Australian Building Greenhouse Rating
(ABGR) |
Commercial building energy and greenhouse rating tool. |
| Average Recurrence Interval (ARI) |
The long-term average number of years between the occurrence of a flood as big as (or larger than) the selected event. For example, floods with a discharge as great as (or greater than) the 20-year ARI flood will occur on average once every 20 years. |
| BASIX |
The Building Sustainability Index is a web based rating tool that calculates the water and energy efficiency of new homes. The NSW Government introduced BASIX so new homes are designed and built to use up to 40% less water and produce 40% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than today’s average home. www.basix.nsw.gov.au |
CO2
(Carbon dioxide) |
A colourless, odourless, non-poisonous gas that is a normal part of our atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a product of fossil fuel combustion. It is the most significant greenhouse gas because it is released in vast quantities, mainly as a result of burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas. |
CO2e
(Carbon dioxide equivalent) |
Greenhouse gas emissions which include other gases such as methane are often measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, which means the equivalent amount of CO2 emissions which would have the same effect. |
Endangered Ecological Communities
(EEC) |
An assemblage of species occupying a particular area that are in danger of becoming extinct (refer to NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 for detailed description |
| Greenhouse gas |
Greenhouse gases absorb heat and warm the lower atmosphere, although they comprise only 1% of it by volume. In the absence of greenhouse gases the average global temperature would be about –18°C and the earth would be uninhabitable. However, the concentration of greenhouse gases has been rising, mainly as a result of burning fossil fuels. This is thought to be the cause of climate change. The more common greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide and methane. |
| Masterplan |
An interpretation of the planning controls and urban design principles for a site setting the framework for future development. |
| Mean annual load |
The yearly average amount of material discharged. Often refers to discharge of water pollutants into a river or creek. |
| Moderate Income Housing |
Housing that is affordable to those households on incomes between $53,073 and $79,611 per year in 2008/2009. |
NABERS Energy
(National Australian Built Environment Rating System - Energy) |
NABERS Energy is a rating tool that measures and compares the energy and greenhouse performance of commercial buildings. |
NatHERS
(Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) |
NatHERS provides a framework that allows various computer software tools to rate the potential energy efficiency of Australian homes. NatHERS defines the minimum set of information that must be used by all software tools. |
| OHS&R |
Occupational Health, Safety and Rehabilitation. |
| Potable water |
Water that is drinkable |
| RAMSAR |
The convention on wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The Ramsar list of wetlands includes 1,611 wetland sites of international importance. |
| Riparian corridor |
Land directly adjacent to or surrounding a natural or artificial waterway, including rivers, intermittent or permanent creeks and streams, wetlands and lakes. The corridors provide a crucial link between land and water ecosystems. |
| Stormwater |
Surface water resulting from heavy rain. |
| Threatened species |
A species that is either endangered, vulnerable or presumed extinct. |
| Total nitrogen |
Total nitrogen is the sum of nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and organic nitrogen. Nitrogen is found in fertilisers and contributes to algal blooms and excessive aquatic plant growth. |
| Total phosphorus |
The total concentration of phosphorus found in the water. Phosphorus is a plant nutrient found in many fertilisers, increasing the growth of plant life such as algae. |
| Total suspended solids |
Total suspended solids (TSS) is a measure of the mass of fine inorganic particles suspended in the water. TSS concentration has important ecological impacts including decreasing the light penetration into the water column, clogging gills of fish and smothering aquatic habitat. |
VENM
(Virgin Excavated Natural Material) |
A site’s endemic ground material such as clay, gravel, sand, soil and rock that is not mixed with any other waste, and has been excavated from areas that are not contaminated with manufactured chemicals as a result of industrial, commercial, mining or agricultural activities. |
Water Sensitive Urban Design
(WSUD) |
WSUD refers to the design principles that aim to reduce the impact of interactions between the urban built form (including urban landscapes) and the urban water cycle as defined by the three urban water streams of potable water, wastewater and stormwater. |