The NSW State Design Review Panel (SDRP) delivers independent, expert and consistent design quality advice on projects that have or will undergo assessment by the state. The program provides a best-practice, statewide approach to the review of state-significant projects, precincts and infrastructure.
Panellists are independent and highly qualified design professionals. They represent a variety of skills across design in the built environment and bring a diversity of experience and insight. Panel members have cross-disciplinary expertise in the areas of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, sustainability, and Aboriginal and European culture and heritage.
The panel contributes to good design by offering practical advice to proponents. Critical issues can be raised early in the development process, helping proponents to make well-informed decisions about the design development of proposals. It streamlines approvals by providing confidence to the consent authority and other decision makers on the design quality of projects.
About the NSW State Design Review Panel
Launched as a pilot program in April 2018 to test and demonstrate best-practice design review, the panel, led and managed by the Government Architect NSW, is now a well-established program.
The panel became a permanent, ongoing body in November 2020. It has been expanded to include a team of state government design champions and 5 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members with expertise in design and Aboriginal cultural heritage to promote opportunities to Design with Country.
As of end 2023, the panel has provided advice on almost 300 projects, supporting better design quality and faster assessment by the department’s assessment teams. Types of projects include social, affordable and market housing, build to rent, seniors and student housing, schools, hospitals, university research and teaching buildings, public institutions, concept plans for new precincts, transport infrastructure, sport facilities and private, mixed-use developments.
In 2023, the SDRP program celebrated its 5th birthday with the development of a book, 101 Design Ideas from 5 Years of SDRP (PDF, 6 MB). Envisaged as a repository of insights gleaned from the panel across the years, the book is intended to be a useful resource for project proponents, partners, and design teams alike.
Reducing session wait times
In May 2023, the Wait Time Reduction Scheme was established to reduce wait times for SDRP sessions for private projects.
The scheme:
- reduces wait times to acceptable levels
- monitors impacts to inform future adjustments to the SDRP to maintain its effectiveness, timeliness and value.
To achieve the aims of the scheme, the following conditions apply for review by the SDRP.
- Private projects on private land only
- Minimum capital investment value (CIV) thresholds:
- $40M: New schools
- $75M: Residential development seeking infill affordable housing bonuses.
- $100M: All other private projects on private land
- Limit of two reviews/project
CIV thresholds and review limit do not apply:
- to stage 1 concept plan applications or other projects seeking significant changes to planning controls
- to any project where review by the SDRP is required by an EPI
- where the SDRP is part of an endorsed alternative to a competitive design process
- to all projects led by a government agency or on government-owned land.
Booking a session
You can book a session with the panel via the SDRP’s digital portal. Reviews will be scheduled as close as possible to the requested date. For private projects on private land, if no sessions are available within 12 weeks, review by the SDRP is not required.
- To register for an account, visit the NSW Planning Portal.
- For information on registering, including quick reference guides, go to the NSW Planning Portal’s applicant resources.
Needing help using the NSW Planning Portal, contact:
- Service NSW on 1300 305 695
- email [email protected]
Visit the SDRP digital portal.