Brisbane Green Buildings Incentive Policy
Brisbane City Council recognises the benefits of well-designed, green and energy efficient buildings, which include positive impacts to the environment, economy and the health and wellbeing of our community. To encourage the design of greener and more energy efficient buildings across Brisbane, Council has introduced the Brisbane Green Buildings Incentive Policy, aligning with our vision of a world class, design-led city.
Under the incentive, Council will provide a financial payment equivalent to 50 per cent of infrastructure charges paid for Council networks to buildings that meet criteria detailed below.
The incentive demonstrates Council’s commitment to the Brisbane’s Future Blueprint long‑term goal of ensuring best practice design that complements the character of Brisbane while supporting the recovery of the building and construction industry.
Eligibility
The incentive is available for both residential and commercial office buildings and the specific requirements for each building type are set out below.
A mixed-use building will be deemed eligible under the residential criteria if a component of the building is for residential purposes. A mixed-use building will be deemed eligible under the commercial criteria if the eligible commercial use makes up the majority of the building.
Applicants should review the:
- policy document, available to download above
- Brisbane Green Buildings Incentive Policy - Guideline (Word - 111kb)
- supporting information in the table below.
Applicants should also download the assessment methodology Council will use to assess applications:
Eligible developments need to:
- have a development application approved between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2022
- lodge a request for the incentive between 1 July 2022 and 31 December 2023
- pay or otherwise satisfy the levied charge for the project
- have a development approval in place under the Planning Act 2016 where an infrastructure charges notice has been given
- be a minimum of three storeys in height
- have no development offences committed in relation to the development under the Planning Act 2016.
In addition:
- Residential buildings must meet one of the below criteria.
- Commercial office buildings must achieve criteria three, four, and five.
- Where a sufficient level of compliance has been achieved, a combination of the below may be considered at Council’s discretion in extenuating circumstances.
Criteria | Overview | Supporting information |
---|---|---|
Criteria 1 5-star Green star rating from the Green Building Council Australia |
A minimum of 5-star rating is to be achieved using the “as built” certification. While there are other rating tools, such as “communities”, “interiors” and “performance”, applicants will need to be certified “as built” 5-star. |
Visit the Green Building Council Australia website. |
Criteria 2 UDIA Envirodevelopment six leaf certification |
For residential developments three to 15 storeys in height. |
Visit the Envirodevelopment website. |
Criteria 3 Compliance with the Buildings that Breathe Design Guide |
For buildings:
|
|
Criteria 4 Carbon neutral certification |
Certification must be achieved against the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard for Buildings. For commercial uses, the building must have at least the “base Building operation” certification, and residential building must achieve “whole building operation” certification. While other types of certification are given e.g. for events, organisations and precincts, applicants will need to be certified against the building standard. |
Visit the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources website. |
Criteria 5 Achieve a minimum green plot ratio |
Differences apply across residential vs commercial buildings. View the policy document for more information. |
Review the: |
How to apply
Read the supporting information for the criteria you wish to apply for and prepare the necessary documentation. Applications will open from 1 July 2022 to 31 December 2023.
Council may advise on the eligibility of proposed projects for the Brisbane Green Buildings Incentive by providing prelodgement advice on the design. However, any advice provided by Council is for guidance purposes only.
Final approval is subject to Council endorsement.
More information
For more information:
- email the project team
- phone Council on 3403 8888
- write to:
Design Brisbane
City Planning & Economic Development
Brisbane City Council
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane QLD 4001.