Blue Factor: What's Replacing STORM for Stormwater Compliance in Victoria
Published
Victoria's stormwater compliance has just had an upgrade, and it's catching developers off guard.
Victoria's stormwater compliance has just had an upgrade, and it's catching developers off guard. STORM is being phased out, with Blue Factor now the go-to tool for demonstrating Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) compliance.
What's Required and When
Blue Factor is required for new buildings, large extensions (50m² and above), and subdivisions in commercial zones. It's not the only tool available, but it offers a streamlined, council-aligned way to demonstrate WSUD compliance.
What's Changed
- STORM is out. Blue Factor replaces it with a more comprehensive scoring system.
- More than Nitrogen. It assesses Suspended Solids, Phosphorous and Gross Pollutants, not just Total Nitrogen.
- Smarter inputs. WELS-rated fixtures, irrigation, and water source types can now be factored in.
- Built-in council offsets. Making compliance easier and more tailored to your design.
Still a Work in Progress
Blue Factor is still in development. Fewer treatment types and limited class categories mean some projects need creative solutions to meet compliance. We're working directly with councils across Victoria to understand what's acceptable, which means we can help prepare WSUD reports that meet compliance without the guesswork.
