Expert panel to oversee design quality of new major developments
04 June 2019
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Design WA guidelines to ensure apartments are built to higher standards gazetted today
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Design WA will ensure good design is at the heart of all development
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Inaugural State Design Review Panel now appointed to help guide new development
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Independent advisory process supports the introduction of Design WA
Western Australia's first-ever State Design Review
Panel has been appointed to oversee the
design quality of major new
development proposals.
A pool of 50 highly-qualified experts will provide independent advice on
the design quality of major development proposals, in time for today's
gazettal of the first tranche of the State Government's new
Design WA
policy.
From today, new
apartment developments need to adhere to Design WA codes
to ensure all development is underpinned by good design, from the
concept stage through to delivery.
It uses a performance-based approach to planning and design and is
founded on 10 design principles including local character and context,
sustainability, tree retention and amenity.
The newly-appointed design review panel comprises 37 experts from the
core disciplines of planning, architecture, urban design and landscape
architecture, and 13 specialists with expertise in heritage,
sustainability, engineering and public health.
The establishment of this panel is vital to the implementation of Design
WA policies and guidelines - placing good design at the heart of all
development.
The panel will provide advice to government agencies, decision-makers
and proponents, including the WA Planning Commission, Development
Assessment Panels, redevelopment authorities, statutory authorities and
local governments and will be chaired by the Government Architect Geoff
Warn.
Assessing design quality as part of the planning process allows the
opportunities presented by new developments to be fully realised, and
can help expedite development application approvals, ultimately saving
both time and cost.
Comments attributed to Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The community want developments that fit in with their surroundings and
are vibrant and sustainable.
"Today's gazettal will increase confidence and certainty by providing
clearly-defined design standards that address critical issues such as
parking, privacy and tree retention.
"The community has every right to expect that major developments perform
well and can be designed sensitively and in keeping with the locations
amenity, heritage and context.
"Taking action now will help us to create a legacy of well-considered,
functional and attractive
buildings, public spaces and infrastructure that will stand the test
of time, for the benefit of generations of Western Australians to come."
Comments attributed to Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister for
Planning John Carey MLA:
"The establishment of the panel is another key milestone towards our
State doing density better.
"Having a panel of this calibre, with the potential to positively
influence significant projects, presents an opportunity for the State to
lead by example.
"It demonstrates that creating more vibrant, livable communities is the
responsibility of both government and private sector and spans the
entire range of developments - be they commercial, residential, civic or
mixed-use."
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Source: Western Australia Government - www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au
Contact: Minister's office - 6552 5500
External Links: N/A
Recent news by: WA Government