Design Review Panel

What do I need to provide? 

Proponents are encouraged to seek the advice of the Design Review Panel from the earliest possible stages of conceptual design. Therefore, the Panel is willing to consider proposals under consideration by proponents that are in the early stages of formulation through to formally drafted plans.

Proponents should provide the following to Council Officers at least two weeks prior to a scheduled DRP meeting:

• Presentation (if desired), addressing the below items, in addition to briefly addressing
  the 10 Design Principles of State Planning Policy 7.0 – Design of the Built Environment;
• Relevant concept plans/drawings, including (though not limited to):
  1. Site analysis and response to the site analysis, including:
     1. Site and locality context plan (including aerial imagery, surrounding land uses, and prominent features);
     2. Survey plan for the subject site; and,
     3. Elevations and illustrations of the existing streetscape context;
  2. The proposed development plans, including (though not limited to):
     1. Site plan;
     2. Demolition plan (if relevant);
     3.  Floor plans; and,
     4.  Elevations.
  3. Any relevant reports, written justification, or other relevant information, including
     (though not limited to):
     1. Response to heritage and culturally significant elements;
     2. Retention of existing vegetation, provision of modified/additional landscaping areas, and provision of vegetation;
     3. Building and design studies;
     4. Detail regarding how the proposal interacts with its context and impacts on resident, neighbour, and community context;
     5. Vehicle manoeuvring diagrams, and indication of service vehicle access, including loading/unloading areas (if relevant to the proposal);
     6. Solar and wind orientation diagrams, indicating solar and ventilation access for the site, and overshadowing of other sites;
     7. Communal open spaces and areas provided for public benefit, including publicly accessible areas and potential for public art; and,
     8. Other relevant advice, documentation, or elements which assist in understanding the proposal.
• Response to previous DRP meeting notes (if previous DRP meetings have been held for the proposal), clearly stating how the revised submission has addressed the previous DRP comments.

The concept plans/drawings and response to the DRP meeting notes should be provided in  a PDF format, or through a large file transfer format such as Dropbox. Please note that the DRP may not be able to provide detailed positive comments with respect to submissions that are incomplete, or which lack sufficient detail. Therefore, please ensure that the submission comprises all the required information and detail prior to lodgement for DRP review.

Following the satisfactory submission of the required information, Council Officers will advise the proponent of whether they are required to attend the meeting, and if so, their allocated attendance date and time. Please note that depending on the number and complexity of the items to be considered at a DRP meeting, lower priority or late/incomplete items may be referred to a different meeting. This rare occurrence will be clearly communicated to the proponent within a reasonable timeframe

What is the format of the meetings? 

At the discretion of the Chief Community Planner or Manager Development Services, DRP meetings generally follow the following format: 

1. Initial closed briefing by Council Officers to Panel members including : 
   1. Site history and background. 
   2. Surrounding context and proposed or approved developments. 
   3. Compliance with planning controls and relevant design criteria. 
   4. Initial Panel comments and discussion. 
2. Proponent attendance and presentation. 
   1. Client provides their vision for the project. 
   2. Design team presentation to explain the project.

      Note – as the DRP members have received and reviewed the plans prior to the meeting, it is not necessary for proponents to provide an exhaustive detailed presentation. Generally, the presentation is expected to be 5-10 minutes in duration.

3. Panel questions and clarifications clarifications from, the proponents as required.
4. Panel comments and discussion, with opportunity for the proponent to discuss matters directly in response 
5. Panel comments summarised and offer closing remarks. 
6. Conclude discussions. 
7. Proponent departs. 

In most instances a period of 45 minutes to 60 minutes will be allocated for each agenda item. 

What does the DRP consider? 

The DRP is to have regard to the applicable planning framework in providing comments and feedback to Council Officers and applicants, including (though not limited to):

• The 10 Design Principles State Planning Policy 7.0 - Design of The Built Environment (SPP
  7.0);
• The Towns Local Planning Scheme No. 2;
• Applicable State and Local Planning Policies;
• Applicable Structure Plans, Local Development Plans, and other relevant planning
  instruments; and,
• Residential Design Codes, Volume 1 & Volume 2 – Apartments.

The DRP are not bound by the planning framework, and therefore may make recommendations or support variations that are outside the applicable development standards for the site, where it is considered that this would deliver a better design outcome.

Proponents are strongly advised to refer to Local Planning Policy 33 – Guide to Concessions on Planning Requirements for Mixed-Use Multi Dwelling and Non-Residential Developments to gain an understanding of the standards that development proposals are required to demonstrate when seeking a concession on planning requirements.

The Town, or relevant Responsible Authority, is not bound by advice given by the DRP but shall give due regard to the advice provided. In providing advice to Council Officers and the applicant, the role of the DRP is to identify:
• Design strengths;
• Design weaknesses; and,
• Opportunities for design improvements and possible alternative options.

Notes of meeting 

The DRP Chair will prepare notes summarising the discussion that occurs at the DRP meeting, specifically relating to how the proposal addresses the 10 Design Principles of SPP 7.0. The DRP Chair will endeavour to generally forward the notes to proponents within five working days of the meeting.