ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT
A small self contained, but not separately titled, dwelling that is located within, attached to, or detached from, a principle dwelling, similar to a granny flat.
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. http://www.basix.nsw.gov.au/
BIOBANKING
For information on Biobanking go to: http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/threatspec/biobankbill.htm
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)
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.
CARBON DIOXIDE EQUIVALENT (CO2-e)
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.
DWELLING EQUIVALENTS
All types of accommodation occupied or with future potential to be occupied by residents including homesites, detatched and semidetatched dwellings, townhouses, home units and apartments.
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 for detailed description).
FRIABLE ASBESTOS
Any material that contains asbestos that can be crumbled, pulverised or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry. Friable asbestos-containing materials include sprayed asbestos insulation, pipe and boiler insulation and non-bonded asbestos fabric.
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
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 –18oC 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.
GREYWATER
Domestic wastewater excluding toilet waste, but may include wastewater arising from a hand basin, kitchen, bath, shower and laundry. For further information go to: http://www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/GreyWater/
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 $47,000 and $71,000 per year (2006 dollars).
OH&S
Occupational Health and Safetly.
ON-SITE DETENTION
The detention of stormwater on a site or an estate. Usually through pits or basins.
PEAK DISCHARGES
The most intense stormwater flow during a rain event.
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.
VIRGIN EXCAVATED NATURAL MATERIAL (VENM)
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.
WASTEWATER
Used water and sewage that goes down sinks, toilets and outside drains. It is categorised as either greywater or black water. http://www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/GreyWater/
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.
