SUSTAINABILITY REPORT - Landcom

GLOSSARY
AVERAGE RECURRENCE INTERVAL (ARI)
The long-term average number of years
between the occurrence of a flood as
big as (or larger than) the selected
event. For example, floods with a
discharge as great as (or greater than)
the 20-year ARI flood will occur on
average once every 20 years.
BASIX
The Building Sustainability Index is a
web-based planning tool designed to
assess the potential performance of
new homes against a range of
sustainability indices: landscape,
stormwater, water, thermal comfort
and energy.
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO 2 )
Carbon dioxide is the most significant
greenhouse gas, not because it is the
strongest but because it is released in
such vast quantities, mainly as a result
of burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and
gas). Concentrations in the atmosphere
have risen rapidly (by 30%) since the
industrial revolution.
CARBON DIOXIDE EQUIVALENT (CO 2 -E)
Greenhouse gas emissions which
include other gases (for example
methane) are often measured in tonnes
of carbon dioxide equivalent, which
means the equivalent amount of
CO 2 emissions which would have the
same effect.
DIPNR
Department of Planning, Infrastructure
and Natural Resources.
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Greenhouse gases absorb heat and
warm the lower atmosphere, although
they make up very little of it by volume
(less than 1%). In the absence of
greenhouse gases the average global
temperature would be about -18 o C, and
the earth would be uninhabitable.
However, since industrialisation the
concentration of greenhouse gases has
been rising, mainly as a result of
burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas).
CO 2 levels, for example, have increased
by 30%. This is causing the climate to
change, and the global temperature to
rise. The more common greenhouse
gases are carbon dioxide (CO 2) and
methane.
GREYWATER
Domestic wastewater excluding toilet
waste but may include wastewater
arising from a hand basin, kitchen,
bath, shower and laundry.
MACROPHYTE ZONE
An area of plants such as rushes and
reeds that improve water quality by
trapping fine particles and nutrients
such as nitrogen and phosphorus.
MASTERPLAN
An interpretation of the planning
controls and urban design principles for
a site setting the framework for future
development.
MODERATE INCOME HOUSING
Housing that is affordable to those
households on incomes between
$45,000 and $68,000 per year (2003
dollars).
NatHERS
The Nationwide House Energy Rating
Scheme is a software application that
simulates the energy consumption of a
house design. Developed by the CSIRO
in consultation with Australian
governments, NatHERS provides a
rating of between 0 and 5 stars to
show the potential of a house to be
energy efficient. The rating is based on
a detailed computer simulation of the
house using hourly weather data.
A rating of 0 represents a poorly
performing house, while a rating of
5 is excellent.
NPWS
National Parks and Wildlife Service.
OHS&R
Occupational Health, Safety and
Rehabilitation.
POTABLE WATER
Water that is drinkable.
RIPARIAN CORRIDOR
A riparian corridor is the land directly
adjacent to or surrounding a natural or
artificial waterway, including rivers,
intermittent or permanent creeks and
streams, wetlands and lakes. The
corridors provide a crucial link between
land and water ecosystems.
RTA
Roads and Traffic Authority.
STAKEHOLDER
Any individual or group that has a
vested interest in the success of an
organisation in delivering intended
results and maintaining the viability of
the organisation’s products and
services. For example, the local
community is a stakeholder in a major
construction development.
Stakeholders influence programs,
products, and services.
TERRESTRIAL
Living or growing on land rather than
in water or air.
TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE (TBL)
The concept of considering not just the
economic value a corporation creates,
but also how its activities impact
society and the environment.
WATER SENSITIVE URBAN DESIGN
(WSUD)
WSUD refers to the design principles
that aim to reduce the impact of
interactions between the urban built
form (including urban landscapes) and
the urban water cycle as defined by the
three urban water streams of potable
water, wastewater and stormwater.
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