DESIGN EXCELLENCE PANELThe introduction of the Sydney Metro Northwest is changing the way development will occur and it is important that buildings be outstanding to provide not only the housing and jobs we need, but a positive contribution to the public realm. Higher density development that will accompany the rail link requires more critical consideration of design elements and the Design Excellence Panel will provide expert advice and alternative solutions to design elements.

The Design Excellence Panel is an advisory service which provides an opportunity for applicants to receive expert design feedback on developments over 25 metres (8 storeys).

These meetings will identify any design issues which needto be appropriately addressed before the consent of adevelopment application. In turn, this will allow for smoother processing of the development application.

Applicants are invited to submit pre-DA applications to thePanel for design review in addition to the submission of DAapplications.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE PANEL?• The Design Excellence Panel (‘the Panel’) is to evaluate and critique design aspects of proposed development and provide recommendations on whether development exhibits “Design Excellence”. • The role of the Panel to provide recommendations to the body responsible for granting consent. • It is not a decision making body but rather advisory to the process.• This panel will operate as an Independent Panel and does not operate as a SEPP 65 Advisory Panel.

WHAT DEVELOPMENTS DOES THE PANEL APPLY TO?• Any development (residential, retail, seniors housing, mixed-use or commercial land uses) which contains a building with a height of 25 metres or higher (includingapplicationsformodificationofconsentthat include external alterations); or• Any strategic planning matters for which design excellence is relevant.

WHAT ARE DEVELOPMENTS ASSESSED AGAINST?The Panel will provide advice on applications for development/pre-development applications (on request) against: • The Hills Local Strategic Planning Statement ;• The Hills Local Environmental Plan;• The Hills Development Control Plan; and• Any other plan, policy or guide necessary to ensure that the built form and design of the development responds to the site and locality.These documents can be accessed via Council’s website.

WHO IS ON THE PANEL?• TwoCouncilofficersappointedbytheGeneral Manager; and • One external expert.

WHAT IS REQUIRED?The following documentation will be provided to Councilstaff(electronicallyandtwo(2)hardcopies)15workingdays before the meeting:• Architectural Drawings in A3 size format;• Electronic Model in Sketchup format; and• All other supporting studies or relevant information.

FAC

TSHEET

www.thehills.nsw.gov.au | 9843 0555

Applicants will be invited to attend the Panel meeting to present their development concept and to respond to questions from the Panel members. A maximum of 5 members from the applicant’s team may attend.

WHAT IS THE COST?The cost of all Panel meetings is at the applicant’s expense.ThePanelcostis$2,910.00andisrequiredtobelodgedwiththedevelopmentapplication,modificationapplication,or application to present at a Panel hearing. ApplicationswithdrawnfromascheduledPanelmeetinglessthan14days before the meeting date forfeit the Panel meeting fee. A new fee is payable to attend a further meeting.

WHAT WILL I RECEIVE?You will be provided with a record of advice andrecommendations of the Panel.

SCHEDULING OF A PANEL MEETING• The date of the meeting will be every second

Wednesdayofthemonth,unlessotherwisespecified.• Panel meetings are subject to availability, contact

Council to schedule a meeting date.

CONTACT COUNCILCustomer Service Centre 3ColumbiaCourt,NorwestNSW2153Phone:98430555Hours:8:30am—4:30pm|MondaytoFridayWebsite: www.thehills.nsw.gov.au

www.thehills.nsw.gov.au | 9843 0555

FLOWCHART OF PROCEDURES

Applicant lodges pre-development application with Council

Applicant lodges development application with Council

Meeting agenda drafted and approved by the Chairperson

Panel minutes/report drafted by Chairperson and circulated for approval by Panel members

Applicant amends design and submits material to Council

Panel members review material

Panel members approve draft minutes/report

Finalminutes/reportsubmittedforDevelopmentAssessmentOfficer

DevelopmentAssessmentOfficernotify applicant of the decision of

the Panel and is supplied with a copy of the minutes/report including additional material

Amended design required? (2 weeks)

Advisory Panel minutes/report forms part of the development assessment

Site Visit

Panel Meeting

Panelmembersnotifiedofthetimeand location of the Panel Meeting and are

supplied with an agenda

NoYes

AssessmentOfficerdistributes Pre/DA material to Council’s Urban

Designer/Architect