Eurobodalla Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy

FACT SHEET 2
Planning Controls
Eurobodalla Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy
What are Planning Controls?
Planning controls are legal instruments made under the Environmental Planning and
Assessment Act 1979. They consist of local environmental plans (LEPs), regional
environmental plans (REPs) and state environmental planning policies (SEPPs), which
describe the current planning status and/or future developments of an area. LEPs are made by
Council and dictate the types of developments allowed in each zone of a local government
area.
Development control plans (DCPs) are detailed guidelines that illustrate the controls that apply
to a particular type of development or in a particular area. A DCP refines or supplements a
REP or LEP.
Urban water needs are dictated largely by local environmental planning, urban subdivision
designs, and building designs, before the householder exercises choice.
Council has the opportunity to play an important role in reducing future water consumption.
This may be achieved through the use of planning controls, for example, that mandate the
installation of water efficient appliances and water sensitive gardens, through its role as the
determining authority for the majority of developments in the area.
Over the last decade many councils have developed planning frameworks to reduce water
consumption and to minimise stormwater runoff. Incorporated into this framework is the water
sensitive urban design concept (fact sheet 1).
Examples
Eurobodalla Shire Council, through its Residential Design and Development Guidelines DCP
and building codes, encourages the use of energy efficient fixtures and appliances. This
program also indirectly encourages improved water use efficiency. Installing AAA rated shower
roses, for example, saves hot water and therefore energy for heating. However, the present
focus of the DCP is energy abatement and does not explicitly mention water conservation.
Benefits
Provides a strong conservation message to the community
Reduces pollutant loads of receiving waters
Reducing or delaying large infrastructure costs both up and downstream (e.g. size of mains
and STP augmentations)
Allows Council to exercise discretion on which end uses and areas of the water cycle to
mandate
Allows Council to set controls before market forces influence customer’s purchasing decisions
of appliances
Increases environmental benefits through better planning, water and energy use
Reduced greenhouse gas emission
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