Our Design Review Panel is a group of independent experts, including architects, urban designers and landscape architects, who provide feedback and advice about the design of developments. The aim of the Panel is to improve the quality and consistency of design throughout our city.
Some development applications must be reviewed by the Design Review Panel. These include:
- Developments that are assessed under the State Environment Planning Policy (Housing) 2021 (also known as the Housing SEPP),
- Buildings in the City Centre or other key sites specified in the Wollongong Local Environmental Plan 2009.
Getting feedback from the Design Review Panel is optional for all other types of building-related development.
A proposed development can be sent to the Design Review Panel either before or after you lodge a development application.
After the Design Review Panel meeting, the Panel will provide written advice to both the applicant and Council.
Getting ready for a Design Review Panel meeting
Before booking an appointment with the Design Review Panel, please make sure you’ve completed the following steps. These will help ensure your proposal is ready for review and meets Council’s requirements:
- Check Council’s planning rules: Review relevant Codes, Policies and Planning Instruments to confirm your proposal aligns with Council’s planning requirements.
- Understand your site: Carry out a site analysis to identify any constraints and opportunities that may affect your development.
- Explore development options: Consider different design approaches to show why your preferred option is suitable for the site.
- Prepare your preliminary plans: These plans must be submitted to Council before a meeting date can be scheduled.
- Show the surrounding context: Include drawings that show your proposed development in relation to nearby buildings and the streetscape.
- Demonstrate compliance: Clearly mark building heights, height planes, setbacks, and building envelope controls (where applicable) on your plans, sections, and elevations.
- Include landscape details: Provide drawings of the proposed landscape areas and materials, showing how they relate to the building and surrounding development.
- Describe the changing context: If your site is in an area where the built form is evolving, include statements about the current and expected future context.
- Add photomontages: Include visual representations (photomontages) of your proposed development within its surrounding environment.
How to apply for a Design Review Panel meeting
If you'd like to meet with the Design Review Panel before submitting a development application to Council, you can apply online.
In your application you'll need to include:
- a copy of your site analysis or site plan,
- preliminary plans and drawings of your proposed development,
- any other supporting documentation relevant to your proposal, and
- have paid the appropriate Design Review Panel fee.
Please note: If your development application is already under assessment, please do not apply online. Instead, contact Council directly to make arrangements for a Design Review Panel meeting.
Apply online
Before you can apply, you need to log in or register in our Online Services system.
Once you are logged in, select Lodge an Application, then Planning & Development and Design Review Panel Meeting (Pre-DA).
Once your application is received, we’ll get in touch with you to book an appointment.
Meeting application fees apply - see current fees below.
Design Review Panel fees
| Parent HierarchyArea | Fee NameFee Name | GSTGST | Current Fee (incl. GST)Current Fee (incl. GST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent HierarchyDevelopment Assessment | Development Application Fees | Design Review Panel | Fee NameApplication under SEPP 65 | GSTN | Fee incl. GST$3,996.00 |
| Parent HierarchyDevelopment Assessment | Development Application Fees | Design Review Panel | Fee NameApplication under WLEP 2009 (Cl 7.18) and SEPP 65 | GSTN | Fee incl. GST$3,996.00 |
| Parent HierarchyDevelopment Assessment | Pre-lodgement Meeting For Proposed Development (Fee Per Meeting) | Design Review Panel Pre-lodgement Meeting | Fee NameDevelopment under SEPP 65 | GSTN | Fee incl. GST$3,808.78 |
| Parent HierarchyDevelopment Assessment | Pre-lodgement Meeting For Proposed Development (Fee Per Meeting) | Design Review Panel Pre-lodgement Meeting | Fee NameDevelopment under WLEP 2009 (Cl 7.18) | GSTN | Fee incl. GST$3,808.78 |
| Parent HierarchyDevelopment Assessment | Development Application Fees | Design Review Panel | Fee NameMixed Use / Commercial Developments >$5 Million | GSTN | Fee incl. GST$3,770.00 |
| Parent HierarchyDevelopment Assessment | Development Application Fees | Design Review Panel | Fee NameMulti-Dwelling Housing (>10 Villas / Townhouses) | GSTN | Fee incl. GST$3,770.00 |
| Parent HierarchyDevelopment Assessment | Pre-lodgement Meeting For Proposed Development (Fee Per Meeting) | Design Review Panel Pre-lodgement Meeting | Fee NameOther development proposals | GSTN | Fee incl. GST$2,890.00 |
| Parent HierarchyDevelopment Assessment | Development Application Fees | Design Review Panel | Fee NameRefund for Withdrawal of Development Application (prior to determination) | GSTN | Descriptive Fee Narrative Up to 80% of original DA fee (at the discretion of Area Manager) |
| Parent HierarchyDevelopment Assessment | Development Application Fees | Design Review Panel | Fee NameSeniors Housing Developments | GSTN | Fee incl. GST$3,770.00 |