# Categories and Standards
# Categories
BESS Subdivisions categories are displayed in the project sidebar and include Site Layout and Liveability, Integrated Water Management etc. Each category contains a number of standards relevant to the planning scheme objectives and to the type and scale of project.
# Standards
The information you enter in Project Details determines which standards apply to your project. For example, some standards only apply to large / very large subdivisions, or others only apply where there is a public realm.
The performance levels available may be Better Practice, Excellence or both - indicated by the leaf icons next to each standard on the page and in the sidebar.
| Standard | Not Answered / Not Achieved | Achieved - Better Practice | Achieved - Excellence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Better Practice only |  |  | |
| Excellence only |  |  | |
| Better Practice & Excellence |  |  |  |
# Response Options
In addition to Better Practice and Excellence (also included here), the response options are:
| Response option | Application | Standard awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Better Practice | Applies for most standards. The baseline that projects need to target unless a council specifies otherwise. | Better Practice |
| Excellence | A higher performance available for some standards. Some standards are Excellence-only. | Excellence |
| Alternative approach | A Better Practice standard should normally be met. However, an alternative approach that meets the objective may be considered by council. Where this response option is selected, a description of the alternative approach must be provided. The acceptance of any proposed alternative approach is subject to assessment by council | Minimum level available (usually Better Practice) |
| Not targeting Better Practice or Excellence | It is expected that as a baseline, all Better Practice standards will be addressed unless the council specifies otherwise. When this response option is selected, this highlights opportunities for sustainability improvements. | None |
A standard may be marked as not applicable where it is genuinely irrelevant and cannot reasonably be applied due to specific site conditions. To mark a standard as Not Applicable, use the N/A icon (exclamation mark) in heading of that standard. You will need to provide a justification. Where a standard is marked as Not Applicable, this is removed from the total available.
# Documentation
When a Better Practice or Excellence standard is answered, 'Documentation' becomes is populated with the evidence that should be shown in/on key subdivision documents (for example the Landscape Plan or the Functional Layout Plan). If this is already complete, this checkbox can be ticked and a comment provided (optional).
The BESS report provides a summary of this checklist organised by document, e.g. all evidence to be shown on the Landscape Plan. Use the tool notes for further guidance and examples for each standard.