Question 1

What is BESS Assessment – a balance screening tool?

Accepted Answer

Short answer: BESS Assessment – a balance screening tool is a regulatory planning-stage sustainability assessment used by Victorian councils to evaluate how a development performs in categories like energy, water, indoor environment, waste and more.

Full answer: BESS stands for Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard. The “balance screening tool” phrase emphasises how BESS balances multiple sustainability criteria at once. Councils in Victoria require BESS as part of their Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP) framework. The assessment examines your project across multiple categories (energy, water, indoor environment quality, stormwater, waste, transport, urban ecology, management and innovation). The goal is to demonstrate that your design aligns with ESD (Environmentally Sustainable Design) principles and council policies. Certified professionals model your proposed design and score it through the official BESS online tool, producing a report to be submitted with your planning permit application.

Why this matters: Without a properly prepared BESS assessment, your planning permit application may be delayed, returned or rejected. Early assessment ensures you meet council sustainability requirements, spot design improvements and avoid costly redesign later.

How Certified Energy can help: At Certified Energy we specialise in preparing detailed, council-compliant BESS assessments. We integrate with architects and planners to optimise your design for better scores, ensure compliance, and deliver the BESS report ready for submission.

Related Regulations: Victorian Planning Provisions relating to Environmentally Sustainable Development, council sustainable design policies, SDAPP requirements, local council planning scheme ESD overlays.

Question 2

Why is a BESS Assessment – a balance screening tool required?

Accepted Answer

Short answer: It is required by many Victorian councils to support planning permit applications and to prove developments meet sustainable design criteria.

Full answer: Many councils in Victoria have embedded the BESS requirement within their planning permit process under the Sustainable Design Assessment in the Planning Process (SDAPP). The BESS tool provides an objective, quantified method to assess whether proposed projects meet sustainability benchmarks set by council policies and state environment objectives. It helps councils ensure new developments reduce resource consumption and contribute to healthier, more sustainable communities.

Why this matters: If you skip or under-prepare a BESS assessment, your permit application may be refused, delayed or need amendment. Demonstrating compliance early guards against setbacks and extra costs.

How Certified Energy can help: We have deep experience with council expectations and ESD policy frameworks. We prepare BESS assessments that satisfy regulators and advise on design changes to increase your score and reduce risk in the approvals process.

Related Regulations: Council ESD policy documents, municipal planning schemes, SDAPP guidelines, Victorian Planning Provisions on sustainable design.

Question 3

What does a BESS Assessment – a balance screening tool report include?

Accepted Answer

Short answer: The report includes a scorecard across multiple sustainability categories, compliance check, recommendations and evidence for council submission.

Full answer: A typical BESS report includes:
- A scorecard showing your project performance across categories (energy, water, indoor environment quality, stormwater, transport, waste, urban ecology, management, innovation)
- Indication of which categories passed or failed mandatory benchmarks (e.g. energy, water, stormwater, IEQ)
- Narrative explanations and modelling results to support the scores
- Recommendations for design or specification changes to improve performance
- Compliance summary for council referencing relevant policies and thresholds
- Supporting inputs like assumptions, drawings, material specifications, modelling data
This ensures transparency of how the scores were derived and gives direction for improvements.

Why this matters: Having a detailed, well-supported report strengthens your planning submission and mitigates council queries. It provides you with actionable insights to refine design and sustainability performance.

How Certified Energy can help: Our team prepares a full, robust BESS report with clear rationale, sensitivity checks and pragmatic recommendations. We liaise with your design team so you can confidently pass council review.

Related Regulations: Council ESD reporting guidelines, SDAPP mandatory benchmarks, local government sustainability checklists, Victorian Planning Provisions for sustainable design.

Question 4

How much does a BESS Assessment – a balance screening tool cost?

Accepted Answer

Short answer: The cost depends on project size, complexity, and the number of units or design intricacies.

Full answer: For simple, single-house developments, fees might be lower; for multi-unit or complex builds, the modelling, iterations and council liaison increase cost. Factors influencing cost include site complexity, number of dwelling units, intricacy of geometry, required sustainability measures, and council expectations. Certified Energy offers tailored quotes after reviewing your plans and scope. Investing in a well-prepared assessment saves you from costly resubmissions or delays.

Why this matters: Understanding probable cost lets you budget realistically in your project planning and avoid surprises. Underspending on assessment can lead to errors or non-compliance down the track.

How Certified Energy can help: We offer transparent, competitive pricing based on project specifics. Once we review your architectural drawings and project scope, we supply a fixed quote and turnaround time. We also guide which design strategies yield best cost-versus-score improvements.

Related Regulations: Some councils may require a minimum quality or standard of assessment, ensuring the assessor is qualified and the modelling methods are robust.

Question 5

Who can prepare a BESS Assessment – a balance screening tool?

Accepted Answer

Short answer: Only qualified and experienced sustainability assessors familiar with BESS and council processes should prepare it.

Full answer: While the BESS tool is publicly accessible, councils expect assessments to be completed by qualified professionals who understand energy modelling, ESD principles and local planning policy. Mistakes or omissions may lead to rejection. Assessors should have experience with Victoria’s SDAPP system, understand the nine BESS categories, and produce defensible modelling assumptions.

Why this matters: Choosing an inexperienced assessor can lead to non-compliant reports, rework, delays and increased project risk. Using a trusted expert helps you get the assessment right the first time.

How Certified Energy can help: Our assessors are experienced in BESS, ESD consultancy and Victorian planning systems. We deliver reliable, council-ready assessments and coordinate with architects, planners and stakeholders to ensure smooth submission.

Related Regulations: Some councils or scheme guidelines require assessors to hold accreditation or demonstrable experience; ESD policy in planning schemes may demand valid credentials.

BESS Assessment : A Balance Screening Tool

Short answer

Full answer

Why this matters

How Certified Energy can help

Related regulations

Helpful resources

SERVICES

WORKING WITH

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Recent News

Announcing our Participation in the NatHERS for Existing Homes Trial