# Glossary
# Activity Centre
A designated area within the Victorian planning framework that supports a mix of uses including housing, retail, commercial services, community facilities, and public transport. For more information see the Victorian Government's Activity Centre Program. (opens new window)
# Adaptability (or ‘adaptive re-use’)
The capacity of a building or space to respond to changing social, technological, economic and market conditions and accommodate new or changed uses.
# Biodiversity Management Plan
A document that identifies the ecological values of a site (within its surrounding context) and demonstrates how these are being preserved and enhanced.
# Blue infrastructure
A part of water sensitive urban design (WSUD), blue infrastructure includes the physical features (also known as 'assets') that are part of the system. This may include features such as rainwater tanks, raingardens, swales, wetlands, and riparian buffer zones amongst many more. Blue infrastructure is often integrated with green infrastructure and in this case can be described as blue-green infrastructure. A wetland is one example of this.
# Boulevard effect
To incorporate a central median into the cross-section of a road to create a strong landscape character, and to manage traffic movements at intersections with local roads.
# Centre of employment
Centres of employment are areas mainly used for jobs—such as industrial zones, business parks, office precincts or commercial areas—and are more specialised than activity centres, which also offer shops, services and community facilities.
# Circular Economy
A circular economy is one that exchanges the typical cycle of make, use, dispose in favour of as much re-use and recycling as possible.
# Community garden
A shared space where individuals or groups collectively grow and maintain plants, including vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Community gardens promote social connection, local food production, and environmental education.
# Container deposit scheme
A state-wide recycling initiative that provides a financial incentive for returning eligible drink containers to designated collection points. The scheme aims to reduce waste, increase recycling rates, and support a circular economy. For more information, refer to Clause [52.13] (https://planning-schemes.app.planning.vic.gov.au/Victoria%20Planning%20Provisions/ordinance/52.13), which outlines requirements and exemptions for Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) infrastructure.
# Cool microclimate
A cool microclimate is a unique set of atmospheric conditions within a localised area that is cooler than the greater surrounding region and its weather conditions.
# Cool route
Active transport routes between destinations that provide protection from direct heat (e.g. through physical shade structure or relatively uninterrupted canopy cover).
# Conservation Covenant
A voluntary, legally binding agreement between a landholder and an authorised body (such as Trust for Nature) to permanently protect and manage land with significant natural, cultural, or scientific values. Registered on the land title, the covenant restricts certain activities to conserve biodiversity and remains in force even when ownership changes.
# Climate change risk assessment
The climate change risk assessment is a written assessment that demonstrates how the proposed subdivision design response addresses and mitigates climate change risks. Evidence of the design response can be explained via plan notations, photos, or other measures as appropriate.
# Cul-de-sac
A street or road that terminates in a closed end, with no through access.
# Detailed landscape plans
Takes the direction of the landscape masterplan (as it relates to open spaces) to show how it is achieved at the detailed open space design level.
# Detailed streetscape plans
Takes the direction of the landscape masterplan and show how it is achieved at the detailed streetscape design level.
# Durable
Able to withstand wear, pressure or damage, as good as, or better than the business-as-usual alternative.
# End of life recyclability
The ability to treat or process materials at the end of the products useful life to use it again in the original form or make it suitable for reuse.
# Engineering plans
Sometimes known as a functional layout plan (FLP), these plans show all engineering elements that influence a plan of subdivision, functionality of civil infrastructure and the achievement of acceptable landscaped areas. For staged subdivisions, the Engineering Plan/FLP will be for each relevant stage of subdivision.
# Engineering plans (detailed design)
The most detailed engineering plans, used for construction.
# Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) professional
An architect, engineer, planner, or similar professional with qualifications in relevant sustainability assessment tools (e.g. BESS, Green Star, First Rate, AccuRate) and experience in providing sustainable design advice to the development industry. ESD professionals typically hold degrees in architecture, engineering, or planning and apply sustainable design principles to buildings and/or subdivisions.
# Evapotranspiration
The process by which water is transferred from land to the atmosphere through evaporation and plant transpiration. It plays a critical role in climate risk assessments, as higher evapotranspiration can increase water loss and exacerbate drought conditions.
# Excavation and construction management plan
Outlines how a construction project, including its excavation phases, will be managed to control risks to health, safety, the local environment, and public amenity
# Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO)
Generally refers to the kerbside collection service for 'green bins' (organics bins) for food and garden organic materials.
# Green infrastructure
Natural and designed greening – from parks and street trees to green roofs and rain gardens. Green infrastructure can be integrated with blue infrastructure and in this case can be described as blue-green infrastructure. A wetland is one example of this.
# Grey infrastructure
The human-engineered infrastructure for water resources such as water and wastewater treatment plants, pipelines, and reservoirs. Grey infrastructure typically refers to components of a centralised approach to water management.
# Greywater
Wastewater from sources including bath, bathroom basin, laundry and shower. Does not include blackwater such as wastewater from toilets, or kitchen wastewater. A greywater system enables you to re-use greywater from your home for uses such as toilets and gardens.
# Harvested water
Water harvested from impervious surfaces, including roofs, collected in rainwater tanks. Harvested water may be re-used for flushing toilets, irrigation, vehicle and bin washing, hot water systems, and washing machines (subject to Council Approval)
# Impervious surface
Surfaces which prevent the infiltration of stormwater runoff. May include roofs, paving, and driveways.
# Landscape masterplan (Landscape plan)
The landscape masterplan sets the direction for landscaping across the subdivision by ensuring sufficient space is available for canopy planting, rest nodes are placed at regular intervals along active transport routes, native species are utilised and light colours are used for hard surface areas.
# Liveability
Refers to a community’s quality of life and experience. It is influenced by an array of factors including the quality of the natural and urban environment, social and economic aspects (e.g. level of crime, safety and access to everyday services, facilities and employment) as well as the quality and availability of urban amenities.
# Medium density housing
Housing with an average density of 16 to 30 dwellings per net development hectare.
# Native and indigenous planting
In the definitions of the Victorian Planning Provisions, native vegetation is defined as “plants that are indigenous to Victoria, including trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses”.
The different between native and indigenous plants is generally understood that native plants are those occurring naturally in a broad region, while indigenous plants are local to a specific, more limited area within that broader region.
Indigenous planting supports local biodiversity, ecological resilience, and cultural values, and is often prioritised in revegetation, landscaping, and conservation projects.
# Natural hazard
A naturally occurring event that might have a negative effect on humans and the environment. Includes extreme weather events such as heatwaves, storms, floods, bushfires, drought, coastal inundation, coastal erosion, as well as geological events like earthquakes.
# Neighbourhood Street Density
A measure of how closely spaced and interconnected streets are within a neighbourhood. Higher street density supports walkability, access to services, and efficient movement networks, and is a key feature of well-designed urban areas, particularly around activity centres and public transport nodes.
# Net residential density
Land allocated for residential lots, excluding roads, public open space, and non-residential uses.
# Non-potable water sources
A source of water that is unsuitable for drinking.
# Off-road active transport plan
Demonstrates the off-road cycling and/or shared path network that links key community destinations.
# Operational stationary energy
Energy that is used to run a building. Operational energy is differs from embodied energy, which is the energy used to create materials. Stationary energy is energy used by fixed sources (such as within a building), in contrast to transport energy which is energy used in moving vehicles.
# Passive Design
Any design strategies that have been employed to use the natural climatic conditions of the site in question to achieve thermally comfortable internal spaces. Usually includes consideration of ventilation, passive heat gain, the use of shading, thermal mass and ventilation among other things.
# Pedestrian priority street
Pedestrian priority streets give high priority to walking, cycling and facilitating social contact, while allowing for low-speed motor vehicle traffic (under 40km per hour). These streets are usually found in areas of intense and diverse activity such as activity centres, education facilities and public transport interchanges. They accommodate diverse travel modes as well as provide a public space function. Bicycle lanes may either be provided as a separate lane, or a shared path with other modes. Streets may also restrict vehicle types or access at times.
# Permeable street network
The extent to which the urban structure permits, or restricts, movement of people or vehicles through an area, and the capacity of the area network to carry people or vehicles.
# Public realm
The public realm comprises spaces and places that are open and freely accessible to everyone, regardless of their economic or social conditions. These spaces can include streets, laneways and roads, parks, public spaces, waterways and foreshores.
# Public transport node
A location where passengers can access public transport services, such as train stations, tram stops, or bus interchanges. These nodes often serve as focal points for movement and are commonly integrated with surrounding land uses to support accessibility and urban development.
# Recycled content
Portion of materials used in a product that have been diverted from the solid waste stream. If those materials are diverted during the manufacturing process, they are be referred to as pre-consumer recycled content (sometimes referred to as post-industrial). If they are diverted after consumer use, they are post-consumer
# Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP)
Prescribed pathways for greenhouse gas concentrations used to underpin climate scenarios.
# Rest nodes
Spaces that provide pedestrians, who may be less abled, with a comfortable, sheltered place to rest while travelling between two destinations.
# Roof catchment area
Area of roof from which rainwater can be collected and directed to rainwater storage tanks.
# Section 69 Agreement (Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978)
A legal agreement under Section 69 of the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987, often used in conjunction with the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978. These agreements enable land to be managed by Parks Victoria or other authorities on behalf of the Victorian Government, ensuring conservation, recreation, or other public purposes are upheld.
# Section 173 Agreement
A legal agreement made under Section 173 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 between a responsible authority (usually a council) and a landowner. It sets out conditions or restrictions on the use or development of land to achieve specific planning objectives. The agreement is recorded on the land title, making it binding on current and future owners and occupiers.
# Sense of place
Having a strong sense of place refers to having a strong identity that is perceived and identifiable by residents and visitors. A neighbourhood’s sense of place can be reflected in its neighbourhood character.
# Site and context plan
Establishes the site features and elements of the surrounding context that underpin the subdivision design response.
# Site Environmental Management Plan
A plan for managing environmental impacts during the construction phase, including holistic construction programming (e.g. suitable staging) to minimise impacts on the environment, human health and amenity by on and offsite management to maintain air, noise, water and waste quality; and chemical management.
# Shared path network
A connected system of paths designed for use by multiple modes of active transport, typically pedestrians and cyclists. These paths are often separated from roads to support safe and accessible movement through urban areas, parks, and neighbourhoods. Shared path networks may also link to recreational trails, providing extended opportunities for leisure, tourism, and regional connectivity.
# Significant vegetation
Vegetation considered valuable due to its botanical, ecological, aesthetic, cultural, or historical importance. In Victoria, significance is assessed using criteria like species rarity, habitat value, and landscape contribution, and may be protected through planning tools such as overlays and local policies.
# Smart meters
Smart meters capture energy usage information in 15min or 30min intervals and can transfer this data to the building user enabling them to make more informed choices about energy use.
# Soil vault
An engineered underground system that provides sufficient, uncompacted soil volume to support healthy tree root growth in urban settings. Soil vaults are typically installed beneath pavements or roads and are designed to balance the needs of tree health with surrounding infrastructure, enabling long-term canopy development in constrained environments.
# Solar absorptance
The fraction of the sun’s radiation that a surface absorbs. It is a measure of the solar radiation, commonly heat, which an object can absorb. The higher the solar absorptance, the more heat it can absorb. Lighter coloured materials are commonly more reflective and absorb less heat.
# Solar radiation
The sun’s energy reaching Earth as electromagnetic waves, including visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light. Higher solar radiation intensifies surface heating and drives evapotranspiration, influencing climate risk factors like drought and heat stress.
# Solar Reflectance Index (SRI)
Measure of the solar reflectance and emissivity of materials that can be used as an indicator of how hot they are likely to become when solar radiation is incident on their surface. The lower the SRI, the hotter a material is likely to become in the sunshine.
# Sponge city
An urban development concept that enhances a city's ability to absorb, store, and reuse rainwater through green infrastructure like permeable surfaces, wetlands, and green roofs. It aims to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and support urban resilience.
# Stormwater management strategy (SWMS)
The SWMS will document how the proposed subdivision meets the requirements of the planning scheme as well as any water sensitive urban design (WSUD) measures or stormwater management requirements deriving from sloped land.
# Stormwater treatment system
May include rainwater or detention tanks, raingardens, vegetated swales, infiltration systems, or a combination.
# Street and park furniture
Street and park furniture includes seats, waste bins, drinking fountains, café furniture, bicycle parking hoops, post boxes, parking meters, payphone cabinets, vending and ticket machines. This element also includes public art, play and recreation equipment.
# Streetscape
The visual character of a street space that results from the combination of street width, curvature, paving, street furniture, plantings and the surrounding built form and detail. The people and activities present in the street also contribute to the streetscape.
# Streetscape liveability
Making our streets, roadways and sidewalks accessible, safe, efficient and useable for all people.
# Subdivision design response
An integral part of the subdivision design process that demonstrates the rationale for the design. It is not the subdivision layout plan itself, but a plan that demonstrates how the proposed subdivision design is site-responsive.
# Superlots
Typically found in greenfield subdivisions, when a larger than normal lot is created, whereby the subdivision and / or development on the super lot is subject to a separate planning process (i.e. further subdivision or development, such as medium density housing).
# Third pipe
An additional water supply system that delivers recycled (non-potable) water separately from drinking (potable) and wastewater systems. The third pipe is typically used for irrigation, toilet flushing, and other non-drinking purposes.
# Traffic calming
Physical devices installed in streets to slow or reduce vehicle traffic and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Traffic calming devices include speed humps, chicanes and narrows, sized for the desired speed. These measures can slow cars speed to between 15 and 40km per hour.
# Tree canopy coverage
The proportion of land area covered by the upper layer of tree foliage when viewed from above. In the Victorian planning context, increasing tree canopy coverage is a key strategy for improving urban resilience, reducing heat, and enhancing amenity.
# Walkability
The extent to which the built environment supports walking for transport and for recreation, where the walking environment is safe, connected, accessible and pleasant.
# Wayfinding
The act of finding one’s way around an area, and the experience of orientation and choosing a path within the built environment. Wayfinding can be aided by logical space planning and a consistent use and organisation of definite sensory cues, such as visual, audible or tactile elements along paths and at destinations. Signs can aid wayfinding.
# Wildlife corridor
A strip of natural habitat that connects separate populations of wildlife, allowing safe movement between areas for feeding, breeding, and migration. Wildlife corridors help maintain biodiversity and ecological health by reducing habitat fragmentation.