Technical Authority: DGEP
Subject Matter Expert: AD Zone//Master Planning

AIM

The Defence Estate Principles of Development are one of the initiatives under the Defence estate reform stream.  They have been developed to assist in giving effect to Strategic Reform Program (SRP) initiatives such as smarter use of resources and reducing duplication of services on bases.  The application of these principles will have either a direct or indirect relationship to the SRP initiatives under the 15 reform streams.

The application of these principles to operational airbases shall also have regard to the requirements to maintain airbase survivability.

The Principles of Development have been grouped under nine headings which identify specific issues that the principles are intended to address. 

A ‘principle’ in the context of the Principles of Development is a statement of a desirable outcome which provides guidance for decisions related to development of the Defence estate. 

The Principles of Development provide guidance on how the Defence estate is to be developed.  They are to be considered and generally complied with when making decisions about the planning, design, siting and development of buildings, facilities and other infrastructure within the Defence estate.  Any non compliance must be identified and justified throughout the infrastructure asset development life-cycle process.

These principles do not replace any existing policy documents or statutory requirements.  In some cases they will complement and reinforce existing policies.  The principles do not contain any specific development standards, given the evolving nature of infrastructure requirements and relevant legislation.  Application of these principles must have due regard to value-for money considerations.

Compliance with the principles in design, siting and delivery of buildings and capital works will facilitate long term reduction in the cost of operating and maintaining bases.  For example, adherence to some of the principles under ‘Utilisation of the Defence Estate’ will support the consolidation of kitchens/messes which is identified in the Hospitality and Catering Services SRP initiative.  Other principles support reduction of duplicated services and facilities which will assist in reducing the overall operating costs of bases.  Another example of the Principles of Development supporting the SRP is the principle outlining the requirement for developments to adopt sustainable water management practices, which will assist in meeting the reform objective of reducing water utilities and ground maintenance costs.

The 2009 Defence White Paper identified five strategic basing principles to guide the future of the Defence estate.  One of these principles is to “consolidate units into fewer, larger more sustainable multi-user bases aimed at increasing the alignment of functions at Joint and Service level and their capacity to support operations.”   This presents many challenges for the way the Defence estate is developed.

The White Paper also clearly references Defence’s commitment to sustainable environmental management.  A robust planning framework, including environmental impact assessment, underpins the development of the Defence estate, securing both its capability and environmental values into the longer term.

The Strategic Reform Program (SRP) provided guidance for reforming and improving Defence estate management through improved governance and business process.  Stewardship of the estate was reformed under five key themes, including planning and delivery.  The adoption of ‘principles of development’ is consistent with both these themes and will provide a useful mechanism to guide and control development of the Defence estate, including better utilisation of land, functional alignment, consolidation of activities and reducing land use conflict.

In order to achieve greater efficiencies in the long term cost of running bases and infrastructure and to minimise the risks of poor development outcomes occurring within the Defence estate it was considered crucial that additional guidance in the form of ‘principles of development’ be adopted.  The Principles of Development were prepared to ensure that there is better utilisation of land, improved functional alignment, consolidation of activities and a reduction in land use conflict across the Defence estate.

Extensive consultation was undertaken during the development of these principles. Defence Estate Performance and Investment Committee (DEPIC) initially considered a draft set of principles in February 2011 which were subsequently modified in response to feedback from DEPIC members.  The Deputy Secretary Defence Support endorsed the final draft of the Defence Estate Principles of Development in February 2012.