, and any additional modelling results.

ESD Report Costs

The cost of an ESD report varies based on project scale and complexity:

• Small residential (2–5 dwellings): $2,000–$3,000
• Medium residential (6–20 dwellings): $3,000–$5,000
• Large residential (20+ dwellings): $4,000–$8,000
• Small commercial: $2,500–$5,000
• Large commercial or mixed-use: $5,000–$15,000+

These costs typically include the BESS assessment, the written report, and liaison with the council planning department. Additional energy modelling (NatHERS, Section J, or JV3 assessments) may be quoted separately or bundled depending on the consultant and project requirements.

The ESD Report Process

When you request a quote through ESD Consultants, we connect you with an accredited ESD consultant experienced with your local council's requirements. The typical process is:

1. Initial review — The consultant reviews your architectural plans, project documentation, and council requirements to confirm scope and provide a detailed quote.
2. Design advice — If your design does not yet meet the required BESS benchmarks, the consultant provides specific recommendations for cost-effective improvements. Early engagement allows these changes to be incorporated before plans are finalised.
3. BESS assessment — The consultant completes the BESS scorecard, scoring each sustainability category based on the design documentation.
4. Report preparation — The full ESD report is prepared, including the BESS scorecard, category-by-category analysis, and commitments register.
5. Submission support — The consultant can respond to any council Requests for Further Information (RFI) related to the ESD report and support the planning permit process through to approval.

Green Star and Premium ESD Assessment

For projects seeking premium sustainability outcomes beyond standard council requirements, we also connect you with consultants who specialise in Green Star certification. Green Star is Australia's most widely recognised voluntary sustainability rating system, administered by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). A Green Star rating demonstrates leadership in sustainable design and construction, and can enhance tenant attraction, reduce operational costs, and increase asset value for commercial buildings.

Get Connected with an ESD Consultant

Whether you need an ESD report for a Victorian planning application, a sustainability assessment for a commercial development, or expert advice on improving your project's environmental performance, we connect you with the right consultant for your project. Use our find a consultant tool or submit your details through the enquiry form for a free, obligation-free quote.