Regulatory Compliance
We help you navigate regulatory compliance with confidence, ensuring alignment with the National Construction Code (NCC) requirements and local planning policies. We provide clear, practical guidance to meet approval requirements while supporting design quality and performance.
Meeting Design Excellence + Energy Efficiency Objectives
Jensen Hughes’ energy and sustainability consultants provide expert advice on complying with the National Construction Code (NCC), associated legislation, and state-specific regulations. We help clients navigate approval pathways with practical solutions that uphold design excellence and operational performance.
BASIX and NatHERS
Our NatHERS accredited consultants use Home Energy Rating and Optimisation (HERO) software to model the thermal performance of your building and deliver a certified NatHERS star rating. We provide tailored glazing and insulation recommendations that support the architectural intent while considering the practical implications of BASIX and NatHERS commitments. We are committed to helping clients make informed design decisions from the outset, providing a summary of the water, energy, and thermal comfort requirements.
Section J compliance
Section J of the NCC aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by ensuring building energy efficiency. We highlight Section J energy efficiency requirements, provide assessments to ensure deemed to satisfy (DTS) provisions are met and prepare compliance statements through extensive analysis of reports and detailed inspections. We also highlight areas where the J1V3 verification method would be more practical or cost efficient.
J1V3 verification method
Our ESD consultants use advanced modelling software, including IES VE, to analyse the proposed building’s annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This ensures that the emissions do not exceed those of a building meeting DTS provisions. We provide detailed consultancy, technical advice, and reporting on design and material changes to support Section J compliance. Considering J1V3 verification method after the DTS assessment can lead to significant cost savings and design options while also helping to avoid disruptions and the need for post DA redesign.
DCP + SEARs Sustainability Reports
In New South Wales, development control plans (DCPs) and the secretary’s environmental assessment requirements (SEARs) set out key sustainability expectations for local council and state significant developments. These guidelines outline specific planning, design, and operational requirements to ensure projects align with environmental goals and community needs. At Jensen Hughes, our ESD consultants provide tailored assessments and expert guidance to help you navigate these requirements with confidence. By embedding sustainability early in the planning process, we support positive planning outcomes, ensure regulatory compliance, and help deliver long term environmental and community benefits.
Compliance Statements
We provide compliance inspections and completion statements for all sustainability services we deliver, ensuring a smooth handover to the certifying authority. Our team conduct onsite inspections, verifying that sustainable design measures have been properly implemented into the building. Where required, inspections are supported with clear evidence such as photographs, product documentation, receipts, and contractor installation certificates, ensuring that that your project meets its ESD commitments and targets.
Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS)
The BESS helps builders and developers in the planning permit stage achieve sustainable design outcomes for communities, contributing to the creation of more environmentally responsible and resource efficient buildings.
What is BESS?
The BESS is a tool used to assess and improve the sustainability performance of buildings and developments. It offers a comprehensive framework for evaluating various environmental impacts and sustainability practices throughout the building lifecycle. The BESS assesses criteria such as energy efficiency, water usage, indoor environmental quality, and materials sustainability.
Why do I need a BESS?
By scoring different aspects of a project, BESS helps to pinpoint areas for improvement, inform design and construction decisions, and encourage best practices in sustainability. With the BESS tool, our ESD experts can assess factors like water efficiency and thermal comfort to suggest ways to improve a building's sustainability performance. Using energy, thermal, daylight, and glare simulations further allows us to rationalise designs to achieve compliance while maximising the natural lighting and window area in a dwelling.
Meet our Experts
Ruifong Ong
Manager, Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD)
Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering (Honours) (Class 2), Graduate Certificate, Business, WELL Accredited Professional, Green Star Accredited Professional
Naveed Saleh
Sustainability Consultant
Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Sustainability (Sustainable Design), NatHERS Accreditation (TBC), LCA Accreditation (TBC)
