Capital Development Guidelines

Victorian Government Policies and Documents

• Reporting of Office-Based Environmental Impacts by Government Departments 
  Guidance to Financial reporting Direction FRD24
  
  
• Growing Victoria Together
  Dated November 2001, in Growing Victoria Together, the Government sets out its commitment to balancing economic, social and environmental goals, and to governing in a way which values these goals equally.  The agenda set down in Growing Victoria Together is being pursued at two levels.  Firstly, the Government is committed to ensuring that it’s own operations are undertaken effectively and efficiently.   In addition to the actions outlined below, all Government Departments will be required to implement a range of best practice tools for environmental management.  Secondly, all new Government policies will be developed and formally assessed according to their impacts on social, environmental and economic factors thereby ensuring that sustainability will be integrated into policy making and implementation. Government leadership by example in these areas will be a critical element in driving the adoption of sustainability more broadly by the Victorian community.
  
  
• Project Development and Construction Management Act, 1994
  
  
• Ministerial Direction #1
  Tendering Provisions for Public Construction
  
  
• Ministerial Direction #2
  Contractual Provisions for Public Construction
  
  
• Building Act, 1993
  Maintenance of Essential Services
  
  
• Financial Management Act, 1994
  
  
• Planning and Environment Act, 1987
  
  
• Moral Rights Legislation
  
  
• Essential Services Management Act
  
  
• Security of Payment Act
  
  

• Town planning controls and processes

• Probity and Disclosure
  The Victorian Government’s provisions for probity and disclosure in relation to public construction are contained in Ministerial Direction #3 and the accompanying guideline. The policy and guideline documents can be reviewed at the Victorian Government Purchasing Board site.
  

• Asset Management Policy, 2000
  The Government’s policy statement Sustaining Our Assets is concerned with maintaining a flexible portfolio of assets to enable services to be delivered effectively to the community and to provide a foundation for economic growth.
  The policy provides the foundation of all asset management related activities, such as planning, evaluation, acquisition, operation and ultimate retirement of an asset and identifies the principles for effective asset management as:
  • Service delivery needs form the basis of all asset management practices and decisions
  • An integrated approach to planning
  • Informed decision-making
  • Asset management within a whole of government policy framework
  • Accountability and responsibility.

• Partnerships Victoria (PV)
  The Government’s Partnerships Victoria policy seeks to create partnerships between the Government and private businesses that use the capabilities and skills of both to achieve improved value for money and deliver performance improvements and efficiency savings. The aim of the policy is to use innovative approaches to the provision of infrastructure and ancillary services to deliver significantly improved services to the community and maximise the social and economic returns from Government expenditure.

The policy applies to public infrastructure projects where the present value of payments to be made by the Government (and/or by consumers of a service) will exceed $10 million during the period of a partnership.

There is no single preferred form for projects entered into under the Partnerships Victoria policy. Projects should focus on the specification of the end result rather than the means of delivery.

The Partnerships Victoria policy sets the conditions for projects to be considered for PV procurement. Copies of the policy document can be downloaded from the Department of Treasury and Finance website. 

• Asset Management Series, November 1995
  The Asset Management Series sets out the principles, operational policies and practice for asset management by all Victorian Government departments and agencies. It also catalogues references to assist with asset management processes. The Guideline Series can also be viewed on the Department of Treasury and Finance website listed above.
  

• Asset Management: Building Standards and Condition Assessments Guideline
  The Government has a clear methodology to support decision making for capital investments. The Business Case Policy and Guidelines is the ‘principal linking mechanism between the Government’s planning and infrastructure strategies and the capital works approval and budget process’. The guidelines set out how investments are evaluated and provides a tool for managers to use in deciding investment priorities. The policy applies to all departments, irrespective of the source or level of funding. The Business Case process requires the option of private sector involvement in the project to be considered.
  Departments are required to rank all asset investment proposals based on the outcome of Business Cases.  This ranking is to be forwarded to Department of Treasury and Finance for a whole of Government ranking.  Projects are then recommended to Government via the Economic Review Committee. Projects that receive funding approval are announced in the Government’s Autumn Economic Statement and by Ministers.
  

• Code of Practice for the Building and Construction Industry, July 1994
  The Code of Practice for the Building and Construction Industry sets out the Government’s expectations for the building and construction industry.
  The Code requires all parties to:
  • Initiate and manage projects effectively
  • Satisfy legal requirements for probity and to avoid conflicts of interest
  • Employ consultants in a fair and equitable manner
  • Tender projects fairly
  • Administer contracts effectively.

  The Code may me viewed on the building publication section of the Building Commission  website: http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet have a list of all relevant State Government Acts. 

Environmental Policies

• The Sustainable State
  Released in November 2002, the  "sustainable State” is an ALP policy statement, which is Labor's plan for a greener Victoria.  The policy statement reiterates the 15% energy reduction target for government buildings set out the Victorian Greenhouse Strategy, and increases the Greenpower target from 5% to 10%.
  
  
• Victorian Greenhouse Strategy
  The Victorian Greenhouse Strategy, dated 2002, sets out the Governments response to global warming. The Strategy comprises a number of response action modules. The first action module governs governments own operations. It includes the following actions:
  • Action 1.1: Government energy consumption reduction target. Energy consumption in Government buildings will be reduced 15%
  • Action 1.2: Government purchase of Green Power. The Government will purchase 5% of its electricity in the form of Green Power. (Note that this target has been increased to 10% in the current Government policy announcement)
  • Action 1.3: Greenhouse emissions reduction target for Government vehicles. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with the operations of the Government's passenger vehicle fleet will be reduced by 10%.
  • Action 1.4: Government subscription to Greenfleet. A subscription to Greenfleet will be made for all passenger vehicles in the Government fleet.
  • Action 1.5: Consideration of greenhouse issues in Environment Impact Assessment procedures. The consideration of greenhouse gas emissions will be included in the guidelines for Victoria’s Environmental Impact Assessment process.
  • Action 1.6: Energy Efficiency in Major Projects. The Government will require all Major Project developments in Victoria to incorporate high levels of energy efficiency.
  • Action 1.7: Annual reporting by Government Departments/Agencies.  The Annual Reports will include information on energy consumption in buildings and related greenhouse emissions; the purchase of Green Power; greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicle use; and actions taken during the year to reduce energy use in buildings and the Government's vehicle fleet.
    
    
• Energy Efficient Government Building Policy
  Dated November 2001, Energy Efficient Government Buildings was produced by the Sustainable Energy Authority and details requirements for the 15% energy reduction and 5% Green Power purchase.
  
  
• Cabinet Directive Environment Management Systems
  In February 2002, Cabinet announced its policy requiring Departments to adopt an Environment Management System  (EMS), develop an environment improvement plan including waste reduction targets, comply with a Green Purchasing Policy, report annually on environmental performance, and audit their EMS. This policy applies to all Departments' office-based facilities.
  
  
• Victorian Government Environment Management Systems Training Schedule
  EPA Victoria hosted one whole day and five half-day training workshops for Government Departments from March to August 2003.
  Training workshops provided guidance and practical assistance to Governmental Departments for development and implementation of an EMS. Six, 2 hour forums were held at EPA in between workshops to provide extra support.
  
  
• Environmental Management System/Environmental Reporting Frameworks
  Under this initiative, Victorian Government Departments will be required to adopt an Environment Management System  (EMS), develop an environment improvement plan which includes waste reduction targets, comply with a Green Purchasing Policy, report annually on their environmental performance, and audit their EMS.
  This initiative only applies to Departments' office based facilities.  It does not apply to Agencies.
  From 2003-04, it is required that Departments report on their performance in reducing their office-based environmental impacts, including energy use, waste production, paper consumption, transportation, water consumption and environmental purchasing.
  
  
• DSE Environmentally Sustainable Design and Construction Principles and Guidelines
  This provides comprehensive, leading edge strategies for reducing the environmental impact of building design, construction and operational activities, for both new constructions and renovations.
  The Guidelines are to be used in all building projects undertaken by the DSE to ensure the integration of ecological sustainability into the design and construction process for these.

Other Relevant ALP Policy Statements

• Energy for the Future
  Labor's plan for energy and minerals
  
  
• Water for the Future
  Labor's plan to secure Victoria's future water needs Reducing Melbourne's drinking water use per capita by 15 per cent by 2010; and Recycling 20 per cent of Melbourne's "waste" water by 2010
  
  
• Linking Victoria
  Labor's plan for a safe, efficient and reliable transport
  
  
• Melbourne 2030
  Sets the vision for Melbourne's future for the next 30 years and aims to ensure that land-use and transport planning and investment always contribute to economic, social and environmental goals.
  Note: These documents were current at 2004, and the most relevant/recent policy documents should be sought for reference if necessary.
  

Capital Management Guidelines and Policy Statements

Fire Risk Management Policies

• DHS Fire Risk Management Guidelines
  The DHS (CMB) Fire Risk Management Guidelines (Series 7) have been established to ensure that the existing facilities are upgraded and new facilities are built to a level that will meet current fire safety standards for clients/patients, staff and visitors.
  Due consideration should be given to this series of guidelines (particularly where the provision of inpatient/residential accommodation is critical).

Occupational Health and Safety Policies

• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004