Expert Witness Report - Building Services · This report provides an assessment of the potential building services impacts of Amendment 308 of the Melbourne Planning Scheme, specifically

City of Melbourne

C308 Amendment

Expert Witness Report - Building Services

Issue | 21 February 2019

This report takes into account the particular

instructions and requirements of our client.

It is not intended for and should not be relied

upon by any third party and no responsibility

is undertaken to any third party.

Job number 265080

Arup Pty Ltd ABN 18 000 966 165

Arup

Sky Park

One Melbourne Quarter

699 Collins Street

Docklands Vic 3008

Australia

www.arup.com

City of Melbourne C308 Amendment Expert Witness Report - Building Services

| Issue | 21 February 2019 | Arup

\\GLOBAL.ARUP.COM\AUSTRALASIA\MEL\PROJECTS\265000\265080-00 C308 PLANNING AMENDMENT\WORK\INTERNAL\REPORTS\ARUP EXPERT WITNESS REPORT

ISSUE 21 FEB 2019.DOCX

Contents Page

1 Executive Summary 1

2 Introduction 1

2.1 Expert Witness 1

2.2 Scope of Evidence 1

2.3 Documentation reviewed 2

3 Building plant requirements for buildings 3

3.1 Authority rooms 3

3.2 Waste room 4

3.3 Loading areas 5

3.4 Building Services other 5

4 Review of received objections 5

5 Review of DKO test cases 5

6 Review of synthesis report test sites 6

7 Summary and recommendations 7

7.1 Summary 7

7.2 Recommendations 7

8 Declaration 8

Appendices

Appendix A

Nick Adams CV

Appendix B

Summary of objections





Page 1

1 Executive Summary

This report provides an assessment of the potential building services impacts of

Amendment 308 of the Melbourne Planning Scheme, specifically the requirement

for a maximum 40% of ground floor space within a building to be utilised for

building services.

Having reviewed the relevant background material, and based on my experience, I

am of the opinion that the 40% requirement is technically achievable for the

majority of applicable buildings and is appropriate.

The requirement would be more difficult to achieve in some limited instances due

to site constraints. Given this I recommend that C308 be amended to include a

process whereby approval may be considered where the development does not

meet 40% requirement, where a letter is provided from a relevant Authority

(either power, water, gas, or fire). The letter should be site specific and explain

that the relevant utility connection must be located at ground level in order to

comply with the Authority guidelines, due to the particular site constraints.

2 Introduction

2.1 Expert Witness

The name, address and qualification of the expert witness is as follows:

Nick Adams, Arup Australia,

Skypark, One Melbourne Quarter,

699 Collins Street, Docklands VIC 2008

Nick Adams is an Associate Principal within Arup’s Vic/SA Buildings Group and

leads the building services team. Managing a team of over 65 people, he is

responsible for the technical quality of design work leaving the office ensuring

that Arup’s Melbourne team is at the forefront of cutting edge building services

design. Nick has 19 years’ experience within commercial building design

industry. He is a Chartered Engineer, Registered Building Practitioner, and holds

a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical). Nick is a current member and past

President of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Airconditioning and Heating

(Airah).

2.2 Scope of Evidence

The scope of this statement of evidence is restricted to the requirements of the

proposed Planning Scheme Amendment C308 for the requirement for a maximum

40% of ground floor space within buildings to be utilised for building services.

Specifically the proposed wording of the amendment is as follows:





Page 2

The area of any ground floor of a building occupied by building services,

including waste, loading and parking must be less than 40% of the total site area.1

Building service areas are defined in the Design and Development Overlay as

follows:

Building services includes areas used for the purposes of loading, waste

management, in addition to electrical, communications, gas, water and fire

prevention infrastructure.1

Building service areas are defined in the Synthesis Report as follows:

Areas used for the purposes of loading and waste management, in addition to

electrical, communications, gas, water and fire prevention infrastructure.

Service areas which have been specifically excluded from the definition include:

• Lift cores and stairs which provide for vertical circulation

• Lobby areas including mail rooms (where active and connected to the

lobby or public realm)

• Amenities provided in association with a commercial use such as toilet or

change facilities

• Bicycle storage areas (where active and connected to the public realm)

The intent is to capture elements of the ground floor of a building which do not

contribute to the activation of the public realm. Rather than address only the

ground level facade of the building, it is necessary to understand the internal

program within the building and how this affects the public interface.2

I have been asked to undertake a peer review of the Amendment C308 to

understand whether the mandatory requirement of 40% maximum floor space for

building services included in the DD01 is achievable from a technical services

engineering perspective.

I will discuss in this statement of evidence the requirements behind various plant

items and the considerations with achieving a maximum 40% plant allowance at

ground.

2.3 Documentation reviewed

The following documentation has been reviewed as part of this expert witness

report:

• Amendment C308, Melbourne Planning Scheme CLAUSE 43.02 -

SCHEDULE 1

• Amendment C308 Synthesis Report, City of Melbourne, January 2018

• CENTRAL MELBOURNE DESIGN GUIDE, City of Melbourne, June

2018

• DKO test site examples

1 Excerpt, SCHEDULE 1 TO CLAUSE 43.02 DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY,

table 4 2 Amendment C308 Synthesis Report, City of Melbourne, January 2018, Page 33





Page 3

3 Building plant requirements for buildings

In order to understand the impact of the proposed 40% amendment, it is important

to understand the typical requirements for building services which are often

located at ground floor. Location of building services is a function of Authority

requirement, safety, function, maintainability, efficiency and cost, amongst other

considerations. Some rooms can fairly easily be relocated from ground floor,

others are harder. A summary of the requirements is provided in this section.

3.1 Authority rooms

Authority rooms have specific requirements which relate to the specific service

and utility providing the incoming services or authority required to approve the

location and design.

Authority rooms for a building generally include:

• Fire Services Authority rooms

• Gas Authority rooms

• Water Authority rooms (Water and Sewer)

• Electrical Authority rooms

• Telecoms Authority rooms

There are generally specific rules around Authority rooms such as size, location,

access requirements these are specific to each utility. A summary is provided

below (note this is general in nature and not intended to be prescriptively

applicable for all sites):

Room type Authority When room is

needed

Minimum size Specific Location requirements

Fire Control

room

MFB Where buildings are over 50m in

height a

dedicated room

is require for

MFB operations

10m2 but up to 15m2 in larger

buildings

Room must be on the ground level with specific access requirements

as defined by the NCC.

Fire

Brigade

booster

cabinet

MFB Where buildings

have wet fire

services such as

hydrants or

sprinklers

Cupboard min 2m

x 0.7m deep but

bigger for larger

buildings with

more pressure

zones

Must be on ground floor, facing

the street, within site of the main

entrance and in a location agreed

by the MFB

Fire tank

and pump

room

Building asset

not an

authority asset

Where buildings

have wet fire

services and dependant upon

flow and

pressure

requirements

Minimum 30m2

could be much

larger for certain building types.

These are not required to be at

ground level and can be located in

the first level of basement where available or above ground in

agreed location with MFB. Pumps

must be accessed from a fire

isolated stair.





Page 4

Room type Authority When room is

needed

Minimum size Specific Location requirements

Gas meter

room

APA/Multinet Generally all

buildings

Minimum 6m2 –

larger if multiple

meters or required

such as multiple

F&B tenants.

Room must be located on the

building boundary but can be

located at basement level if good

access can be provided.

Water

meter room

CWW Generally all

buildings

Min 6m2 – bigger

for large building

demands

Room must be located on the

boundary but can be located on

basement level if good access can

be provided

Electrical

substation

Citipower Generally all

commercial buildings

Size is load

dependant. A 500kVA

substation

requires a

minimum 21m2.

A 3 x 2000kVA

substation

requires 130m2

Preferred location from authority

is at ground level on the boundary. Can be located in basement levels

or above ground but the following

must be considered:

• 24hr access for maintenance

and transformer replacement

• Ventilation

• Avoiding flooding

• Incoming high voltage

cabling access

All locations are to be approved

by Citipower.

I have personally been involved in

projects where substations were

located above or below ground.

Electrical

switch

room

Building asset

- Not an

authority

asset

In all buildings Size is load

dependant.

Minimum likely

to be 40m2 but likely to be larger.

Generally located adjacent to

substation.

Can be located above or below

ground if required.

Incoming

Comms

room

Various Generally all

larger buildings

require a room

Minimum 15m2 Preferred location at ground or B1

close to the boundary.

Table 1 – Summary of typical Authority room requirements

Table 1 shows that some key Authority rooms must not be located anywhere other

than ground floor (fire booster cabinet and fire control room). Others are preferred

to be located at ground floor by Authorities for accessibility and functional

reasons (substation, water meter room, gas meter room) however can be moved

elsewhere with consent. It should be noted however that alternative locations

require considered design by relevant experts, and review and approval by

relevant Authorities. This may cause prolongations to development programmes.

3.2 Waste room

Waste rooms are defined within C308 as a building plant area. Waste rooms are

heavily dictated by building type, number of tenants and area of each of these

tenants. Access to loading docks or pick up points is also key in determining area

requirements. Waste rooms can be located on levels other than ground if required

but requires specific assessment and the total size required is project specific.





Page 5

Engagement of waste consultants would need to be considered to assist in meeting

this requirement.

3.3 Loading areas

Loading areas are generally dictated by number of access points to the building,

area of the building, number and type of tenants. They are generally located at

ground floor or upper basement levels but can be located elsewhere if appropriate

access is achievable. Their size and location are project specific and also highly

dependent on the vehicle access required for potential parking. Engagement of

traffic consultants would need to be considered to assist in meeting this

requirement.

3.4 Building Services other

There are several other building services areas which may sometimes be

considered for location at ground floor due to design restrictions on the site, or

other technical, aesthetic or cost reasons. This may include air handling units,

cooling plant, heating plant, pump rooms, heat rejection, fan rooms, and

reticulating risers from basement to higher levels. Location of these items of plant

may require reconsideration in order to meet the proposed 40% amendment.

4 Review of received objections

I was provided with a number of written responses to the proposed planning

amendment and summarised the 14 that were sent, extracting any comments

specifically relating to the 40% requirement. Appendix B contains a table of the

specific comments. Concerns raised in objections included:

• Concern over mandatory nature of the amendment.

• Difficulty for small sites to achieve requirement.

• Inflexibility of Authorities to non standard arrangements.

• Concern that this will require more plant to be located in basements which

will have an impact on project feasibility.

5 Review of DKO test cases

I have reviewed a feasibility study of several theoretical buildings completed by

DKO3. I have completed an assessment of the percentage of the ground plane that

is taken up by building plant using the criteria as defined in the synthesis report.

A summary of the building plant allowance drawn for the theoretical examples

provided are:

3 EXPERT EVIDENCE MELBOURNE PLANNING SCHEME AMENDMENT C308: URBAN

DESIGN IN THE CENTRAL CITY AND SOUTHBANK PREPARED BY KOOS DE KEIJZER,

18th February 2019





Page 6

Site Typology Building Services area

as a percentage of site

area

Southbank – Site B Office 33%

CBD – Site B Office 30%

Southbank – Site B Residential 14%

CBD – Site B Residential 30%

Table 2 – summary of DKO case study buildings

The DKO study illustrates that it is possible to design both residential and office

buildings in accordance with the proposed 40% requirement.

6 Review of synthesis report test sites

The Synthesis Report2 identifies a number of existing sites within the CBD and

Southbank and provides an analysis of the percentage of ground floor area taken

up by building services. This is summarised in the table below.

Site Percentage area building

services

452 Elizabeth St, Melbourne 55.2%

483 Swanston St, Melbourne 42.2%

500 Elizabeth St, Melbourne 46.6%

27 Therry St, Melbourne 45.5%

323 LaTrobe St, Melbourne 46.3%

279 LaTobe St, Melbourne 29.8%

296 Little Lonsdale, Melbourne 37.7%

315 LaTrobe St, Melbourne 34.5%

5 Sutherland St, Melbourne 39.8%

8 Sutherland St, Melbourne 37.1%

220 Spencer St, Melbourne 42.3%

605 Lonsdale St, Melbourne 60.3%

8 Kavanagh St, Southbank 33.9%

57-61 City Rd, Southbank 58.9%

241 City Rd, Southbank 49.5%

269 City Rd, Southbank 46.8%

109 Clarendon St, Southbank 48.3%

Table 3 – Summary of Appendix C of Synthesis Report2, test sites. Green shows sites

where building services takes up less than 40% of floor area, red where it exceeds it.

Table 3 shows that for many of the sites reviewed, building services area at

ground floor exceed 40% floor area. However, with consideration of relocation of

Authority rooms to other levels (where permissible), removal of car parking, and

opening of bike stores and mail areas to public realm, it is likely that these sites

could have been designed to meet 40%. A number of the sites meet 40% without

the proposed Amendment even being in place.





Page 7

7 Summary and recommendations

7.1 Summary

Based on my review of the above documentation and relevant experience, in my

opinion the 40% requirement is technically achievable for the majority of

applicable buildings and is appropriate. The requirement would be more difficult

to achieve in the following instances:

• Where the subject building has no basement. This is particularly common

for Southbank due to ground conditions.

• On small footprint sites, for example less than 500m2.

• For mixed use developments due to higher servicing requirements, for

example developments with substantial combinations retail, residential and

commercial components.

• On highly constrained sites with limited street access, for example single

frontage sites.

Impacts of implementation of the 40% requirement to the design and development

process would likely include:

• Necessity to hire waste consultants, traffic consultants and building

services engineers as part of the pre-planning design process. This is usual

practise for most large developments currently, but would become more

prevalent and widespread.

• Potentially increased time frames to reach agreed design outcomes and

associated cost. This may affect ease of development.

• Increased burden on Authorities including Citipower and MFB in

particular to assess non standard Authority room arrangements. Potentially

greater time taken to reach approval.

• Potential necessity of adding basement area which would otherwise not be

required.

7.2 Recommendations

• I recommend that C308 be amended to include a process whereby

approval may be considered where the development does not meet 40%

requirement, where a letter is provided from a relevant Authority (either

power, water, gas, or fire). The letter should be site specific and explain

that the relevant utility connection must be located at ground level in order

to comply with the Authority guidelines, due to the particular site

constraints.

• I recommend that “ground floor” be defined in the DDO document. This is

to overcome the potential ambiguity in applying the ruling on sloping sites

where the ground floor is partially underground, making the definition of

ground floor more complex.

• I recommend expanding the definition of “building services” within the

DDO document to identify the areas not included, as noted in the

Synthesis Report (eg lift cores, lobbies, amenities, bike stores etc).





Page 8

8 Declaration

I have made all the inquiries that I believe are desirable and appropriate and no

matter of significance which I regard as relevant have to my knowledge been

withheld from the Panel.

For Arup

Nick Adams

Appendix A

Nick Adams CV

G:\BLD_311 MEL BLD\STAFF\CVS\ADAMS, NICK\NICK ADAMS_2017_MASTER

CV.DOCX www.arup.com

Nick Adams

Profession

Mechanical Engineer

Current Position

Associate Principal, Building Services Leader

Joined Arup

2000

Years of Experience

19

Nationality

Australian

Qualifications

BEng (hons), Mechanical

CPEng MIEAust

Registered Building Practitioner

Professional Associations

Chartered Member Engineers Australia

Member Australian Institute of Refrigeration Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH)

Committees

Immediate Past President, AIRAH Victorian Committee (2013 to present)

Member AIRAH Victorian Committee (2008 to present)

Publications

The House of Ice, Ecolibrium magazine, August 2012

Existing Buildings // Survival Strategies. A toolbox for re-energising tired assets. June 2008, with Property Council of Australia

Existing Buildings // Survival Strategies. Making it Happen – Putting the Tools to Work. June 2009, with Property Council of Australia

Existing Buildings Survival Strategies, AIRAH Preloved Buildings Conference, November 2009.

Climbing K2: The design and operation of a sustainable public housing project – March 2008

Nick is an Associate Principal within Arup’s Vic/SA Buildings Group and leads the building services team. Managing a team of over 65 people, he is responsible for the technical quality of design work leaving the office ensuring that Arup’s Melbourne team is at the forefront of cutting edge building services design.

A fundamental leader, Nick is able to synthesise differing viewpoints of a diverse team and drive the best outcomes for clients. A communicator and consensus builder, Nick brings strength and perspective from working across a wide range of market sectors, as well as extensive local and international experience to every project.

Nick will draw on his diverse experience as project director on a number of complex, staged and precinct wide projects to deliver a coordinated and sustainable building services design.

Arts and Culture Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens

The Royal Exhibition Building is a world heritage listed building in Melbourne’s Carlton Gardens, which is managed by Museums Victoria and hosts many major events each year. Arup’s MEP, VT, Lighting and Waste Management teams worked with heritage architects Lovell Chen to design year-round visitor spaces including a gallery space beneath the main hall, visitor interpretation space, viewing platform around the main dome, and lifts to connect the gallery and viewing platform areas. Nick was the project director of Arup’s multi-discipline team.

Red Couch Sound Studio

Red Couch is a recording studio in Melbourne, which required an acoustically sensitive mechanical system design. Nick was project manager for the design of the ventilation and air conditioning system to serve the recording rooms, technician’s room and adjacent spaces.

Xavier Music School, Xavier College, Melbourne

Nick was mechanical engineer on this project to provide a feasibility study for a new music rehearsal room at Xavier College. Arup helped the school brief their future requirements for music, and undertook a number of studies to assess upgrade options for the existing facilities.

The Hedberg, University of Tasmania, Hobart

Nick is leading the building services team for this $80m

performing arts centre for the University of Tasmania. Positioned

in the heart of the capital, CIPAD will sit next to and integrate

with the existing Theatre Royal, Australia’s oldest operating

theatre. The building will provide state of the art acoustic,

visualisation and computing technologies as well as versatile



learning, rehearsal and performance spaces, recital hall and

blackbox theatre space. Also home to the Conservatorium, it is

targeting a 5 Star Green Star rating.

The Channel Digital Learning Hub, Arts Centre Melbourne

Nick was lead mechanical designer for this project for Arts Centre Melbourne. The Channel is a place of learning where schools, community groups and adults can all engage and create music and performance work in a collaborative digital environment. It was produced from briefing to completion in seven months.

Tate Modern Ticketing Office, London

Nick carried out the mechanical design and coordinated CFD thermal analysis and electrical design for this new office space within the Turbine Hall of Tate Modern.

New Visitor Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne

Nick was the lead mechanical engineer for this new $2m visitor centre. As sustainability was a key aspiration for the project, Nick was heavily involved in the development of various passive design strategies for the building including natural ventilation and a rock store thermal storage system. Nick undertook regular sustainability assessments of the project using Arup’s Sustainable Project Appraisal Routine (SPeAR), helping the design team to ‘unpack’ sustainability and understand how it related to the project.

Arts Victoria Portfolio Building Audits

To enable Arts Victoria to identify potential energy savings throughout their building portfolio, Nick carried out physical audits of Heide Gallery, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Chunky Move Dance Studio, the National Gallery of Victoria, Artspace, the Malthouse, the State Library and the Public Records Office Victoria. Nick recommended changes to thermal conditions, ventilation rates, and optimisations to air conditioning and control strategy, leading to an estimated annual saving of 1,000 tonnes of CO2/yr.

James Forbes Academy Stage 2, Scotch College, Melbourne

Over a period of two years, Nick oversaw the construction of mechanical services associated with this $22m development. The building extended Scotch College’s School of Music and Drama and included a 500 seat auditorium (noise rating NR 20) and a 430 seat drama theatre (noise rating NR25), together with associated galleries, foyers, and classrooms.

Seeley Library, Cambridge University, UK

This Grade 2 heritage listed library had problems with infiltration, ventilation effectiveness and thermal comfort in a naturally ventilated section of the library with a large glazed roof canopy. Nick was part of the mechanical design team that investigated improvements to the façade and ventilation strategy using CFD and thermal modelling, leading to a recommendation on optimum improvement options.



City of Greater Bendigo Town Hall Refurbishment, Bendigo

As part of the council’s planned upgrade of the heritage listed Town Hall, Nick provided a scheme design and staging options for the introduction of an underfloor supply air conditioning system to be implemented over a three year program. The scheme required understanding and compliance with structural, heritage, aesthetic, functional and acoustic constraints to allow maximum flexibility of the hall as a performance, speaking, gallery and exhibition space.

Narbethong Community Hall, Narbethong, Victoria

Following the Black Saturday fires in Victoria in 2009, the Narbethong Community Hall was destroyed. Nick provided pro bono mechanical design services for the rebuilding of the hall with BVN Architecture.

• Australian Institute of Architects’ Victorian and National Architecture Awards for Public Architecture, 2012

Aviation Terminal 2 Baggage Reclaim Expansion, Melbourne Airport

Nick was lead mechanical engineer for the construction phase of this $20m expansion of Melbourne Airport’s international arrivals terminal to meet expected future passenger growth and to cater for further future expansion.

Services Utility Tunnel, Melbourne Airport

Nick led the building services design for this new 300m long utilities tunnel at Melbourne Airport. The tunnel was designed to service the southern precinct of the airport, carrying high temperature hot water, gas, HV, LV, chilled water, comms, potable water, fire mains and recycled water. The tunnel is designed to cater for the demands of at least the next 20 years, and was constructed in an operating land side environment.

Commercial

Melbourne Quarter, Docklands

Nick is project manager for the Melbourne Quarter precinct. Arup is providing multi-disciplinary services for this $600m, 2.5-hectare multi-use development which will bring together world class design, workplaces, dining and retail, green space and new public space. The new precinct will boast a complex of high and medium rise towers offering 110,000m² office space, 4,000m² retail, combined with a unique sky park garden.



Confidential hotel project, Melbourne

Nick is project director for this project to convert an existing office building into a 4.5 star hotel development. The project involves stripping the existing building and the addition of 11 storeys above the current roof level.

Freshwater Place Refurbishment, Southbank

Nick is project director for this mixed-use master planned

development on the banks of the Yarra River in Southbank. Arup

is working with architects Bates Smart and BVN, and project

manager Montlaur to deliver the project. Completed in three

stages, the refurbishment project will include a major foyer

upgrade, piazza area refresh including extensive feature canopy,

amenities and lift lobby upgrade, and 23,000m² of office upgrade.

Lend Lease Headquarters, Melbourne Quarter, Docklands

Nick is project director for the fitout of 7,880m² office space over four floors of the C1 tower at Melbourne Quarter to allow Lend Lease to consolidate their existing offices in Melbourne.

WeWork portfolio

Nick is project director for the WeWork portfolio in Melbourne. Arup has currently completed 345 Bourke St and 401 Collins St workplaces.

SEEK Office Accommodation Project, Melbourne

Nick is project director for SEEK’s new workplace accommodation project. Over the course of two years, Nick acted as technical advisor to SEEK, appraising over eight different detailed development proposals, and assisting in negotiating AFL with the final successful developer. The project is now in the early stages of fitout design and will feature over 20,000m2 of NLA. A focus of the workplace will be high indoor environment quality, targeting 4.5 star NABERS IE, with an underfloor air conditioning system, internal atrium for excellent daylight, winter gardens and higher levels of outside air.

Macquarie Workplace, 80 Collins St Melbourne

Nick is project director for this new premium workplace. Macquarie are taking four floors of the building and the workplace includes a private connection to a roof top terrace, intertenancy void and stairs, and will involve redesign of the base building chilled beam system to suit the tenancy. Tenancy changes are being partially integrated into the base building as it is constructed.

161 Collins Street, Melbourne

Nick led the due diligence study for 161 Collins Street identifying potential upgrade options to reposition the building as A Grade space, improve energy performance and deliver a higher quality space and improved amenity.

Nick is now project director for the historic building’s multi-disciplinary refurbishment. Upgrade works will include replacing



the internal glazing of the 10 storey atrium, replacement of all major mechanical plants, conversion of the HVAC system to low temperature VAV, and replacement of all lighting.

Aesop Accommodation Strategy

Arup assisted Aesop in assessing their future accommodation options for their head office operations, including laboratory, office and administrative spaces. Nick is project director for this project.

Brookfield Multiplex Headquarters, 501 Swanston Street, Melbourne

Nick was project manager for this 5 Star Green Star, 2,500m² office fitout. The ambitious development involved integration of a new podium office level to an existing office tower, requiring integration of services.

SAP Office, 484 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

Nick was project manager for this 3,000m² fast track office fitout, constructed in three months. He oversaw the fitout and coordinated upgrades to the base building power supply, ventilation and cooling to enable the workplace requirements of this software organisation.

BHP Billiton Global Headquarters, 171 Collins Street, Melbourne

Nick was project manager and lead mechanical designer for this 12,600m2 premium grade head office fitout. Nick was responsible for managing and coordinating Arup’s design involvement across MEP, comms, ESD, structural engineering, security and acoustics. The project was delivered largely from a project office with the client and design team collocated to facilitate cross fertilisation of ideas and close coordination.

Allens Arthur Robinsons, 101 Collins Street, Melbourne

Nick was project manager and lead mechanical designer for this 12,500m2 premium grade law office workplace fitout. Working with BVN Architecture, Arup provided MEP, comms, security, acoustics, AV, fire engineering, ESD and structural services. Allens took seven floors of the building which comprised a new six storey interconnecting tenancy stair and void.

Moscow Tower Plot 9, Moscow

Moscow Tower Plot 9 is a 250,000m² mixed use development comprising a 275m and a 250m high residential/office tower, and one adjacent 18 storey building incorporating office, retail and leisure facilities. Nick designed the central air conditioning energy plant and ventilation systems and coordinated central MEP systems within the building’s six storey basement. The building came eighth place in the Emporis Skyscraper Awards, 2010.

New British Embassy, Algeria

Nick led the mechanical design and coordinated the building services design of this new £10m, 1,800m2 embassy for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Following



consultation with stakeholders, Nick developed a unique mechanical design strategy for the embassy. The strategy met the strict security requirements of the FCO whilst minimising maintenance needs. Nick also advised the architectural team and client on low energy building design, and assisted in developing a bespoke BREEAM for embassies, a first for the FCO. The building went on to achieve a ‘Good’ BREEAM rating, the first rated building in Algeria.

• International Property Awards Architecture Award (Public Services) in the Arabian Property Awards section, 2010

100 Queen Street, Melbourne

Nick was lead mechanical designer for the replacement of the 3MW boiler plant for this 33 storey office tower. The work involved strategic review and detailed design of replacement options, and identified potential savings of over 100 tonnes CO2/yr. Arup also assisted ANZ with the replacement of their 4MW central chiller plant, floor distribution boards and provision of new floor isolation dampers to existing HVAC systems. Nick was project director for this ongoing work.

Existing Buildings // Survival Strategies Publication, PCA

In conjunction with the Property Council of Australia (PCA) Nick was instrumental in developing a publication to assist owners of existing commercial buildings stock with methodologies to ‘green’ older buildings aimed at sustaining the building's commercial viability. The publication comprises a six step plan and 200 design initiatives to help owners of Australia’s existing office buildings plan for the future of their buildings. It shows that surprisingly significant improvements can be made with minimal cost through measures such as housekeeping review, lighting retrofits, improved maintenance and re-commissioning of the building’s services.

Arup Adelaide

Nick coordinated the building services design for Arup’s 500m² Adelaide office fitout.

Green Building Strategy, Australia Post

As part of Arup’s work developing a Green Building Strategy for Australia Post, Nick coordinated a team to develop an Existing Building Strategy. Australia Post own and lease a diverse portfolio of approximately 1,300 buildings across retail, office, industrial and light industrial sectors. Nick developed a methodology for completing a high level environmental assessment of the portfolio, enabling poor performing buildings to be identified and refurbished.

The work was informed by numerous site visits to each type of facility and assessment of Australia Post’s energy and water consumption database. Suitable upgrade initiatives were



developed for each building sector, which could be rolled out on a wide scale.

114 Albert Road, Melbourne

Nick was a key member of the mechanical design team responsible for the Mechanical Services Upgrade of this existing 16 storey office building, including the design and specification of new air conditioning and ventilation systems.

Melbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne

New $400m convention centre comprising a 5,000 seat Plenary Hall, ballroom, pre-function spaces, meeting and catering facilities. Nick undertook concept design of mechanical services for the Convention Centre including system selection and preliminary sizing. Nick’s work assisted the client to understand spatial and cost allowances for the development.

Arup Office, Brisbane

Nick completed the mechanical services design and documentation for Arup’s Brisbane office fitout, which achieved a 5 Star Green Star rating.

Unisys, 574 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

Nick was responsible for mechanical design work for the fitout of three levels of 574 St Kilda Road. Arup carried out a thermal analysis of the building and performed design work on the air distribution and ventilation of the floors, and were also involved in the selection of supplementary cooling systems for computer rooms.

Education

Methodist Ladies College, Melbourne

Nick was project director for this survey of existing conditions for Methodist Ladies College which included services inspection, survey and preliminary report.

Schools Public Private Partnership, Victoria

Arup are providing technical advisory services for the second Public Private Partnership transaction for new schools in Victoria which aims to deliver quality facilities, community infrastructure and improved access and greater choice in growing communities.

North Gungahlin School, ACT

Arup are providing technical advisory services for this primary school at North Gungahlin. The project builds on the extensive involvement of these key advisors for the Victorian PPP schools project, and will include permanent and modular facilities for preschool and primary school students.

Xavier Music School, Xavier College, Melbourne



Nick was mechanical engineer on this project to provide a feasibility study for a new music rehearsal room at Xavier College. Arup helped the school brief their future requirements for music, and undertook a number of studies to assess upgrade options for the existing facilities.

The Hedberg, University of Tasmania, Hobart

Nick is leading the building services team for this $80m

performing arts centre for the University of Tasmania. Positioned

in the heart of the capital, CIPAD will sit next to and integrate

with the existing Theatre Royal, Australia’s oldest operating

theatre. The building will provide state of the art acoustic,

visualisation and computing technologies as well as versatile

learning, rehearsal and performance spaces, recital hall and

blackbox theatre space. Also home to the Conservatorium, it is

targeting a 5 Star Green Star rating.

Digital Learning Hub, The Channel, Arts Centre Melbourne

Nick was lead mechanical designer for this project for Arts Centre Melbourne. The Channel is a place of learning where schools, community groups and adults can all engage and create music and performance work in a collaborative digital environment. It was produced from briefing to completion in seven months.

Teaching and Learning Building, Monash University

Nick developed a building services feasibility study for Monash University’s proposed new Teaching and Learning Building. The $110 - $140m building is targeting 5 star Green Star and is currently awaiting funding.

The Monash Club, Monash University, Clayton

Arup completed the building services design for the Monash Club refurbishment, an existing building established in 1961 at Monash University’s Clayton campus. The Monash Club is a high quality, multi-purpose meeting place for staff and guests with a floor area of approximately 1,060m². Nick was mechanical design reviewer for the refurbishment of this space.

National Centre for Coast and Climate, University of Melbourne

Nick developed a building services brief for the proposed new National Centre for Coast and Climate for the University of Melbourne, to be located at Point Nepean.

Harris Academy South Norwood, London

During construction Nick represented Arup’s structural and MEP disciplines for this £28m Academy which included a new 10,000m² teaching block and a three storey heritage building refurbishment. Nick attended regular site meetings and inspections, answered technical mechanical design queries and coordinated Arup’s team throughout construction.

James Forbes Academy Stage 2, Scotch College, Melbourne



Nick oversaw the construction of mechanical services associated with this $22m development. The building extended Scotch College’s School of Music and Drama and included a 500 seat auditorium (noise rating NR 20) and a 430 seat drama theatre (noise rating NR25), together with associated galleries, foyers, and classrooms.

Western Precinct Stage 1, University of Melbourne

A key member of the building physics team for this $80m laboratory and office development, Nick co-ordinated extensive thermal analysis and bulk airflow modelling of the seven storey atrium. Through analysis of the results, Nick was able to provide insight to likely thermal conditions within the atrium when naturally ventilated. Interpreting solar access modelling, Nick advised on the performance of solar shading required to meet strict solar radiation requirements to laboratory spaces of the building.

• Property Council of Australia Rider Hunt Award, 2005

• Science Industry Australia Laboratory of the Year Award, 2005

Beaurepaire Centre Refurbishment, University of Melbourne

Nick undertook a central role as mechanical services engineer for the $5.3m refurbishment of this heritage listed 1950s gymnasium and pool centre. Involved from concept stage to completion, Nick was responsible for the design and specification of new air conditioning and ventilation systems, meeting the University brief and Heritage Victoria requirements, whilst minimising project costs. Nick oversaw the construction phase for electrical and mechanical services, and through regular contact on site helped to successfully meet the project deadline.

• Australian Institute of Architects’ Victorian and National Architecture Award for Heritage Architecture, 2004

Natural Ventilation Analysis, La Trobe University, Melbourne

In order to assist in solving problems of overheating in an existing naturally ventilated multistorey academic office building, Nick undertook a desktop thermal analysis using Arup’s E&TA software. In collaboration with Arup’s facades team, Nick suggested and assessed external shading and ventilation solutions, demonstrating a potential improvement of up to 5°C in internal comfort temperatures in summer.

Sports Faculty Energy Audit, Monash University, Melbourne

As part of a campus wide Level 3 energy audit completed by Arup, Nick surveyed the sports faculty and identified potential energy savings of over 800MWh/yr, representing potential energy cost savings of 7% per annum.

Energy Modelling, Swinburne University, Melbourne



Nick completed an energy model of a 6,500m² office development, demonstrating that with energy efficient services and building design, a 4 Star ABGR rating could be achieved.

Energy 100 Queen Street, Melbourne

Nick was lead mechanical designer for the replacement of the 3MW boiler plant for this 33 storey office tower. The work involved strategic review and detailed design of replacement options, and identified potential savings of over 100 tonnes CO2/yr.

Existing Buildings // Survival Strategies Publication, PCA

In conjunction with the Property Council of Australia (PCA) Nick was instrumental in developing a publication to assist owners of existing commercial buildings stock with methodologies to ‘green’ older buildings aimed at sustaining the building's commercial viability. The publication comprises a six step plan and 200 design initiatives to help owners of Australia’s existing office buildings plan for the future of their buildings. It shows that surprisingly significant improvements can be made with minimal cost through measures such as housekeeping review, lighting retrofits, improved maintenance and re-commissioning of the building’s services.

Carlton Brewery Site Services Study, Melbourne

Reviewed various energy options for the redevelopment to determine environmental benefits of site wide versus decentralised energy plant, including trigeneration, district cooling and ground source heat pumps.

Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge, UK

Cambridge Council introduced requirements in 2007 for new developments to source 10% of their energy consumption from on-site renewables. For this large laboratory development Nick advised the client and design team on methods of meeting this requirement through various combinations of PV, wind, solar hot water, ground sourced heat pumps, biomass CHP and ground water cooling.

• RIBA Stirling Prize, 2012

Sports Faculty Energy Audit, Monash University, Melbourne

As part of a campus wide Level 3 energy audit completed by Arup, Nick surveyed the sports faculty and identified potential energy savings of over 800MWh/yr, representing potential energy cost savings of 7% per annum.

Westfield Doncaster, Melbourne

To enable Westfield to meet local planning requirements, Nick developed an energy management plan (EMP) as part of an overall sustainability master plan (SMP) for the new major extension of Westfield Doncaster shopping centre. Through the development of the EMP Nick assisted Westfield to understand



and commit to a range of innovative low energy design initiatives for the extension.

Botannica Energy Modelling, Melbourne

Through computer simulation Nick advised the client how to achieve a 4.5 star ABGR target for this 4 storey office development. Provided sensitivity analysis to demonstrate the effect of various failure scenarios on the theoretical ABGR rating.

City of Melbourne New Offices Energy Modelling, Melbourne

To inform the council’s evaluation of options for new office accommodation, Nick was part of a team that evaluated recurrent energy consumption for options ranging from a contemporary sealed air conditioned space to a well daylit, appropriately shaded space with a mixed mode ventilation strategy. The work demonstrated that a 50% reduction in energy costs with a corresponding 40% reduction in CO2 loading could be achieved from the adoption of principles of passive engineering and energy efficient systems design.

Queen Victoria Market Photovoltaics Investigation, Melbourne

Nick was involved in a study investigating the feasibility of a photovoltaic installation at the Queen Victoria Market for the City of Melbourne. Nick’s work included assessment of electricity market trends, investigation into applicable rebates, and budget costs for various building integrated photovoltaic schemes.

MCG Photovoltaics Feasibility Study, Melbourne

Nick undertook the technical evaluation and provided a written report reviewing the practical and cost implications of the integration of various photovoltaic systems into the roof of the MCG’s new Northern Stand. Costs and simple payback analyses were provided for installations ranging from 500m² to 3,800m², allowing MCG stakeholders to make an informed decision on the viability of photovoltaics as part of their design intent.

Energy Modelling, Swinburne University, Melbourne

Completed an energy model of a 6,500m² office development, demonstrating that with energy efficient services and building design, a 4 Star ABGR rating could be achieved.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide

Nick developed a thermal model of the proposed renovations to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital using DOE-2. The thermal model was used to predict annual energy consumption and assess energy efficient and cost effective HVAC and building options.

Australian Bureau of Statistics, Canberra

Nick helped to create and develop a thermal model for this new building using the DOE-2 building energy analysis program. The model was used to estimate the annual energy consumption of the building and to quantify energy and cost savings brought about by



changes to electrical and mechanical elements within the building.

Government

New British Embassy, Algeria

Nick led the mechanical design and coordinated the building services design of this new £10m, 1,800m2 embassy for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Following consultation with stakeholders including FCO security consultants, the British Ambassador to Algeria, and embassy staff, Nick developed a unique mechanical design strategy for the embassy. The strategy met the strict security requirements of the FCO whilst minimising maintenance needs through implementation of simple design strategies, a key client aspiration due to the location. Nick also advised the architectural team and client on low energy building design, including assistance in developing a bespoke BREEAM for embassies, a first for the FCO. The building went on to achieve a ‘Good’ BREEAM rating, the first rated building in Algeria.

• International Property Awards Architecture Award (Public Services) in the Arabian Property Awards section, 2010.

City of Greater Bendigo Town Hall Refurbishment Project

As part of the City’s planned upgrade of the Heritage listed Town Hall, Nick provided a scheme design and staging options for introduction of an underfloor supply air conditioning system to be implemented over a three year program. The scheme required understanding and compliance with structural, Heritage, aesthetic, functional and acoustic constraints to allow maximum flexibility of the hall as a performance, speaking and exhibition space.

City of Greater Bendigo Archive Centre Design Review

Provided a technical third party review of the mechanical services design for a new archive centre in Bendigo.

1,200 Buildings Segmentation Study, City of Melbourne

Arup was commissioned by the City of Melbourne to analyse the building owner profile of Melbourne's 1,200 commercial buildings. As part of this work, Nick was part of the team that segmented the 1,200 buildings in terms of type of owner (eg corporate, government, individual etc.), and potential for energy savings. This analysis informed future engagement programs as part of the 1,200 Buildings retrofitting program.

City of Melbourne Plant Renewal

City of Melbourne requested a package of works to upgrade the central plant in three of its ageing buildings around Melbourne, including CH1, Kensington Town Hall and heritage listed Commonwealth Bank building (225 Bourke Street). Arup undertook the design of the HVAC upgrades, which included



CHW system upgrades, HHW system upgrades, and retro-fitting air conditioning system to the Kensington Town Hall building. Nick was the project director for Arup’s team.

Government House, Victoria

Arup has completed a commission by the Office of the Victorian Architect to develop ecological sustainable development improvement initiatives for Government House, a classic example of nineteenth century building located on a 12 ha site in Melbourne. It has a gross floor area of approximately 6,800m². ESD service involved assessment of the demand profile for energy and water consumption, identification of passive and active measures to reduce the energy and water consumption, while improving occupant amenity and comfort, within the heritage constraints.

Health

Royal Melbourne Hospital Masterplan, Melbourne, Vic

Nick is project director for the Royal Melbourne Hospital Masterplan and feasibility study for the DHHS. Masterplan works will inform future development of the ageing and complex asset on a congested site.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide

Nick developed a thermal model of the proposed renovations to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital using DOE-2. The thermal model was used to predict annual energy consumption and assess energy efficient and cost effective HVAC and building options.

Hotel & Leisure

Confidential hotel project, Melbourne

Nick is project director for this project to convert an existing office building into a 4.5 star hotel development. The project involves stripping the existing building and the addition of 11 storeys above the current roof level.

Langham Hotel, Southbank

Nick is project director for the refurbishment of the Langham Hotel in Melbourne. Arup are providing multi-disciplinary services for this project.

RACV Resort, Cape Schanck

Nick is the project manager overseeing MEP, structure, acoustics and ESD design for this $130m development for RACV. The resort includes a restaurant, 150 room hotel, conference facilities, pool, gym, bar and lounge facilities. Arup’s commission follows the excellent delivery of RACV Torquay, also led by Nick.



RACV Resort, Torquay

Nick led the building services design of this $120m development for RACV. The resort includes a restaurant, 100 room hotel, conference facilities, pool, gym, bar and lounge facilities. In line with RACV’s commitment to sustainability, Nick led a study which appraised and led to a recommendation on various sustainable technologies for the site, including black water recycling, trigeneration, geothermal energy and renewable energy systems.

Laboratories Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge, UK

Cambridge Council introduced requirements in 2007 for new developments to source 10% of their energy consumption from on site renewables. For this large laboratory development Nick advised the client and design team on methods of meeting this requirement through various combinations of PV, wind, solar hot water, ground sourced heat pumps, biomass CHP and ground water cooling.

• RIBA Stirling Prize, 2012

Western Precinct Stage 1, University of Melbourne

Nick was a key member of the building physics team for this $80m laboratory and office development, Nick co-ordinated extensive thermal analysis and bulk airflow modelling of the seven storey atrium. Through analysis of the results Nick was able to provide insight to likely thermal conditions within the atrium when naturally ventilated. Interpreting solar access modelling, Nick advised on the performance of solar shading required to meet strict solar radiation requirements to laboratory spaces of the building. Awards:

• Property Council of Australia Rider Hunt Award, 2005

• Science Industry Australia Laboratory of the Year Award, 2005

Mission Critical Australian Synchrotron Project, Major Projects Victoria

For this new $206m synchrotron located in Melbourne, Nick assisted with the design of the cooling system for the technical equipment, and developed a performance specification for the low conductivity water system treatment plant.

Gisborne Telephone Exchange Extension, Victoria

As part of the engineering team for this $1.3m extension, Nick coordinated the design and specification of a new air conditioning system to meet the increased cooling demands of the building. Key challenges were to design a system within a tight budget that would effectively maintain the Exchange equipment at an acceptable temperature 24 hours a day while minimising noise breakout to surrounding neighbours overnight.



Rail and Transport

Over Station Development, Melbourne

Westall Station, Melbourne

Nick led the schematic mechanical services design for the redevelopment of Westall Station on the Dandenong Rail Corridor in Melbourne’s south east.

Residential

97 Franklin Street, Melbourne, Vic

Nick is project director for this 59 storey student housing

development on the northern edge of Melbourne’s CBD designed

by DCM. The development will include over 800 student studio

apartments, student communal space, 144 apartments and 9 floors

of office tenancy.

557 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Vic

Nick is project director for this 20 storey student accommodation

building designed by DCM just north of Melbourne’s CBD. The

building is located on the former CUB site which will be home to

over 800 units.

K2 Sustainable Housing, Melbourne

Nick was the lead mechanical engineer for this landmark $32m sustainable housing development for the Office of Housing. Nick worked with the architectural team to develop passive engineering principles which have removed the need for active cooling and minimised the amount of active heating required throughout the 96 unit development. Based on a detailed study, Nick recommended the optimum balance of renewable energy systems for the development. At least 50% of the annual domestic hot water requirements for the development is met by the solar collectors, whilst a roof mounted PV array generates 25MWh of electricity per year.

• UNAA World Environment Day Awards – Best Sustainable Residential Development Award, 2009

• Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Architecture Award for Sustainable Architecture and Joseph Reed Award for Urban Design, 2008

61 A’Beckett Street, Melbourne

This ambitious development aims to construct a 30 storey residential tower above a two storey heritage listed warehouse on



a narrow plan CBD site. Nick led the services team to assist the architect in obtaining planning permission for the development.

Retail

Vue de Monde Restaurant, Level 55, The Rialto, Melbourne

Nick acted as Vue de Monde’s sustainability advisor from construction phase in mid-2011 through to two years post occupation. Nick’s input ranged from design optimisation to improved operational sustainability, management, procurement of supplies, waste handling, benchmarking and performance monitoring.

• Australian Interior Design Awards, Sustainability Advancement Award, 2012

Westfield Doncaster, Melbourne

To enable Westfield to meet local planning requirements, Nick developed an energy management plan (EMP) as part of an overall sustainability master plan (SMP) for the new major extension of Westfield Doncaster shopping centre. Through the development of the EMP Nick assisted Westfield to understand and commit to a range of innovative low energy design initiatives for the extension.

Crown Atrium Solar Shading and Thermal Comfort Study, Bangkok

Two storey, 36 metre diameter air conditioned glass atrium, part of the proposed new King Power duty free development In Bangkok. Nick carried out solar shading and thermal comfort analysis on the atrium leading to a recommendation of the optimum glazing, shading, and air conditioning configuration to maximise occupant thermal comfort and minimise solar heat gain. Nick workshopped the recommendations with the architect, mechanical and façade engineering team in Bangkok to ensure a collaborative solution.

Australia Post East Bentleigh Delivery Centre, Melbourne

Nick acted as Project Manager and mechanical design engineer for the upgrade of the air conditioning system at East Bentleigh Delivery Centre. Nick’s role involved mechanical design of the system, site phase supervision and contract administration.

Sport

Metro Sports Facility, Christchurch, NZ

Nick is leading the building services team for this complex state of the art aquatic and sports facility; part of Christchurch’s rebuild project following the 2011 earthquakes.



Arup is providing multi-disciplinary services on this project to ensure Australasian and Global best practice in aquatic and multi-use sports facilities are embedded in this foundation project. The facility will include indoor high performance facilities, gyms, studios and a running track.

Flemington Racecourse Members Club Stand, Melbourne

Nick led the building services design for the VRC’s new Club Stand at Flemington Racecourse. The building is being constructed on the site of the existing Members Stand and required careful planning of staged decommissioning and diversion of existing precinct wide building services (fire, water, comms, power) in a live environment. The Club Stand will consolidate Flemington’s position as a world-class sporting and entertainment venue.

National Ice Sports Centre, Melbourne

Nick led the building services design and delivery for a new Olympic standard ice skating complex in Melbourne’s Docklands. Using 3D modelling, Nick and the team were able to integrate services with architecture and structure, enabling successful coordination and construction of a complex building within a little over a year. The building comprises innovative features such as extensive heat recovery, low emissivity ceiling, rainwater collection and reuse, desiccant dehumidification and solar hot water. Coordinating thermal comfort, energy modelling and CFD studies along with mechanical design, Nick assisted the project in obtaining an ESD Award of Excellence under the Docklands ESD guide.

RACV Resort, Cape Schanck

Nick is the project manager overseeing MEP, structures, acoustics and ESD design for this $130m development for RACV. The resort includes a restaurant, 150 room hotel, conference facilities, pool, gym, bar and lounge facilities. Arup’s commission follows the excellent delivery of RACV Torquay, also led by Nick.

RACV Resort, Torquay

Nick coordinated the building services design of this $120m development for RACV. The resort includes a restaurant, 100 room hotel, conference facilities, pool, gym, bar and lounge facilities. In line with RACV’s commitment to sustainability, Nick led a study which appraised and led to a recommendation on various sustainable technologies for the site, including black water recycling, trigeneration, geothermal energy and renewable energy systems.

MCG Northern Stand Redevelopment, Building Physics

Utilising a range of simulation design tools that can provide insight to air movement patterns and thermal conditions, Nick advised the architectural team of performance requirements for the solar shading and natural ventilation strategies of the three new atrium spaces in the MCG’s Northern Stand.



MCG Photovoltaics Feasibility Study

Nick undertook the technical evaluation and provided a written report reviewing the practical and cost implications of the integration of various photovoltaic systems into the roof of the new Northern Stand. Costs and simple payback analyses were provided for installations ranging from 500m² to 3800m², allowing the MCG Stakeholders to make an informed decision on the viability of photovoltaics as part of their design intent.

Appendix B

Summary of objections

Summary of the Submissions received by CoM and how they relate to building services 10/02/2019

Submission

Number

Organisation Specific comments relating to Building Services requirements directly copied or sumarised Overall position

4 Mecone Town Planning We agree that ground floor services should be limited as they detract from the visual presentation of buildings. Service cabinets

should be co-located internal to the site to minimise impact on public realm. Where this is not possible due to service authority

requirements, service cabinets should be integrated with the façade of the building.

Good starting point

11 Urbis on behalf of 1 WTC

PTY owners of 611 -631

Flinders street

Issues with subjective reviews, overly cumbersome, restricting architectural freedom, taking a one size fits all approach. The

mandatory requirement associated with building services occupying less than 40% of the total site area at ground level is not

always achievable, particularly on small sites. It is not always possible to locate services away from streets, laneways and public

spaces. Service authorities have particular requirements around access to services which cannot be avoided. This includes

services such as boosters and fire hydrant systems. • Reference is made to car parking entries to be avoided on small sites, it is

noted that “small sites” has not been defined. The mandatory requirement around building services including waste, loading

and parking to be less than 40% of the total site area cannot necessarily be achieved on small sites. Further, reference to car

parking at the ground floor of the building is contrary to the other mandatory requirements suggesting car parking to be in the

basement, or first floor or above in Southbank.

Very much against it

12 City West Water CWW wish to have practice notes incorporated into approval process. Supportive but are after more power

13 UDIA (Urban development

Institute of Australia)

Requested changes to C308

Amend the provisions to provide discretion to allow the requirement that the area of any ground floor of a building occupied by

building services, including waste, loading and parking must be less than 40% of the total site area, to be waived or reduced for

smaller sites.

Table 4 of DDO1 requires that the area of any ground floor of a building occupied by building services, including waste, loading

and parking must be less than 40% of the total site area. We note this may not be possible for smaller sites due to the requireme

nts imposed by responsible and referral authorities for substations, fire hydrant boosters and clear access for waste bins to be ta

ken to the street.

Supportive but request changes

14 Master Builders Utility connections are another key issue for buildings and particularly smaller buildings. We suggest council continue the

dialogue and relationship with utilities to work out solutions to challenges around flexibility over smaller sites and provision of

services.

No real comments on services

16 Property Council Industry requires a clear and unambiguous guarantee that the MFB and the CoM can effectively coordinate and agree on design

proposals. It is our members experience that agencies such as the MFB, or utility providers, have rigid requirements with the

location of services that may be inconsistent with this aspect of the proposed controls. Adjusting the fundamental principles for

essential services - such as fire boosters facing internally, as displayed in item 41 - can produce onerous delays in the design and

approvals process.

This is the only comment on services.

Much more unhappy with carparking

forced into basement and specific

requirements regarding 3.5m floor to flor

19 Urbis Sarah Macklin This control has not taken into consideration various site constraints, nor does it consider the different requirements for the

various uses which may be proposed.

We have concern that setting a mandatory requirement in this regard may make particular developments unviable as there is

likely to be significant implications with land on smaller lot sizes or for uses which require large areas for loading and the like.

This requirement also relies heavily on the cooperation and regulatory requirements of the various service authorities and in

some instances, it may not be possible to relocate various services from the ground level.

For example, we are currently working on a development on Lonsdale Street where our client would prefer to put the

substation underground. However, due to the stringent requirements of CitiPower, we have been forced to locate the

substation at ground level.

Further to the above, if appropriately treated or skinned so that the presentation to the public realm remains active, service

areas internal to a building will not have a negative impact on the streetscape or wider city life and functions.

They want the DDO to be a local policy

and remove mandatory requirements

23 ProUrban (on behalf of a

specific site on Spenser

street)

They suggest to remove the mandatory requirement regarding building services. As this mandatory requirement will prevent

development on a large number of smaller CBD sites. The appropriate provision of services is typically determined by authority

requirements to ensure safety of the general public and maintenance requirements of authority owned assets like gas, water &

electricity. Active sleeved uses and frontages can still be achieved with more than 40% of the ground floor level being taken for

BOH & Service Zones.

They propose their own adjustments

24 ProUrban (on behalf of a

specific site on LaTrobe

street same client as 23)

Same as 23

26 IrwinConsult General comments that trying to service building from small lanes have issues with access by large trucks and the availability of in

ground authority services. When this requirement is compared to C308.26, it becomes unclear how waste/loading access is to be

maintained on ramps, particularly given the necessary grades required to achieve the appropriate clearance on small sites with

all car parking to be located underground. This requirement may also become increasingly problematic relative to the plot size

of the development; building services minimum sizes are dictated by controlling authorities (water, fire brigade, power, gas)and

also Australian Standards, subsequently on smaller footprint developments within the Central City and Southbank areas.

Finally, it should be considered that the maximum 40% of site area available to be utilised for building services at ground level

may often drive the need to install basement or additional below ground level to accommodate these services.

Identifying challenges on smaller sites

28 AILA (Australian institute of

Landscape Architects)

No specific comments on Building services or 40% requirement Broadly supportive

29 Central Equity For sites with limited frontages, this may not be possible to achieve. Services authorities and utility providers have stringent

requirements that this control does not account for, The following authorities require direct street access for their utilities - MFB

(fire booster cupboards), Multinet (gas meters), Citipower (electricity substation) etc. The safety and efficient operation of a

building should not be compromised. There can be effective design solutions for services areas that integrate services into the

architecture of the development. While we support the intent of limiting services, this control is not realistic and we consider

that the focus should be on the design solution.

They give an example of 361 Queens street

that has minimal services provided and no

carparking but would still fail the 80%

requirement

30 Urbis (on behalf of 130 Little

Collins street)

The mandatory requirement around building services including waste, loading and parking to be less than 40% of the total site

area cannot necessarily be achieved on smaller sites, particularly those with smaller site frontages. While it is understood that

the reduction of services can result in an improved design outcome, the arbitrary nature of this design requirement will be

restrictive to development on a number of sites, particularly where service authorities and utility providers have strict

locational requirements. The focus of this control should be around design solutions and the integration of services within the

building design, rather than the enforcement of a somewhat unrealistic control. The requirement for 80% or 5 metres

(whichever is greater) of the site frontage to be an entry /display window etc, should be a design preference not a mandatory

requirement. This will be particularly important in Special Character Areas, which often contain a finer grain of development on

more constrained sites.

Identifying challenges on smaller sites

40 Urbis (on behalf of No.58

Southbank boulevard)

The requirement for building services including waste, loading and parking to be less than 40% is supported in terms of the

design intent and the positive outcome this will have on the public realm. However, the mandatory nature of this design

requirement will be restrictive to development where service authorities and utility providers have strict locational

requirements. This control should be assessed on a case by case basis, with a focus on design solutions rather than being a

prescriptive requirement.

Agree with principle. Disagree with

mandatory nature

Documents

Expert Witness Report - Building Services · This report provides an assessment of the potential building services impacts of Amendment 308 of the Melbourne Planning Scheme, specifically