Capital Planning and Investment

Five major ESD components for project application are required:

1. Establishment of project design ESD priorities
2. Performance targets, (eg buildings including Indoor Air Quality (IAQ))
3. Energy usage, savings and greenhouse emissions
4. Water and waste consumption, transport

5. ESD capital and recurrent asset operating costs.

ESD Strategic Design Principles

When scoping ESD projects the consultant and client shall identify an overall strategic approach based on an audit or assessment of the proposed site. The appropriateness of level of audit 1,2, or 3 shall be determined based on the level of complexity of the proposed project to support a sound business case. The ecological impact of capital works is to be reduced by incorporating a number of key ESD principles.  For each principle a minimum performance target is required and the project team is required to set project targets and monitor them throughout the project. 

Refer to Table: Sustainability Targets for a comprehensive list of benchmarks, targets and performance criteria.

Projects shall be scoped and incorporate building design, building systems, building materials and engineering infrastructure that are durable, facilitate low maintenance and reflect sound engineering and building design principles.

Scoping ESD

Key ESD elements for project application shall include:

Building Orientation

• Emphasis on passive and integrated ESD design principles, elements, material selection and building services including maximising access to fresh air, sunshine and natural daylight
• Optimising thermal building mass including optimal glazing to floor or wall ratios, insulation systems to building fabric and systems, optimising building orientation and consideration of building facade controls where appropriate
• ESD elements that enhance client / occupant well being including, (access to) natural light, solar access and improved indoor air quality.
• Use structure and architecture to reduce active heating and cooling.

Performance Benchmarks

• Establishment of appropriate energy performance benchmarks for intended use of the facility against targets as set out in Table 1
• Identification of recurrent operating costs for energy and building services
• Consideration of the total impact of energy saving strategies when evaluating options (lighting sensors may be integrated with mechanical systems to minimise unnecessary air conditioning of unoccupied spaces).

Indoor Air Quality and Materials Selection

• Use of building services and materials that have a significant recycled component and or can be recycled
• Consideration of Indoor Environmental Quality requirements in terms of materials and products with low volatile organic compound composition (VOC)

Water Management

• Consideration of water reuse, measures to reduce potable water consumption.
• Consideration of Water Sensitive design (WSD) principles where appropriate that enhance on site rainwater retention for landscape irrigation.

Back to top

Innovation, Technology and Building Management

• Consideration of new or innovative renewable energy technology such as chilled beams, solar chimneys, integrated geothermal energy systems and high efficiency closed loop chiller systems and BMS systems linked to weather forecasting devices.
• Consideration of design to facilitate operational waste management.
• Careful consideration should be given to the logical application of ESD elements and building systems for clinical, non-clinical, administrative and other general or specific use areas.
• Projects at existing facilities should further consider other plant, building services, major infrastructure, site layout and other associated elements for potential opportunity to reduce overall environmental site impact and services.
• Systems and mechanisms (BMS) that provide monitoring, management and reporting on energy / environmental performance.
• Where air-condition systems are proposed they shall be assessed in the context of system type. Design and sizing shall be reviewed against building orientation, thermal mass, glazing, area use functionality, electrical and mechanical efficiency and recurrent operating cost.

Note: Refer to IHEA practice notes for heating and cooling systems in health care facilities.

• Preference shall be given to cooling systems that favour or enhance passive design and those with minimal mechanical energy loads and recurrent operating costs.
• Recurrent operating costs for cooling systems shall be based on maintaining an internal ambient temperature of 23/24 degrees.

Note: in certain application OHS applications additional requirements for cooling may be required. Refer to applicable Australian Standards.

Environmental Rating Tools

Consultants also have at their disposal access to a number of design rating tools such as the GBCA Greenstar program for health care facilities. Where tools are being used consultants shall seek the highest performance rating available within the project budget.

Minium ESD Requirements / Business as Usual

The following initiatives are considered to be minimum requirements and not allocated against the ESD budget:

• Building Management Systems with front end monitoring
• External shading devices
• High efficiency motors
• Provision of solar hot water for domestic hot water, (primary systems 60% or pre heater systems 20%)
• Minium building insulation levels for ceiling, roof (3.5r), floor and wall (2.5r)
• Provision of High efficiency major plant and equipment (eg chillers, boilers, HVAC)
• High efficiency lighting (including digital lighting controllers to distribution boards where applicable and devices that enable facilities to be zoned)
• Provision of XL/PE/PVC sub main cabling
• Minimum Power factor Correction of .95
• Daylight elements (courtyards / atria) and zoning of lighting controls
• Economy cycle to all HVAC systems (where provided)
• Variable speed drives (where applicable)
• Water sensitive design involving rainwater harvesting and reuse
• Provision of AAA+ rated tap ware, shower and toilets and appliances
• Improved waste management systems that facilitate recycling and split waste
• Low/no VOC paints and building materials
• Zero Ozone depletion potential for all refrigerants
• Openable windows applicable to facilities not compromised by issues of patient care and infection control.

Performance Benchmarks & Targets

Performance targets to be applied to all capital works projects are as follows.

Refer to table: Sustainability Targets for additional information at the bottom of this page 

Energy

Water Conservation

Maximise the use of rainwater and grey water harvesting and reuse in operation for a range of applications such as landscape irrigation, toilet flushing and other needs.

Minimisation of Fossil Fuel Usage associated with Transport

Provide tele-conferencing and/or video conferencing facilities for facilities with greater than 20 staff. Provide bicycle storage racks.

Preservation of Natural Features of Site & Appropriate Landscaping

Consideration shall be given for effective utilisation of natural site features. Provision of native vegetation shall be considered against shading and protection, water conservation, potential fire risk or personal injury or damage to buildings in the event of hazards or accidents.

Landscaping shall consist of appropriate low water tolerant vegetation integrated into overall site and building layout. Strategic use of deciduous trees and other vegetation to maximise solar access or retention for seasonal variations shall be considered.

Landscaping should be sited to assist overall facility aesthetics and enhance patient well-being. Proximity of vegetation to buildings shall be sited to reduce the incidents of building structural failure and hazards for building services.

Building Materials Selection

The level of embodied energy used in the construction process shall be considered with preference for materials, technology and products with lowered embodied energy used or where additional embodied energy used in the production process delivers substantial long term environmental benefits.

Consideration shall be given to products with lower V.O.C emissions

Note: Refer to Eco Specifier for further information.

Purchasing Policy & Equipment Selection

Water & energy efficiency should be a requirement for goods such as computers, printers, videos, washers and other consumables especially those items that require ongoing energy for operation as well as those generating heat load.

Waste Minimisation and Disposal Considerations

At least 90% by weight of any demolition materials should be the target to be re-used or recycled. Consideration should be given to providing space and facilities (eg compactor) to sorting and consolidating waste where reuse / recycling is not an option.

Enhancement of Indoor Environmental Quality

For office areas >75% of floor areas shall have openable windows and 90% of NLA to have direct line of sight to glazing to outside. In service delivery areas openable windows shall be provided where there is no possibility to compromise patient care and infection control.

Local Environmental Management

An operational manual shall be developed outlining key building, building services and associated systems that promote effective daily environmental management . The manual shall be designed to create better synergy between building systems and occupant management of systems.

Scheduling of Maintenance and Planning of Asset and Building Management Systems

Maintenance plan to be provided in accordance with expected life of item of plant, reticulation system, control etc eg BMS < 10 year.

Integrated Transport Planning (ITP's)

An ITP shall be developed during master planning. Integrated transport planning is a process of design and development that considers: the proposed site land uses, the context of the proposed development and how the development will be accessed by all transport modes.

Sustainable transport outcomes are to be sought by:

• Enhancing public transport access and considering how to connect and integrate the site with public transport networks
• Providing dedicated access for walkers (and cyclists where appropriate) between the site and public transport stops and connecting to other local paths
• Providing safe, secure and convenient 'permeable‘ flow through the site
• Providing parking to an adequate but limited level
• Setting targets for all modes
• Considering and mitigating environmental factors (eg noise and pollution) associated with access and egress by site users, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, if required.

ITP - Key Aims

Provide for high levels of safe access to, and egress from, the site for all users, including people with prams and people with disabilities.

Maximise access by sustainable transport modes (walking, cycling and public transport) and then to determine best scenarios for on-site parking.

Assess the needs of service vehicles, freight and commercial delivery vehicles, particularly to minimise the conflicts with other traffic.

Develop a sustainable transport approach to reflect modal priorities, appropriate to the use for:

• Pedestrians
• People with disabilities
• Public transport users and cyclists
• Commercial and emergency vehicles
• Private cars.

ITP Deliverables

Provide estimates (empirical or otherwise referenced) of the expected demand for travel by each of the following groups: people who work at the site, live at the site, may visit the site; and for freight, service vehicles and waste contractors to the site:

• Provide a framework and design measures to encourage the use of walking, cycling and public transport
• Set and support appropriate targets for each transport mode's share of travel, including public transport's mode share relative to other motorized modes
• Detail how the proposed design gives priority to accessible and sustainable travel patterns to local and regional activities
• Detail any off-site initiatives including development of walking, cycling or road network connections and, for large major developments, provision of public transport priority
• Provide detailed demand management plans, such as ‘green travel plans' or a program for comprehensive TravelSmart activities, consistent with the proposed mode share targets that are:
  • Supported by relevant transport operators
  • Specify any funding arrangements required for implementation.

Section 2: Table: Sustainability Targets

Key Targets for Ecological Impact Categories is viewable by opening the attached PDF document at the bottom of this page.

ESD & Cost planning

Existing Facilities

DHS allocates 2.5% of the capital development budget for investment to improve efficiencies in existing building infrastructure . A  further 2.5% of budget is allocated for new ESD initiatives.  A total of 5% is therefore available for environmental works, which can be leveraged between infrastructure and ESD. Key assessment criteria for determining the 5% will include:

• Transparency that outlines effective use of the nominated percentage of the capital cost allocated for ESD provision
• Initiatives which identify and support innovation
• Identification of payback periods for identified ESD elements
• Savings identified that are over or above “business as usual” or typical project components
• Identification and reporting of recurrent costs and energy savings for initiatives identified.

In assessing ESD options for inclusion in projects both capital and recurrent implications shall be clearly established.

• Sustainable practices should be adopted as part of design not as ‘optional extras’
• Whole of life costs are to be considered for all project items, as the cost of disposal at the end of a piece of plant’s life could be more than additional costs for selecting another item.
• Sustainability and risk management are inseparable from cost management and these topics should be discussed when value management workshops are held throughout projects. 

Notes: Final determination on budget ESD is subject to approval from CMB. When analysing options simple payback analysis method and benefits should include potential savings incurred by services.

Cost plan

Checklists require the user to complete a column relating to the cost plan, the method for which is described in Sustainability Cost Planning.  This process also assists in the development of cost plans and the management of budgets by:

• Outlining Victorian Government and DHS budget policies.
• Providing evidence to secure funding for sustainable initiatives to discourage ‘cost cutting’ processes which often lead to the exclusion of such initiatives in the design development process.

An electronic version of Sustainability Cost Planning is available to be downloaded from the DHS website 

Sustainability Checklists

Checklists are to be completed for all project stage.  They detail specific sustainability-related steps that are to be included throughout various project phases, and provide:

• Appropriate information and strategies for assessing a site’s original environmental condition and opportunities
• Identification of which opportunities are standard practice, leading technology or demonstrational (including which are of most importance to DHS facilities).
• Strategies for ensuring ESD incorporation.
• Evidence supporting sustainability criteria has been achieved.

These Checklists should be completed and following assessment by DHS, measures agreed shall be and signed off. Electronic versions are available to be down loaded from the DHS website

Stakeholder Surveys and User Group Workshops

At the commencement of each project a ‘stakeholder survey’ is to be undertaken. Workshops including the entire project team and end users are required at a number of stages throughout the design process.  This is to:

• Ensure that there is communication between the people designing facilities and those who will be managing them. 
• Aid in the process of achieving end user sign off on the sustainability checklists and assist in the correct use of the facility, ensuring ‘user buy in’ to the process.
• Set sustanability targets for the project, shall be reviewed and monitored throughout the project. Refer Table: Sustainability Targets

Note: Workshops and survey do not preclude other forms of communication between parties. Refer to the stakeholder survey. It is intended that the results of surveys will be incorporated into documentation for the project team, and will be used to establish maintenance and operations plans.

Maintenance Strategy

A ten year maintenance strategy for all plant and equipment is to be provided, and is to address issues arising from sustainability stakeholder surveys and user group workshops.  Maintenance is essential for the sustainability of any facility. The maintenance strategy shall include:

• Fine tuning of the building and plant for occupancy and operation
• Regular routine maintenance to be provided.

An energy management continual improvement process, as outlined in AS/NZS ISO 14000: Energy Management Systems (EMS) shall be developed and include facilities to monitor and report energy consumption appropriately.

Living Sustainably - Staff and User Group Training

To ensure the success of sustainability initiatives, and to increase staff ‘buy in’ to the correct operation of any capital works, initial training sessions must be held at the commissioning / occupancy of the facility.The Development of an ESD facility user manual for operational staff and the responsibility of ongoing training and awareness will remain with facility management. Note: Refer to the Stakeholder survey and MEPS for further information.

Reporting and Monitoring

The DHS require that consultancies report on the predicted ‘Business as usual’ energy usage of a building, and the expected incremental increase of each energy saving measure implemented as supported by:

1. Table: ESD deliverables
2. Sustainability checklists
3. Post occupancy evaluation will allow the predicated and measured values to be compared.  In the case where there is a significant difference, evaluation should be undertaken to account for this.

Refer to Project Implementation Flow Charts and ESD Consultant Brief for further detail. And See the DHS website for case studies.  

ESD Outcome Deliverables

DHS require that consultancies for capital development projects report and monitor on sustainability through the project, as indicated in the implementation plans. This table shall be developed during the business case / master planning stage with the intent to establish broad ESD direction and potential project application.

Table: ESD Outcome Deliverables (Do not include Business As Usual (BAU) items)

Project Monitoring and Evaluation (MEP)

In order to facilitate government Energy Reduction Target policy all projects shall be delivered with a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (MEP).

Key evaluation elements shall include:

1. Evaluation of key performance targets - Energy, Water and Waste.
2. Identification of recurrent costs for the facility by key functional area.
3. Identification of qualitative project performance and building outcomes from operational staff and key client groups. Key thematic elements shall include:
   • Improved facility performance (service delivery)
   • Comfort levels (internal temperatures - seasonal variation)
   • Indoor environment (natural lighting, ventilation, building materials)

MEPs shall be designed to measure or monitor:

1. Actual building performance against estimated performance ESD target as per table 3 ESD outcomes and specifically those included in the project against the ESD allowance.
2. be designed in association with building services engineering to allow for flexible and easy data collection. (Linked to the Business Management System (BMS) and or remote monitoring).

The evaluation period will be for a minium 12 months commencing from building commissioning and occupancy. It is advisable that the ESD consultant is also involved or consulted during the commissioning of major plant, equipment and building services. The ESD consultant is responsible for delivery of the MEP.