Draft Environmentally Sustainable Development Policy
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We’re seeking community feedback on our Draft Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) Policy.
What is the ESD Policy?
The ESD Policy will assist Indigo Shire in working towards achieving best practice ESD outcomes in subdivisions and development. The policy will facilitate development that minimises environmental impacts and encourages environmentally sustainable built form and subdivision design.
The policy will apply to planning permit applications for residential and non-residential development, and residential subdivisions or more than two lots, in accordance with the thresholds detailed in this policy. The policy will not create a planning permit trigger where one does not already exist, and will only be utilised where a planning permit is already required.
Why this Policy Matters
Indigo Shire has a long history of interest in promoting climate adaptation, climate resilience and sustainable design, and the Council declared a climate emergency in 2019.
Indigo Shire currently does not have a local ESD Policy in the Indigo Planning Scheme and is effectively being left behind when it comes to progress in achieving greater climate resilience through planning policy. Council is working towards including an ESD Policy in the Indigo Planning Scheme to better align with other rural councils and take the important steps towards elevating ESD requirements in buildings and subdivisions.
Key Features of the Draft ESD Policy
The objective of the Draft ESD Policy is to achieve best practice in ESD from the design stage through to construction and operation.
The Draft ESD Policy includes the following key strategies (a full list is included in the attached Draft ESD Policy):
Facilitate development that minimises environmental impacts.
Encourage environmentally sustainable development that is consistent with the type and scale of the development, responds to site opportunities and constraints, and provides whole of life benefits.
Reduce energy use through considered design measures such as building orientation, landscaping, shading and glazing of surfaces.
Reduce water use through appropriate design measures such as water efficient fixtures, appliances, equipment, irrigation and landscaping and encourage the appropriate use of alternative water sources.
Incorporate water sensitive urban design to improve the quality of stormwater runoff and reduce impacts on water systems and water bodies.
Design development to promote the use of walking, cycling and public transport, in that order, and minimise car dependency.
Protect and enhance biodiversity by incorporating natural habitats and planting indigenous vegetation.
Promote the use of fire-tolerant native vegetation species in both the public and private realm.
Policy Context
The Draft ESD Policy aligns with the following key documents:
Indigo Planning Scheme;
Indigo Urban Tree Canopy Strategy;
Climate Change Policy 2024;
Environment Strategy 2019;
Climate Emergency Strategic Action Plan 2020; and
Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2017-2021.
Provide Your Feedback
A copy of the Draft ESD Policy is available in the Documents section of this page.
Feedback closes at 5pm on Friday, 30 January 2026.
All submissions will be considered before the Policy is finalised.
We’re seeking community feedback on our Draft Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) Policy.
What is the ESD Policy?
The ESD Policy will assist Indigo Shire in working towards achieving best practice ESD outcomes in subdivisions and development. The policy will facilitate development that minimises environmental impacts and encourages environmentally sustainable built form and subdivision design.
The policy will apply to planning permit applications for residential and non-residential development, and residential subdivisions or more than two lots, in accordance with the thresholds detailed in this policy. The policy will not create a planning permit trigger where one does not already exist, and will only be utilised where a planning permit is already required.
Why this Policy Matters
Indigo Shire has a long history of interest in promoting climate adaptation, climate resilience and sustainable design, and the Council declared a climate emergency in 2019.
Indigo Shire currently does not have a local ESD Policy in the Indigo Planning Scheme and is effectively being left behind when it comes to progress in achieving greater climate resilience through planning policy. Council is working towards including an ESD Policy in the Indigo Planning Scheme to better align with other rural councils and take the important steps towards elevating ESD requirements in buildings and subdivisions.
Key Features of the Draft ESD Policy
The objective of the Draft ESD Policy is to achieve best practice in ESD from the design stage through to construction and operation.
The Draft ESD Policy includes the following key strategies (a full list is included in the attached Draft ESD Policy):
Facilitate development that minimises environmental impacts.
Encourage environmentally sustainable development that is consistent with the type and scale of the development, responds to site opportunities and constraints, and provides whole of life benefits.
Reduce energy use through considered design measures such as building orientation, landscaping, shading and glazing of surfaces.
Reduce water use through appropriate design measures such as water efficient fixtures, appliances, equipment, irrigation and landscaping and encourage the appropriate use of alternative water sources.
Incorporate water sensitive urban design to improve the quality of stormwater runoff and reduce impacts on water systems and water bodies.
Design development to promote the use of walking, cycling and public transport, in that order, and minimise car dependency.
Protect and enhance biodiversity by incorporating natural habitats and planting indigenous vegetation.
Promote the use of fire-tolerant native vegetation species in both the public and private realm.
Policy Context
The Draft ESD Policy aligns with the following key documents:
Indigo Planning Scheme;
Indigo Urban Tree Canopy Strategy;
Climate Change Policy 2024;
Environment Strategy 2019;
Climate Emergency Strategic Action Plan 2020; and
Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan 2017-2021.
Provide Your Feedback
A copy of the Draft ESD Policy is available in the Documents section of this page.
