CockburnCoast - Western Australian Planning Commission

CockburnCoast
Chapter 8
Sustainability
8.1 Sustainability framework
The sustainability framework is an extension of the Directions 2031
philosophy and the regional framework. It acknowledges social,
cultural, environmental and economic inter-dependencies and the
challenge of long-term thinking and planning. The sustainability
framework, therefore, focuses on developing a resilient Cockburn
coast that can adapt to change by building strong communities and
designing flexibility into its economy, infrastructure and buildings.
The Cockburn coast sustainability framework in collaboration with
the regional and urban design framework seeks to translate the
vision, “to create a vibrant, landmark destination that is connected,
integrated, diverse and accessible,” into reality.
Sustainability themes for the district structure plan area within the
Cockburn coast are to:
• encourage best practice design, technologies and
concepts;
• create diversity in uses, housing, people and experiences;
• foster innovation in the planning of new communities; and
• generate an integrated, connected, efficient and exciting
new urban area that extends on the existing natural assets
of the location.
The themes are a statement of what is to be achieved and have
been couched in terms which are measurable. The Cockburn coast
sustainability framework builds on the regional framework and the
above core themes to promote long-term sustainability at various
stages of the development process.
The sustainability framework includes an electronic tool to assess
structure plan options and rate their level of sustainability. The
assessment tool draws together, in a comprehensive fashion, City of
Cockburn and State Government policies that are relevant to major
development in the Cockburn coast. Its development has required
the formulation of precise definitions and measures, resulting in
greater clarity of the expectations for development outcomes. As
such it fosters a consistent and coordinated response to major
developments and for development proponents.
In addition, the sustainability framework has been developed to
ensure implementation of the regional framework measures and
targets and sustainability principles at local and subdivision stages
through a series of strategies. Development proposals and
programs can be measured by the tool to facilitate triple bottom line
benefits through all stages of structure planning and subdivision. In
the future, agencies and the community will also be able to assess
and monitor the sustainable performance of the project and its
component parts.
8.2 Sustainability framework
overview
The Cockburn coast sustainability framework is a matrix with five
basic elements:
• the set of development elements (the structure plan or
development proposal);
• the set of criteria (principles and strategies) to evaluate
the elements;
• numerical weights on each set of the criteria based on
their relevance to the overall principles for the
development area;
• numerical assessment (measures) of how well each option
satisfies each criterion; and
• a rating system (score) for proposals, which exceed the
standard development option.
The sustainability framework is based on the regional framework
and on a set of guiding principles (and development strategies)
formulated by the design team. The strategies were assembled
from various sources including national, state and regional policies.
The structure plan concepts were assessed using a set of
measures, which include targets. The level of compliance or
departure from the measures and targets is identified in the tool. A
weighted score is given for each response and a final score or rating
enables the proponent and the assessor to consider modifications
or areas of performance excellence.
The purpose of the sustainability framework in the first instance was
to enable comparison of various district structure plan options. It is
expected that the framework will now be used to monitor the
progress of the project and to ensure that it meets sustainability
objectives. The flow chart (Figure 8.1) illustrates the process for
designing the Cockburn coast sustainability framework.
102 district structure plan