At the recent BSFG General Meeting - BSFG Review on Thursday, February 26, it was decided to combine the Ecological Sustainable and Design Group with the Greening and Cooling Group.

​This new group has yet to be amalgamated and renamed, and there are four members of the group.

There has been a suggestion to incorporate the Sustainable Farming Systems Action Group into the combined ESD Group.

Since the review, two additional people have indicated an interest in joining this new group.

The group members need to meet to decide on their aims and objectives and come up with a new name.
​
Howard Bartlett has expressed an interest in becoming the convenor of this new group.
 
Peter Maddock and Howard Bartlett May 28, 2026

Howard Bartlet is an apology tonight as he is this evening attending in Wangaratta the Voices For Indi Event "Sold! " Panel discussion with;

• Mark Humphries, comedian, housing advocate and host of SOLD!
• David Pocock, Independent Senator for the ACT
• Helen Haines MP, Independent Federal Member for Indi
• Celia Adams, CEO of Beyond Housing

Also, screening is the documentary SOLD! Who Broke the Great Australian Dream? - a sharp, insightful and surprisingly funny look at how we got here and where real change might come from, https://binge.com.au/shows/show-sold-who-broke-the-australian-dream!32250.

​Sustainable Living requires Secure Affordable Housing.

Howard has put a lot of effort this last year into submissions to Victoria housing development projects.  He will be continuing his interest in the Sustainable Development Interest Group.

We seem to be currently stalled on SEFF 2026.  Rhona Rose has contacted a group of young people to see if they would like to take the project on, however many are busy with other activities.  I personally feel busy enough to say I am reluctant to commit to SEFF 2026.
SEFF 2026 Funding is available from Swanpool Landcare.  Swanpool Cinema will soon require confirmation if SEFF 2026 is going ahead.

I am continually reading about Ecological Sustainability. Next Friday March 6th I am going to a field day organised by Serenity Hill on her Puckawidgee property at Warrenbayne, Reading your Land for Landscape Rehydration with Adrian Drew, Tarwyn Park Training,  https://www.tarwynparktraining.com.au/about-us.  Helping The Planet, One Landscape At A Time.  The best solution for major climate recovery has been with us from the very beginning...Peter Andrews.
https://events.humanitix.com/reading-your-land-for-landscape-rehydration.

On Water, The New Water Paradigm, https://sdgs.un.org/partnerships/water-climate-healing-new-water-paradigm.

And a new report from the UN, “Global Water Bankruptcy: Living Beyond Our Hydrological Means in the Post-Crisis Era”, https://www.unwater.org/news/unu-inweh-report-global-water-bankruptcy.

Peter Maddock.

In March this year BSFG member Howard Bartlett made a submission to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the supply of Housing in Regional Victoria.  See article about this submission below on 28/3/ 3025.

The report on the Parliamentary Inquiry was released November 2025.

This report can be downloaded here.

Town Planning is a process of describing categories of land use.
 
White – No Planning Permit is Required. Conditions set out in Planning Schemes can apply.
 
Black – Prohibited. No Planning Permit can be granted.
 
Grey- A Planning Permit can be considered.

• Procedures like advertising, objections and appeals are described and Decision Guidelines are provided.
• Referral authorities are provided an opportunity to make a submission.

 

• If a party is not happy the matter is arbitrated by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal (VCAT)

 
The discretionary (Grey) uses vary for each zone eg Industry, Residential, Farming, Public Purposes etc.
 
National Housing Accord
 
The National Housing Accord is an agreement across all levels of government, institutional investors, and the construction sector to address housing supply and affordability.
 
All states and territories committed to undertaking expedited zoning, planning, and land release to deliver the joint commitment on social and affordable housing in well-located areas.
 
Changes:

• Some residential design standards have been made Deemed to Comply which means that a proposal will be approved if the Standard is met.
• The rights of objectors to appeal is removed.
• The changes relate to apartments and row houses.

 
The Minister for Planning not the Council considers the Applications Some things stay the same
 
While the Department Planners focus on the Big Build in Metro Melbourne, the existing provisions relating to residential subdivisions have not changed.
 
Councils consider Planning Applications and decide permit conditions.
 
Conditions tailored to local supply and labour costs can require:

• Building Envelopes to be endorsed to form part of the subdivision permit.
• Registration of building envelopes with new titles.

 
When the permit issues owners can provide the building envelopes to interested buyers.
 
The buyer can instruct a house designer prepare compliant plans and specifications and then invite builders and landscapers to quote.
 
Housing delivered this way does not need a developer. It needs collaboration and independent advice.

Ecological Sustainable Design and Development Group Actions.
 
A Parliamentary Inquiry into the supply of homes in Regional Victoria.
 
The submission adopted by the BSFG Committee Meeting on 27 March 2025 provides evidence that vacant residential lots ranging in size from 160m2 to 600m2 are considered a viable option for some owners, designers and builders.
 
It is published on the BSFG Website.
 
Requirements

• The price is affordable
• Identical lots are located side by side.
• Building envelopes are approved as part of the Planning Permit to Subdivide.
• Building Envelopes are registered on title.

 
B Benalla West Stage 1.
 
Homes Victoria asked nearby neighbours, community organisations, local council and other stakeholders to provide feedback on the design plans for the new homes planned for Benalla West – Stage One.
 
The proposal is to increase the number of houses from 20 to 48
 
A seventeen-page response was provided by BSFG on 4 June 2025 (the deadline).
 
Response
 
North Facing Windows
 
19 (40% of 48) houses did not provide north-facing windows.
 
Gardening access to the rear yard
 
29 (60% of 48 houses) forced gardening access through the house.
 
Car Parking for 48- 96 cars will require on street parking:

• Existing and new road reserve widths of at least 18.0m
• Street parking at right angles
• Room for advanced trees with a growing canopy.

Orientation of roads and lots
 
The exhibited plans provided new roads and lanes

• New east west roads should provide frontages on the north and south side.
• Party or touching side walls on side boundaries will have no windows.
• Windows and doors can face north onto sunny private yards.
• A new 12.0m wide road abutting the south boundary of Waminda Park will enable north facing windows to overlook the park

The Action Group Report summarises the Homes West proposal, provides analysis and recommendations in relation to:

• House Design
• Subdivision Design
• Sales and Marketing

It can be provided on request to [email protected]
 
Howard Bartlett
24 June 2025 

Recently BSFG and ESD member Howard Bartlett made submissions to several Victorian Government enquiries on Housing; Housing In Regional Victoria, and the Homes Victoria Benalla West Consultation. (Refer Part 2 below)  My impression is that Howard is making progress on getting recognition for Sustainable Design concepts in housing and is submitting a separate AGM report on his work.
​
An important aspect of housing is firstly having available housing you can afford to buy or rent then being able to afford living there.  Many new homes seem to cater for narrow economic and generational sectors of our economy.  BSFG member Kate Holmes and the Benalla Homelessness Response Group Inc have also made a submission to the Housing In Regional Victoria Enquiry and the group should be congratulated on taking on this both local and national problem.

This year we had a sold-out screening of the 2025 Swanpool Environmental Film Festival which BSFG jointly partners with Swanpool Landcare. Themes covered at the 2025 festival included planetary boundaries, ecological economics, sustainable farming, protecting native forests and the oceans.  The festival program and a summary report of the festival are on the BSFG website.  This year we were most grateful for the local and well-known Ramey Hengen taking on the role of festival MC. Ramey filled the role with warmth, humour and diligence based on his prior research.

After the film Climate Extremes, Ecological Economist Dr Phil Lawn opened the festival with his renamed presentation "Climate change, degrowth, and saving the world to save us!".  You can download Phil’s presentation from the BSFG website, or listen to on Spotify, or Apple Podcast.  No need to sign in.  Audio recording by Shepperton's Robert McLean of Climate Conversations.

Phil mentions in his talk the ecological footprint. As a scientific indicator of Ecological Sustainability, the EF shows that in 2025 humanity’s global Ecological Footprint exceeded Biocapacity by 1.8, needing 1.8 earths to sustain it.  While in Australia EF/person exceeds global BC per person by 4.9. See overshoot at https://overshoot.footprintnetwork.org/.

Following afternoon tea was Ep1 of the film Roots So Deep looking at regenerative cattle grazing compared to conventional agriculture in the US.  MC Ramey then led Local farmer and friend Mark Foletta through aspects of managing the family farm at Yin Barun.  After a short break we saw  Takayna- The Heart Of Lutruwita, a journey to the vast and threatened landscapes of Australia’s largest temperate rainforest in Tasmania.

Following the dinner break we saw the new David Attenborough film Ocean highlighting the damage bottom trawling is doing to the marine landscapes and ecosystems. David also pointed out that given a chance these ecosystems can recover rapidly, and he concludes that "If we save the sea, we save the world. The ocean, our final frontier". A fitting closing thought for the festival.  Let’s hope there is a chance for recovery of these ocean and other ecosystems.


Peter Maddock for ESDD Action Group
26 June 2025

HOWARD BARLETT'S BSFG RESPONSE TO THE HOMES VICTORIA BENALLA WEST CONSULTATION, DEADLINE IS 4 JUNE 2025.
You can respond directly to Homes Victoria here
 https://engage.vic.gov.au/benalla-west-housing
The concept plan provides, (see plan concepts in the photo gallery below).
48 Dwellings:
One Bedroom Homes (25)
2 Bedroom Units (15)
3 Bedroom Units (8)
Plan 1 provide an outline of the site.
Plan 2 shows existing road access
Plan 4 shows the existing road reserve widths. The existing road reserves are 18m and 16m wide. They contain an 8.0m and 10.0m wide road pavements, footpaths driveways and power poles, leaving little room for advanced trees and the establishment of a tree canopy.

The Concept Plan provided does not comply with the BSFG position that all living room windows face north and be protected from shading at noon in Mid-Winter. 19 dwellings face east or west.

Houses overlooking Waminda Park
Lots 36 and 37 on the northeast side of a driveway have views across the driveway to the park.
Lots 27 to 35 (9 lots) back onto Waminda Park.
Four overlook the park from the second storey. (lots 29,30,31&32)
Five are single-story dwellings (lots 27,28,33,34 &35)

BSFG has submitted to the Inquiry into the  Supply of Housing in Regional Victoria, link to this submission.
This proposal is in line with the BSFG submission regarding the shortage of accommodation for single and couple renters.
The consultation does not clarify if any houses will be available to buy as house and land or as completed homes.
The concept plan does not reflect BFSG priorities regarding:

• Orientation
• Room for advanced trees and the establishment of a tree canopy.

Potential for advanced trees and the growth of a canopy is not possible in 8.5m wide laneway reservation. It contains a 5.5m wide pavement and driveways
The surveillance of Waminda Park is poor in this proposal. It is still hidden from the general public's view by side fences and houses. Only eleven new dwellings have a direct benefit. Most passersby will miss the narrow openings as they walk or drive past.
 
Suggestions
The road network is influenced by the existing sewer easement running northward through the back of the existing lots Plan 1
The result is lots running east-west with access from the laneway.
 
An alternative plan prepared by BSFG:
Provides two new roads running east-west.
Public Road frontage is provided to Waminda Park.  Plan 3
All road reserves are 18.0m wide. Plan 5
Existing road reserves are widened to 18m wide with two metre widening to existing roads provided by the new development.
18m provides indented right-angle parking and street trees.
It is noted that existing power poles on the north side of Ballantine Street and East side of Kelly Court will require additional road widening for mature trees not provided in the BSFG layouts below.

BSFG Layouts
It deletes laneways. Two new roads running east-west
Public Road frontage is provided to Waminda Park.
Lots with accessed from internal roads with a 6.0m wide road pavement, leaving 6.0m for driveways, which can count as visitor parking and advanced trees.
Footpaths, if required, should be on one side only.
Plan 6 provides 28 lots
Plan 7 Provides 39 lots
Provision of further refinements, including House Siting Policy for every lot, could improve the yield to the 48 provided in the consultation plans.

A house siting policy proposal
Party walls or touching walls on common boundaries running north-south.
Glass doors, windows, and private open space on the north side of the dwellings.
Ridge lines running east-west to support photovoltaic cells facing north.
Protection from overshadowing in winter by locating two-storey dwellings where they only shade road reserves.
Paired driveways.
Party walls for carports and garages.
Pedestrian access from the street to private open spaces for garden refuse and rubbish removal through carports (not through the house).
Garages and Carports to be structurally independent of the house for staged construction or never built.
Contact Howard Bartlett about Smart Block Design.
0409 504 420.

View Concept and Smart Block Design Plans Below.

 
The BSFG Ecological Sustainable Design and Development Action Group has made a submission to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the supply of Housing in Regional Victoria, www.parliament.vic.gov.au/regionalhousing.

Its Report was adopted at the BSFG committee meeting on 27/03/2025.

The Executive Summary is a call to action to owners (Owner Occupiers, Landlords and Renters) looking to move, upgrade or downsize.

There is something for everyone including Designer / Builder Teams.

The report is in three parts (downloads below):

1. Executive Summary
2. Cover Letter and Report
3. Examples -  proof of concept for subdivisions and house designs built in the 1990s 
4. Attachments -  relevant extracts from the Benalla Planning Scheme.

Put our heads together and provide feedback before we address the Parliamentary Committee.
Contact
Howard Bartlett
Mobile 0409 504 420

Download Executive Summary.
Download Letter and Report.
Download Examples.
Download Attachments.

Our group has not been active for some time.

There has been some email activity related to subdivision developments in Benalla. I have contributed some articles published on our website, https://www.bsfg.org.au/ecologicalsustainable-design-and-development.  (Refer previous posts on this page)

The Goulburn Murray Climate Alliance may have progressed their work with Councils on the Sustainable Subdivisions Framework, https://www.gmca.org.au/sustainable-subdivisions.html.
This project could be looked into again.

BSFG member Howard Bartlett, 0409504420 has recently drawn our attention to a paper from the Municipal Association of Victoria, Shaping regional and rural Victoria: A discussion paper.

This paper could become a catalyst for further discussion by the group as the paper considers
greening of streets and reserves, solar farms, council resources, and affordable appropriate
housing.

There has been a focus on Sustainable Subdivisions as if the answer to Ecological Sustainability
is found in housing. Personally, I think we need to look well beyond housing to achieve
Ecological Sustainability. I have replied to a few emails I received from some environmental
organisations, commenting they are not going to get anywhere until both population and
economic growth are reduced and stabilised.

This morning, I received an email from Friends of The Earth Melbourne about their campaigns.
An interesting one is SKAT Updates + 'The Koalas' Documentary Screening in Melbourne in June.
The trailer for the film is on Documentary Australia. The trailer mentions the koala will be extinct by 2050 as habitat is threatened by new housing developments. (Link to trailer below)

​
Last night I attended a webinar on Sustainable Prosperity by Steven Hail from the Modern
Money Lab and speaker at the upcoming 2024 Swanpool Environmental Film Festival. His school at Torrens University of Adelaide is training Ecological Economists, economists who will consider the ecological impact of the economy and economic development. The pursuit of economic development with increasing GDP perhaps needs to be ameliorated by consideration of ecological measures, such as the Ecological Footprint, Carbon Emissions, and Planetary Boundaries.

​Peter Maddock

Interest in passive house design? What about as a retrofit? We can't recommend this case study highly enough. Builder Dylan endeavours 'to retrofit a draughty cottage into a modern sustainable passive house while his fiance, landscape architect Tylah's, plans for a garden oasis are battered with financial constraints. Dylan's reuse of timber from the house is driven by his concern about the embodied energy that goes into new building products ... "to be able to reuse what we can and then reinstall we're having a lot less impact". You just need to be registered for ABC I-view (free) to watch it..

"No activity for some months.  Waiting on outcome of Goulburn Murray Climate Alliance work on Sustainable Subdivisions Framework, Sustainable Subdivisions (gmca.org.au).  The GMCA ESD Advisor, Simon Blackwell, has commenced trialling the SSF in each municipality, not including Benalla Council.  Nathan Gasperoni is monitoring this.."

​Peter Maddock