# 4.1 Materials Selection – Low Carbon Materials
Selecting low carbon and recycled materials in new subdivisions supports resource efficiency, reduces embodied emissions, and encourages sustainable construction practices. Careful material choices help create resilient, future-ready neighbourhoods.
The Victorian Planning Provisions include the following objectives for materials selection:
- To use recycled materials for the construction of streets, shared paths, and other infrastructure where practicable (56.08-1).
- To improve the energy performance of buildings through the use of low embodied energy materials and encourage recycled and reusable materials in construction (15.01-2S).
- To create urban structures that support waste minimisation and increased resource recovery (15.01-3S).
BESS rewards subdivisions using the Infrastructure Design Manual Sustainable Infrastructure Guidelines to identify, select and demonstrate lower carbon choices.