AU2004200942B2 - Method and Tool for Assessing the Sustainability of a Development - Google Patents

Description

S&F Ref: 669188

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Director-General of the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Henry Deane Building Lee Street Sydney New South Wales 2000 Australia Bruce Stanley Taper, Kendell Bruce Banfield, Bruce Michael Jeffreys, David Brian Eckstein, Roderick Simpson, Firas Naji, Rachel O'Leary Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Method and Tool for Assessing the Sustainability of a Development ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION DETAILS [33] Country [31] Applic. No(s) AU 2003901056 [32] Application Date 07 Mar 2003 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5815c -1- METHOD AND TOOL FOR ASSESSING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF A

DEVELOPMENT

RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No.

200:3901056, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the social, environmental, and/or economic impact of developments and development practices and more particularly to the social, economic and/or environmental sustainability of building developments.

BACKGROUND

A new dwelling is built every 14 minutes in the state of New South Wales, Australia. This rapid growth puts pressure on water, energy and other natural resources and impacts on the quality of life of those living in the state.

Internationally, a more sustainable approach to building and development, which minimises the environmental and social impacts, is becoming the norm. Governments and companies are trying a range of approaches, both regulatory and voluntary, to achieve more: sustainable housing.

"Sustainability", in the context of this specification, is intended to mean "the ability to be sustained". For example, a development that has too high a rate of consumption of a natural resource such as potable water may have a limited sustainability period with respect to that resource.

Architects, builders and developers are subject to a multiplicity of development control standards and guidelines, which typically differ from one aspect of sustainability to another. Existing tools such as Development Control Plans (DCP's) assess particular aspects of sustainability and a multiplicity of separate tools is thus needed to assess different aspects of sustainability. This situation results in increased inconsistency, complexity and confusion.

669188.doc -2- Consequently, a need exists for a consolidated method and tool to assist architects, builders and developers to define and standardise better building practices in sustainability aspects such as water and energy.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for assessing the sustainability of a development. The method includes the steps of determining benchmark values for a plurality of sustainability indices, receiving data relating to a development, determining a plurality of input values from the data relating to a development, wherein each input value corresponds to one of the sustainability indices, comparing each of the plurality of input values with a corresponding one of the benchmark values, and providing an assessment of the sustainability of the development based on the comparison.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a system for assessing the sustainability of a development. The system includes memory means for storing benchmark values for a plurality of sustainability indices, input means for receiving data relating to a development, processing means for determining a plurality of input values from the data relating to a development, wherein each input value corresponds to one of the sustainability indices, processing means for comparing each of the plurality of input values with a corresponding one of the benchmark values, and output means for providing an assessment of the sustainability of the development based on the comparison.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a computer program product having a computer readable medium having a computer program recorded therein for assessing the sustainability of a development. The computer program includes computer program code means for retrieving benchmark values for a plurality of sustainability indices that are representative of a standard for a sustainable development, computer program code means for receiving data relating to a development, computer program code means for determining a plurality of input values from the data relating to a development, wherein each input value corresponds to one of the sustainability indices, computer program code means for comparing each of the plurality of input values with a corresponding one of the benchmark values, and computer program code means for 669188.doc -3providing an assessment of the sustainability of the development based on the comparison.

The comparison may comprise generating a score for each input value that is representative of the performance of that input value relative to the corresponding benchmark value and the assessment may comprise assessing the scores against corresponding pre-determined target values. Corresponding ones of the benchmark values and the input values may relate to a resource consuming aspect of a development. The benchmark values may be based on baseline resource and utility data, policy decisions, and/or published standards. The development may comprise a development proposal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Features and embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for assessing the social and/or environmental sustainability of a development in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a computer system for executing a computer program for assessing the social and/or environmental sustainability of a development in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figs. 3 to 16 relate to a spreadsheet-based embodiment of the BASIXTM sustainability assessment tool, in which: Figs. 3 and 4 are representations of pages relating to identification and details of a project, respectively; Fig. 5 is a representation of a page relating to the social sustainability index; Fig. 6 is a representation of a page relating to the transport sustainability index; Figs. 7a and 7b are representations of pages relating to the site ecology sustainability index; Figs. 8a to 8c are representations of pages relating to the site ecology sustainability index; Figs. 9a to 9c are representations of pages relating to the water sustainability index; Figs. 10a to 10d are representations of pages relating to the energy sustainability index; 669188.doc -4- Figs. 11 a and lb are representations of pages relating to the recyclables and waste sustainability index; Figs. 12a to 12c are representations of pages relating to the materials sustainability index; Fig. 13 is a representation of a page relating to the indoor amenity sustainability index; Fig. 14 is a representation of a page relating to a summary of a project; Figs. 15a to 15d are representations of pages relating to the water sustainability index, in which Figs. 15c and 15d are enlarged views of Fig. 15a in accordance with the legend in Fig. Fig. 16 is a representation of a page relating to a summary of a project comprising multi-unit apartments; Figs. 17 to 29 relate to a Internet-based embodiment of the BASIXTM sustainability assessment tool, in which: Figs. 17 to 19 are representations of pages relating to a project portfolio and identification and details of a project, respectively; Figs. 20a and 20b are representations of pages relating to the stormwater sustainability index; Fig. 21 is a representation of a page relating to the landscape sustainability index; Figs. 22a and 22b are representations of pages relating to the water sustainability index; Figs. 23a and 23b are representations of pages relating to the indoor amenity sustainability index; Figs. 24a to 24c are representations of pages relating to the energy sustainability index; Fig. 25 is a representation of a page relating definition of unit types in a multi-unit development project; Fig. 26 is a representation of a page relating to a schedule of the units in a multi-unit development project; Fig. 27 is a representation of a page relating to a summary of a project; Fig. 28 is a representation of a page relating to a project report; and Fig. 29 is a representation of a page relating to submission of a BASIXTM-based assessment of a project in support of a development application.

669188.doc DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of the method, system and computer program described hereinafter relate to common residential developments, which include detached dwellings, villas, townhouses and multi-unit apartments. Notwithstanding, it is not intended that the present invention be limited in this way. For example, the method, system and computer program described hereinafter may be applied to numerous other types of projects such as industrial and commercial developments that have a social, economic and/or environmental impact.

Embodiments described hereinafter provide a means of assessing the environmental impact of developments or proposed developments by quantifying the various demands of a development, such as water and energy, and comparing those demands to a "benchmark" average. For example, a benchmark may represent all existing housing stock of the same type as a proposed dwelling. If the proposed dwelling is a threebedroom detached house, the relevant benchmarks for water and energy may comprise the average water consumption and greenhouse emissions for all existing three-bedroom detached dwellings.

The embodiments described hereinafter enable developers and authorities such as local councils to assess a development or proposed development against an established set of sustainability indices. The established set of sustainability indices are generally evidence-based based on measurable data) in that benchmark values for the sustainability indices are typically derived from baseline resource and utility data such as data from utility providers such as Sydney Water average water consumption per person in a particular area). However, the benchmark values may also be derived from policy decisions. The established set of sustainability indices are representative of aspects of sustainability currently considered when developments or proposed developments are assessed. New and/or additional resource and utility data can be added and the sustainability indices updated, thus ensuring that current practice for benchmarking against keeps pace with improved data and technological improvements a new shower head on the market may use less water and thus influence the water and energy indices). An established set of sustainability indices is also useful for determining and setting standards under a regulatory regime.

669188.doc -6- Embodiments of the sustainability assessment tool described hereinafter may be practised as a software-based, online interactive tool made available to users via the World Wide Web (WWW). In such an implementation, the sustainability assessment tool is hosted by a server and accessed by users by way of a browser program such as Internet Explorer or Netscape NavigatorM, via the Internet. However, other embodiments of the sustainability assessment tool may also be practised and made available by way of a computer program distributed via a communications network or via transportable media such as floppy disk, compact disk or any other known form of media.

Assessing the Sustainability of a Development Fig. 1 shows a flow diagram of a method for assessing the sustainability of a development.

Benchmark values for a number of sustainability indices are generated at step 100.

The benchmark values are typically generated based on baseline resource and utility data.

However, the benchmark values may simply represent target values. The sustainability indices typically take social, environmental and/or economic factors into account and are representative of current practices for development. At step 110, data relating to a development or proposed development is received for processing. The data includes, but is not limited to the site location, the number of dwellings, and the size of each dwelling.

The data is processed at step 120 to determine a set of input values. Each of the input values corresponds to a sustainability index. At step 130, each input value is compared to a benchmark value for a corresponding sustainability index. An indication of the social, economic, and/or environmental sustainability of the development or proposed development, based on the comparisons of the foregoing step 130, is provided at step 140.

Comparison with and scoring against benchmark values for the sustainability indices may be hard or soft. Hard scoring is based on hard data actual measurable data), whereas soft scoring is based on soft data such social science-based information or policy-based information.

The BASIX

M

Sustainability Assessment Tool 669188.doc -7- The BASIX M sustainability assessment tool represents an embodiment of the present invention that provides a consistent framework for benchmarking existing developments and proposed developments. Conformance to specified sustainability targets can be implemented through either voluntary or regulatory mechanisms.

The BASIXTM sustainability assessment tool includes two key components, namely the building component and the context component. The building component assesses the sustainability of a development or proposed development based on design choices made in relation to building construction. Through the building component, the BASIXTM assessment tool encourages architects, builders and developers to focus on aspects of sustainability that can reasonably be addressed during construction. Such aspects include the choice of building materials and landscaping, water efficient systems and appliances, and environmentally appropriate energy sources.

The context components in the context of a proposed development include the assessment of integrated land-use and the availability of transport infrastucture, stormwater systems and water and energy supply infrastructure. While such issues are generally beyond the control of architects, builders and developers, a development can nevertheless be optimised for sustainability within certain confines.

The BASIX sustainability assessment tool currently includes nine sustainability indices, which are described hereinafter: Landscape Index (formerly the Site Index) This index recognises the sustainability benefits of urban renewal over greenfields developments and encourages minimal site disturbance while maximising landscape and biodiversity.

Social Index The social index promotes affordable, adaptable and accessible housing and encourages mix-use developments.

Transport Index 669188.doc This index encourages a reduction in the provision of car parking where satisfactory public transport is available and accessible and promotes safe and accessible facilities for all walking, cycling and public transport users.

Water Index The water index recognises the potential reduction in demand for potable water associated with the use of water efficient fittings and appliances such as showerheads, dishwashers and washing machines. Moreover, the index further recognises the value of substituting harvested or recycled water for mains potable water wherever appropriate.

Stormwater Index This index recognises the advantage of on-site quality and quantity control measures in relation to downstream infrastructure and natural systems.

Energy Index The energy index recognises the potential reduction in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions through the use of energy efficient fittings and appliances. The index also promotes the use of renewable energy.

Waste and Recycling Index The waste and recycling index promotes waste minimisation through well-designed developments. The reuse and recycling of materials and buildings are particularly encouraged.

Materials Index This index recognises the environmental impact associated with the production, transport and use of particular building materials. Material reuse and recycling are particularly encouraged.

Thermal Comfort Index (formerly the Indoor Amenities Index) This index recognises the impact of building fabric in reducing the energy demands of a building and promotes ventilated and day or natural lighting systems. The index 669188.doc encourages the selection of materials that minimise indoor air pollution, and that increase comfort levels.

Although distinct from each other, the individual indices are in certain cases linked by way of an underlying algorithm or mathematical formula. For example, use of an AAA-rated showerhead that consumes 20% less water than a standard showerhead results in a more favourable water sustainability index. However, the 20% savings in water consumption also gives rise to a corresponding reduction in heating energy required and a corresponding reduction in CO 2 emissions. Thus, by way of an algorithmic or a mathematically-based linkage between certain of the sustainability indices or between specific topics that form part of sustainability indices, scoring values in respect of indices other than the water sustainability index the energy sustainability index) are adjusted or affected. However, scoring within each sustainability index is generated separately, largely to prevent trade-off situations between indices by users. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the sustainability indices are combined using weighted averages to produce a single integrated sustainability index.

It should be noted that the number and definition of the indices is variable. Through ongoing development of the BASIX T M sustainability assessment tool and the availability of additional hard and/or soft data, indices can be modified, added or removed from the list of current indices.

The nine indices described hereinbefore are primarily concerned with social, economic and/or environmental issues. Notwithstanding, other indices can be added or the foregoing indices can be modified. In numerous cases, improved performance of a development with regard to social and environmental sustainability indices provides a favourable economic effect less water and energy consumption costs less). Good performance of a development with regard to social, economic and/or environmental sustainability indices can also be encouraged by way of incentives.

Figs. 3 to 16 of the accompanying drawings show representations of pages displayed to a user in a spreadsheet-based (Microsoft ExcelTM) embodiment of the

BASIX

T M sustainability assessment tool. Figs. 3 and 4 relate to the specific development project address, type and details. Figs. 5 to 13 correspond to the nine sustainability indices 669188.doc used in certain embodiments of the BASIXTM tool and show determination of sustainability scores for those indices based on answers provided by a user in response to relevant questions.

Referring specifically to Fig. 5, which is representative of the social sustainability index, topics 510 to 540 relate to certain social aspects of housing. Within each topic, there are questions that require answers. For example, the sole question in topic 530 relates to whether the proposed development is part of an affordable housing scheme.

Column 550 (prop.) shows the user's answers in relation to each topic, which in the case of topic 530 comprises an affirmative tick. Columns 551 and 552 indicate the minimum and maximum values for data entry, where applicable. Column 553 indicates the maximum possible score and column 554 indicates the resulting score based on the user's particular answer. A summary of the importance and scores in each of the categories 510 to 540 is indicated in table 560. The overall score of 90 for the social input value is indicated in the box 570 and is depicted in graph 580. The light bar 582 in the graph 580 indicates the overall score of 90 for the social input value, while the darker bar 584 below indicates the target value of 20. The particular development thus exhibits a social sustainability that is well above the average of zero and target value of 20. Menu 500 allows the user to select a particular page relating to the development project, including a specific sustainability index, and to perform other housekeeping tasks such as loading and saving development project data.

A score of zero is indicative of the average and a target value of 20 thus implies a targeted improvement of 20% relative to the average. A score of 100 implies a perfect situation no requirement for Sydney Water for the case of the water sustainability index).

Fig. 14 shows a summary of the nine sustainability indices for a particular development project. Column 2510 shows sustainability scores for each of the sustainability indices in the development project. Column 2520 shows the variances between each of the sustainability scores in column 2510 and target values for each of the sustainability indices. The target values of each of the sustainability indices in this example are 669188.doc -11- Figs. 15a to 15d are representative of the water sustainability index of Fig. 12 and provide further detail and explanation. Figs. 15c and 15d comprise an expanded version of Fig 15a in accordance with the legend in Fig. Fig. 16 is representative of the water, energy and indoor amenities sustainability indices for a number of different types of residential units in the same complex. As shown in Fig. 16, different values can be attributed to the different units, based for example on the type of unit no of rooms) and the materials, fittings and appliances used or installed.

Figs. 17 to 29 of the accompanying drawings show representations of pages displayed to a user of an Internet-based embodiment of the BASIXTM sustainability assessment tool. Figs. 17, 18 and 19 relate to a project portfolio and the address, type and details of a specific project, respectively. Figs. 20 to 24 correspond to sustainability indices used in certain embodiments of the BASIX tool and show determination of sustainability scores for those indices based on answers provided by a user in response to relevant questions.

Appendix A, hereinafter, describes an exemplary embodiment of the BASIXTM tool in which only scores for the water and energy sustainability indices are calculated. In other embodiments of the BASIX T M tool, however, other indices may be scored in a similar manner to the examples provided in Appendix A for the water and energy indices.

Computer Hardware The method and tool for assessing the sustainability of a development may be implemented using a computer program product in conjunction with a computer system 200 as shown in Fig. 2. In particular, the method for assessing the sustainability of a development can be implemented as software, or computer readable program code, for execution on the computer system 200.

The computer system 200 includes a computer 250, a video display 210, and input devices 230, 232. In addition, the computer system 200 can have any of a number of other output devices including line printers, laser printers, plotters, and other reproduction devices connected to the computer 250. The computer system 200 can be connected to 669188.doc

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-12one or more other computers via a communication interface 264 using an appropriate communication channel 240 such as a modem communications path, an electronic network, or the like. The network may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an Intranet, and/or the Internet 220.

The computer 250 includes the control module 266, a memory 270 that may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM), input/output (I/O) interfaces 264, 272, a video interface 260, and one or more storage devices generally represented by the storage device 262. The control module 266 is implemented using a central processing unit (CPU) that executes or runs computer readable program code to perform embodiments of the present invention.

The video interface 260 is connected to the video display 210 and provides video signals from the computer 250 for display on the video display 210. User input to operate the computer 250 can be provided by one or more of the input devices 230, 232 via the I/O interface 272. For example, a user of the computer 250 can use a keyboard as I/O interface 230 and/or a pointing device such as a mouse as I/O interface 232. The keyboard and the mouse provide input to the computer 250. The storage device 262 may consist of one or more of the following: a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a magnetooptical disk drive, CD-ROM, magnetic tape or any other of a number of non-volatile storage devices well known to those skilled in the art. Each of the elements in the computer system 250 is typically connected to other devices via a bus 280 that in turn may consist of data, address, and control buses.

The method steps for assessing the sustainability of a development are effected by instructions in the software that are carried out by the computer system 200. Again, the software may be implemented as one or more modules for implementing the method steps.

In particular, the software may be stored in a computer readable medium, including the storage device 262 or that is downloaded from a remote location via the interface 264 and communications channel 240 from the Internet 220 or another network location or site. The computer system 200 includes the computer readable medium having such 669188.doc -13software or program code recorded such that instructions of the software or the program code can be carried out.

The computer system 200 is provided for illustrative purposes and other configurations can be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The computer system 200 is merely an example of a computer or computer system with which embodiments of the invention may be practised. Typically, the methods of embodiments of the present invention are resident as software or a computer readable program code recorded on a hard disk drive as the computer readable medium, to and read and controlled using the control module 266. Intermediate storage of the program code and any data including entities, tickets, and the like may be accomplished using the memory 270, possibly in concert with the storage device 262.

In some instances, the program may be supplied to the user encoded on a CD-ROM or a floppy disk (both generally depicted by the storage device 262), or alternatively could be read by the user from the network via a modem device connected to the computer 250.

Alternatively, the computer system 200 may load the software from other computer readable media such as magnetic tape, a ROM or integrated circuit, a magneto-optical disk, a radio or infra-red transmission channel between the computer and another device, a computer readable card such as a PCMCIA card, and the Internet 220 and Intranets including e-mail transmissions and information recorded on Internet sites and the like.

The foregoing are merely examples of relevant computer readable media. Other comIputer readable media may be practised without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

The method for assessing the sustainability of a development can be realised in a centralised fashion in one computer system 200, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems such as the computer system 200. For example, a computer such as the computer system 200 or similar may be used to implement one or more servers and clients for network-based access of a computer program product for assessing the sustainability of a development.

669188.doc -14- Computer program means or a computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation or b) reproduction in a different material form.

In the foregoing, a method, a system, and a computer program product for assessing the sustainability of a development are disclosed. While only a small number of embodiments are described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and/or modifications can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

(Australia Only) In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" means "including principally but not necessarily solely" or "having" or "including", and not "consisting only of'. Variations of the word "comprising", such as "comprise" and "comprises" have correspondingly varied meanings.

669188..doc I I APPENDIX A Al BASIXTM FRAMEWORK, BENCHMARKS AND SCORES Al.1 BASIXTM FRAMEWORK BASIXTM provides a means of assessing the environmental impact of proposed housing developments. It does this by quantifying various demands such as energy and water of the proposal and comparing those demands to a "benchmark" average. The benchmark represents all existing housing stock of the same type as the proposed dwelling. For example, if the proposed dwelling is a three bedroom detached house, the relevant benchmarks for energy and water are the average greenhouse emissions and water consumption for all existing three bedroom detached dwellings.

A1.2 BENCHMARK DWELLING CHARACTERISTICS Utility data is the primary source of the water and energy (and hence greenhouse) consumption benchmarks. This information critically determines the resource use of the benchmark dwelling.

BASIXTM also requires benchmark information relating to the resource consuming features the hot water system, showerhead water rating, primary heating and cooling system, lighting, pool size, cooking fuel sources, floor area, etc.) of the benchmark dwelling. Numerous calculations are made in BASIXTM to properly account for the penetration that certain resource-related technology has already made into the housing stock. This is because the effect on a dwelling of selecting a particular water or energyconserving measure depends on the performance of the benchmark measure that the selected measure replaces. For example, even though a 3A rated showerhead saves a number of litres of water per person per day in comparison to the standard, non-water conserving showerhead, this does not necessarily mean that it will save the same quantity of water when installed into an otherwise standard (benchmark) dwelling. Indeed, if the existing stock of all comparable dwellings was already fitted with 3A showerheads, installation of a 3A showerhead into a new dwelling will mean that the occupants will use no less water than the benchmark. The information needed to assemble a picture of the 669188.doc

I

-16dwelling in terms of these characteristics is derived from both utility and Australian Bureau of Standards (ABS) sources.

Taken together, the benchmark resource use and benchmark resource consuming features of the dwelling enable BASIXTM to properly account for the impact that selection of a particular technology will have on average mains water or energy consumption. The means by which this is done are described hereinafter.

A1.3 BENCHMARK CALCULATION It is important to establish the efficiency of each alternative technology (that is available to the proposer in BASIXTM) in relation to the "average" (or benchmark) technology that characterises the benchmark dwelling, especially for relatively commonplace water and energy/greenhouse saving features such as showerheads, dualflush toilets, solar hot water services, fluorescent lighting, gas heating, etc. The first step in establishing this benchmark relative efficiency is the compilation of appropriate water consumption or greenhouse efficiency data. Table 1 represents such data for the case of showerhead water consumption.

Table 1. Comparative water consumption data for showerheads.

water consumption showerhead water rating penetration rate (litres/min) 3A 9.0 0.20 2A 12.0 0.05 1A 15.0 0.05 no rating 20.0 0.70 Knowledge of the penetration rates pi of the various showerhead types allows the water consumption, WC(sB), of the "benchmark" showerhead to be calculated as follows: WC(SB) Pl x WC(SI) p2 X WC(S 2

P

3 x WC(S 3 Pn x WC(Sn), 669188.doc -17where: WC(si) represents the water consumption of showerhead type and n is the number of different showerhead types. In the case of Table 1 above, it is therefore calculated that the benchmark showerhead uses 17.2 litres/minute of water.

Once this benchmark has been established, it is a simple matter to calculate the water consumption of each showerhead option relative to that reference. The derived benchmark-relative water consumption (also referred to as a "use factor") for the showerheads is shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Water consumption of showerheads relative to the benchmark.

Showerhead water rating use factor 3A 0.52 2A 0.70 1A 0.87 no rating 1.17 Here, it can be seen that the use of, for example, a 3A-rated showerhead in a new dwelling delivers a 48% reduction in the shower water consumption compared to the benchmark. Because there is already a significant number of 1A, 2A and 3A rated showerheads in existing dwellings, this reduction is not as profound as one might first expect from comparison between a 3A rated showerhead and a "no rating" showerhead.

Examples of specific Water and Energy methodologies are outlined hereinafter.

A2 WATER A2.1 INTERNAL WATER FIXTURES AND APPLIANCES The amount of water saved by the choice of internal water fixtures and appliances is calculated as follows: Determination of the average water use of different fixtures and appliances 669188.doc I I -18- BASIXTM determines the water efficiencies of different water fixtures and appliances from 1A to 5A water rating compared to the current average use in existing stock. The means by which this is done is described above in Section Al.

The water efficiency or 'use factor' (Uf) is calculated as follows: Uf Ua Ub where: Ua is the water use of the selected fixture or appliance in, for example, litres per minute or litres per wash etc; and Ub is the baseline water use in (litres per minute or litres per wash) of the selected fixture or appliance in an average home.

The water saving (Ws) of the selected appliance is therefore calculated as follows: Ws =Wa x (1 -Uf) where: Wa is the average potable water use (litres/person/day) for the subject fixture or appliance; and Uf is the use factor of the selected fixture or appliance.

Determination of the percentage reduction or increase in potable water consumption BASIXTM calculates the percentage potable water reduction or increase Wa) of the selected water fixture or appliance as follows: Wa ((On x Wa x (1 Uf)) Wb) x 100 where: On is the number of occupants in the proposed household; Wa is the average potable water use (litres/person/day) for the subject fixture or appliance; Uf is the use factor of the selected fixture or appliance; and Wb is the benchmark total potable water used in existing housing stock of the same housing type and size.

669188.doc

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-19- A BASIX score is therefore a percentage reduction or increase on the total (internal plus external) potable water consumption.

This method is used to calculate the individual water score for all internal water fixtures and appliances Greenhouse gas savings from hot-water reduction due to an efficient showerhead is also calculated and passed to the Energy page for inclusion in the energy score.

Example Assumptions: 3A shower head 9 litres/minute Current average shower head water use 17.2 litres/minute (based on market penetration of different efficiencies of showerheads in existing stock see Section Al) 3 Bedroom house 3 occupants Sydney average shower water use 56.9 L/person/day Sydney average total water use for 3 bedroom detached home 773 L/day Calculations: 1. 3A shower head use factor is: 9 17.2 0.52 2. Percentage water reduction for installing a 3A shower head is: Wa x 56.9 x (1 0.52)) 773) x 100 11% The score for installing a 3A shower head 11 A2.2 RAINWATER/STORMWATER TANK, RETICULATED/ON-SITE RECYCLED WATER Scoring for alternative water reuse is calculated on the basis of the alternative water used in the dwelling as a percentage of the total average water consumption for the dwelling.

669188.doc Determination of the amount of alternative water available This is calculated depending on the particular alternative water supply option that is selected. If a rainwater/stormwater tank is selected, the supply is determined by a number of parameters entered on the Stormwater page. These parameters focus on the amount of rainwater that can be harvested. If a reticulated recycled water supply is selected, the proponent enters the supply. If an on-site recycled water supply is selected, the supply is determined by the wastewater generated from the bath, shower, bathroom basin and laundry. This supply will change dependant on the efficiency of the selected showerhead to and the clothes washer.

Determination of the demands placed on the alternative water supply The proponent selects the demands placed on the alternative water supply. If selected, the toilet demand (Dt) placed on the alternative water supply is as follows: Dt On x Wt x Uf where: On is the number of occupants in the proposed household; Wt is the average potable toilet water use (litres/person/day); and Uf is the use factor of the selected toilet.

If alternative water is not selected for toilet flushing, the demand is 0 L/person/day.

If selected, the laundry demand (DI) placed on the alternative water supply is as follows:

D

i On x Wwm x Uf x Cwwm where: On is the number of occupants in the proposed household; Wwm the average washing machine water use (litres/person/day); Uf the use factor of the selected washing machine; and Cwwm the percentage of cold water used in clothes washers.

669188.doc -21- If alternative water is not selected for laundry, the demand is 0 L/person/day.

If selected, the garden irrigation demand equals the water consumption of the proposed garden. This is determined by the proposed irrigated area and irrigation system and calculated on the Landscape page.

Determination of the amount of alternative water used in the dwelling

BASIXT

M calculates the alternative water used in a dwelling as follows: A The minimum of either A, or (Dt D 1 D g) x On where: A, is the amount of alternative water that is available for use (as determined above); Dt is the demand for alternative water for toilet flushing;

D

1 is the demand for alternative water for laundry; Dg is the demand for alternative water for garden irrigation; and O, is the average number of occupants for the proposed dwelling.

The foregoing calculation accounts for the finite availability of alternative water supply and so recognises only the savings that are available despite the magnitude of the demand.

Determination of the percentage water reduction The water reduction from using an alternative water supply for internal and or garden irrigation is calculated as follows: Wa=(Au, /W)x 100 where: A, is the amount of alternative water used in the dwelling; and W is the average total potable water used (both internal and external) in existing housing stock of the same housing type and size.

Example 669188.doc I I -22- Assumptions: 3 Bedroom house 3 occupants Recycled water used for toilet flushing and laundry Toilet 3A dual-flush (20.1 L/person/day) Washing machine 3A (31.6 L/person/day) Average proportion of clothes washing water that is cold 0.8 Sydney average laundry trough water use 4.8 L/person/day Average proportion of laundry trough water that is cold 0.7 Sydney average total water use for 3 bedroom detached home 773 L/day Calculation: 1. Reticulated recycled water supply 1000 L/day (entered by proponent) 2. Reticulated recycled water used: (20.1 ((31.6 x 0.8) (4.8 x x 3 181.8 L/day 3. The minimum of 1,000 L/day and 181.8 L/day 181.8 L/day 4. Percentage potable water reduction for using reticulated recycled water for toilet and laundry: (145.9 773) x 100 19% The score for installing and using reticulated recycled water for toilet and laundry in a 3 bedroom detached home 19 A3 ENERGY BACKGROUND Although the index is identified as "Energy", the index targets the greenhouse gas emissions of the proposed development. Energy is used as a proxy for greenhouse simply because it is closely linked to greenhouse and that the proposer is likely to already have some knowledge of the various forms of energy consumption in the dwelling.

A3.1 SPACE COOLING HEATING Space heating and cooling are responsible for approximately 12% of the greenhouse emissions from an average detached dwelling. Because the degree of heating and cooling is highly dependent on the building fabric, thermal insulation, glass areas, orientation, etc, 669188.doc 23the space cooling and heating requirements are largely predetermined for the life of the structure and are thereby a very important consideration of the Energy Index.

Cooling and heating greenhouse emissions are assessed separately in BASIXTM.

This assessment is made with a consistent methodology that is centred around the predicted thermal performance of the building which is either supplied in the form of the output from a recognised thermal simulation protocol (such as NatHERS) or, for a dwelling of conventional design, in the form of an approximate performance delivered from a set of previously-modelled references.

Cooling and heating loads Estimations of the proposal's cooling and heating requirements are made on the basis of the predicted thermal demands for cooling and heating (expressed in MJ per square metre of conditioned area). These thermal loads are derived from the MJ/m 2 outcomes of the performance assessment multiplied by the conditioned floor area of the proposed dwelling. That is, the annual thermal energy (Tc, in MJ) required for cooling the proposed dwelling is: Tc C x Ac, and the annual thermal energy (TH, in MJ) required for heating the proposed dwelling is: TH C x AH, where: C is the conditioned area (in m 2 and Ac and AH are the assessed cooling and heating thermal demands (in MJ/m 2 respectively.

Greenhouse emissions determined by thermal performance To determine the greenhouse emissions for space cooling and heating the dwelling, the predicted annual thermal energies for heating and cooling are compared against the set of similarly-predicted energies of the benchmark dwelling for which the actual annual 669188.doc -24cooling and heating energies (as well as the conditioned floor area and the baseline cooling and heating system) are known. Using AC,B and AH,B to represent the cooling and heating thermal demands of the benchmark dwelling, and CB to represent the conditioned area of that dwelling, it is a simple matter to calculate the ratios: CDM (C x AC)/(CB x Ac,a) HDM (C x AH)/(CB x AH,B), which represent a pair of "demand multipliers". The first of these is the cooling demand multiplier (CDM) which expresses the scale of the proposed dwelling's cooling load in comparison to the benchmark dwelling. If CDM=, the cooling demand of the proposed dwelling is identical to the benchmark dwelling. The dwelling has a cooling demand that is greater than the benchmark if CDM 1. Ideally, the cooling demand of a well-designed dwelling should be lower than the reference benchmark (ie, CDM but this, understandably, becomes increasingly difficult to achieve as the size of the dwelling grows. The same is true of the heating demand multiplier (HDM).

The greenhouse gas emissions expected for cooling and heating the dwelling with the benchmark technology are calculated using the demand multiplier and the greenhouse emissions of that dwelling. That is, Gc CDM x GC,B, and GH HDM x GH,B.

where: Gc and GH are the greenhouse emissions for cooling and heating respectively; and GC,B and GH,B are the equivalent emissions of the benchmark dwelling.

Equivalently, the greenhouse emissions that are "saved" with respect to the benchmark dwelling are: Gc GC,B Gc, for cooling, and GH GH,B GH for heating.

669188.doc Finally, each of these savings (cooling or heating) is converted to a standard BASIX score by dividing by the total greenhouse emissions of the benchmark dwelling. That is, %SGc 100x Gc/Gc,B %SGH 100 x GH/GH,B Greenhouse emissions determined by choice of cooling and heating system The second component of the score that is awarded in the cooling and heating sections of the Energy Index relate to the choice of cooling and heating system. Whereas the first component of the emissions assessment was made by effectively scaling the benchmark technology to meet the demand, the second component adjusts the score by taking into account the greenhouse efficiency of the selected cooling or heating technology. If the efficiency of the selected technology is superior to the benchmark technology, then the proposer will be credited with a saving of greenhouse emissions that at least partly offsets the penalty that was imposed by the benchmark technology in the initial component of the assessment.

Calculation of the greenhouse emissions arising from the choice of the cooling and heating system is based on the efficiency of the chosen technology in comparison to the benchmark technology. That is, if the chosen technology generates Uc times the greenhouse gas emissions per annum than the benchmark technology for an equal amount of effective cooling, then the greenhouse gas emissions corresponding to that choice will be Gc' (where the' denotes the second part of the space cooling emissions) such that: Gc'= Uc x Gc and, similarly, for heating: GH' UH X GH.

669188.doc -26- Following the treatment of the thermal performance score component, the additional greenhouse "savings" that arise from the cooling and heating system choice are: Gc' Gc Gc', for cooling, and CGH' GH GH' for heating.

Each of these savings is then converted to a standard BASIX T M score by dividing by the total greenhouse emissions of the benchmark dwelling. That is: %SGc' 100 x Gc'/Gc,B %SGH' 100x GHm'/GH,B By adding these savings to those calculated in Section A2.1, the final scoring is formed from the greenhouse emissions arising from the application of the baseline technology to the proposed dwelling plus the change in emissions that will occur when the proposed technology is selected to replace the baseline technology.

Restrictions on the choice of certain heating and cooling options In the respective drop-down menus, a "no cooling" and a "no heating" selection is available to the proposer. Rather than simply crediting the proposer with saving the benchmark greenhouse emissions for cooling and for heating as appropriate, BASIXT responds to these particular choices in a very controlled way. This control is dependent on the predicted thermal performance of the building. It acknowledges that if the cooling performance of the dwelling exceeds a predetermined level and there is no evidence that an active cooling system will be required, then selection of "no cooling" will reward the proposer with a full greenhouse saving equal to the average greenhouse emissions for cooling the baseline dwelling. As the cooling performance of the dwelling declines,

BASIX

T recognises that a finite probability of installing a cooling system arises and grows with the cooling demand. That probability Pc is used to attribute a fraction of the greenhouse emissions for a benchmark cooling system to the dwelling as follows: G'c Pc x GC,B 669188.doc 27 Beyond a certain cooling demand, BASIXTM assumes that the installation of a cooling system is a certainty despite the user nominating "no cooling system" and so, for dwellings of very poor cooling performance, BASIXTM sets Pc 1.

An identical approach is used for the estimation of the greenhouse emissions for heating where a heating system probability PH is used to assess the greenhouse savings to be attributed to selection of"no heating system". That is: G'H PH X GH,B.

A3.2 HOT WATER Hot water is responsible for approximately 38% of the greenhouse emissions for a typical dwelling. BASIXTM recognises two means by which these emissions can be influenced by specification of the dwelling. These relate to: the demand for hot water in the dwelling, and the efficiency of the selected water heating system.

The greenhouse savings from each of these means are separately accounted for in BASIXTM. The first saving is assessed as the change in greenhouse emissions that would arise from the difference between the benchmark hot water consumption and the hot water consumption of the proposal on the basis that a benchmark hot water system was used to supply the hot water. The second saving is calculated as the change in greenhouse emiss;ions that arise when the benchmark hot water system (supplying the hot water demand of the proposal) is replaced by the hot water system selected by the proposer.

669188.doc

Claims (4)

1. A method for assessing the sustainability of a development, said method comprising the steps of: determining benchmark values for a plurality of sustainability indices that are representative of a standard for a sustainable development; receiving data relating to a development; determining a plurality of input values from said data relating to a development, wherein each input value corresponds to one of said sustainability indices; comparing each of said plurality of input values with a corresponding one of said benchmark values; and assessing the sustainability of said development based on said comparison.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: said comparison step comprises the step of generating a score for each input value that is representative of the performance of said input value relative to the corresponding benchmark value; and said assessment step comprises the step of assessing said scores against corresponding pre-determined target values.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein corresponding ones of said benchmark values and said input values relate to a resource consuming aspect of a development.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said benchmark values are based on at least one source selected from the group of sources consisting of: baseline resource and utility data; policy decisions; and published standards. The method of claim 4, wherein said development comprises one or more residential dwelling/s selected from the group of residential dwellings consisting of: detached dwellings; villas; townhouses; and multi-unit apartments.

669188.doc I -29- 6. The method of claim 3, wherein said sustainability indices include one or more indices from the group of indices consisting of: a landscape index that promotes urban renewal over greenfield developments; a social index that promotes affordable, adaptable and accessible housing; a transport index that promotes reduced car parking provision where public transport is available; a water index that promotes water efficient fittings and appliances; a stormwater index that recognises downstream infrastucture and natural systems; an energy index that promotes energy efficient fittings and appliances; a waste and recycling index that promotes reuse and recycling; a materials index that promotes building materials that can be reused and/or recycled; and an indoor amenity index that promotes material selection that minimises indoor air pollution. 7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said development comprises a development proposal. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said method comprises an online method and said data relating to a development is received via the Internet. 9. A system for assessing the sustainability of a development, said system comprising: memory means for storing benchmark values for a plurality of sustainability indices that are representative of a standard for a sustainable development; input means for receiving data relating to a development; processing means for determining a plurality of input values from said data relating to a development, wherein each input value corresponds to one of said sustainability indices; processing means for assessing the sustainability of said development based on a comparison between each of said plurality of input values and a corresponding one of said benchmark values; and output means for providing an outcome of said assessment. 669188.doc The system of claim 9, further comprising: memory means for storing pre-determined target values relating to said sustainability indices; and wherein: said processing means generates a score for each input value that is representative of s the performance of said input value relative to the corresponding benchmark value; and said processing means assesses said scores against corresponding ones of said pre- determined target values. 11. The system of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein corresponding ones of said benchmark values and said input values relate to a resource consuming aspect of a development. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said benchmark values are based on at least one source selected from the group of sources consisting of: baseline resource and utility data; policy decisions; and published standards. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said development comprises one or more residential dwelling/s selected from the group of residential dwellings consisting of: detached dwellings; villas; townhouses; and multi-unit apartments. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein said sustainability indices include one or more indices from the group of indices consisting of: a landscape index that promotes urban renewal over greenfield developments; a social index that promotes affordable, adaptable and accessible housing; a transport index that promotes reduced car parking provision where public transport is available; a water index that promotes water efficient fittings and appliances; a stormwater index that recognises downstream infrastucture and natural systems; an energy index that promotes energy efficient fittings and appliances; a waste and recycling index that promotes reuse and recycling; 669188 -31- a materials index that promotes building materials that can be reused and/or recycled; and an indoor amenity index that promotes material selection that minimises indoor air pollution. The system of any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein said development comprises a development proposal. 16. A computer program product having a computer readable medium having a computer program recorded therein for assessing the sustainability of a development, said computer program comprising: computer program code means for retrieving benchmark values for a plurality of sustainability indices that are representative of a standard for a sustainable development; computer program code means for receiving data relating to a development; computer program code means for determining a plurality of input values from said data relating to a development, wherein each input value corresponds to one of said sustainability indices; computer program code means for comparing each of said plurality of input values with a corresponding one of said benchmark values; and computer program code means for assessing the sustainability of said development based on an outcome of said comparison. 17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein: said computer program code means for comparing comprises computer program code means for generating a score for each input value that is representative of the performance of said input value relative to the corresponding benchmark value; and said computer program code means for assessing comprises computer program code means for assessing said scores against corresponding pre-determined target values. 18. The computer program product of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein corresponding ones of said benchmark values and said input values relate to a resource consuming aspect of a development. 669188.doc -32- 19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein said benchmark values are Sbased on at least one source selected from the group of sources consisting of: baseline resource and utility data; policy decisions; and published standards. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein said development comprises one or more residential dwelling/s selected from the group of residential dwellings consisting of: detached dwellings; villas; townhouses; and multi-unit apartments. 21. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein said sustainability indices include one or more indices from the group of indices consisting of: a landscape index that promotes urban renewal over greenfield developments; a social index that promotes affordable, adaptable and accessible housing; a transport index that promotes reduced car parking provision where public transport is available; a water index that promotes water efficient fittings and appliances; a stormwater index that recognises downstream infrastucture and natural systems; an energy index that promotes energy efficient fittings and appliances; a waste and recycling index that promotes reuse and recycling; a materials index that promotes building materials that can be reused and/or recycled; and an indoor amenity index that promotes material selection that minimises indoor air pollution. ;o 22. The computer program product of any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein said development comprises a development proposal. 23. The method of claim 3, wherein said sustainability indices include one or more indices from the group of indices consisting of: 669188 -33- a landscape index; a social index; a transport index; a water index; a stormwater index; an energy index; a waste and recycling index; a materials index; and an indoor amenity index. 24. The system of claim 11, wherein said sustainability indices include one or more indices from the group of indices consisting of: a landscape index; a social index; a transport index; a water index; a stormwater index; an energy index; a waste and recycling index; a materials index; and an indoor amenity index. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein said sustainability indices include one or more indices from the group of indices consisting of: a landscape index; a social index; a transport index; a water index; a stormwater index; an energy index; a waste and recycling index; a materials index; and an indoor amenity index. 669188 -34- 26. The method of claim 1, wherein two or more of said sustainability indices are linked by a mathematical formula such that a change in input value relating to one sustainability index results in a change in input value of one or more of the other sustainability indices. 27. The system of claim 9, wherein two or more of said sustainability indices are linked by a mathematical formula such that a change in input value relating to one sustainability index results in a change in input value of one or more of the other sustainability indices. 28. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein two or more of said sustainability indices are linked by a mathematical formula such that a change in input value relating to one sustainability index results in a change in input value of one or more of the other sustainability indices. 29. A method for assessing the social, economic and/or environmental sustainability of a development, said method substantially as herein described with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. A system for assessing the social, economic and/or environmental sustainability of a development substantially as herein described with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. 31. A computer program product having a computer readable medium having a computer program recorded therein for executing a method of assessing the social, economic and/or environmental sustainability of a development, said method substantially as herein described with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS FIFTH DAY OF MARCH 2004 Director-General of the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resouces Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON&FERGUSON 669188.doc