The Sustainable Subdivisions Framework (SSF) is a framework that seeks to provide statutory planners with a basis for measuring and achieving stronger sustainability outcomes in residential subdivisions. This is being tested through existing planning process in a trial phase by 31 Councils in partnership with CASBE.  The 18-month trial was recently extended for a further 6-months due to a longer than expected learning period. Revised SSF and trial resources were released in October 2021, which will be trialed over the next 12 months.

Eight councils from the GMCA have appointed a shared Environmentally Sustainable Development Advisor to specifically work on sustainable subdivisions with councils and developers in their municipalities for a 12 month period to October 2023.

The shared SSF ESD Advisor will aim to implement the SSF to improve health and environment. The SSF provides for a walkable and cycleable communities connected to social infrastructure such as parks, playgrounds, community gardens and open space. It integrates biodiversity and IWM into the subdivision design to support liveability and environmental protection.