About the State Design Review Panel
The State Design Review Panel (SDRP) was established on 3 April 2019 by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) to provide objective, professional advice regarding the design quality of State significant development proposals and projects. This advice enables informed decision-making and supports the delivery of good design outcomes that provide social, environmental and economic benefits to all Western Australians. State design review is administered by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
The SDRP aims to support the implementation of State Planning Policy 7.0 Design of the Built Environment (SPP 7.0) and enhance the quality of the built environment. It provides advice to:
- proponents (including government agencies) on built environment design quality matters and opportunities to align significant development proposals with SPP 7.0, to inform design development during the pre-lodgement phase
- the WAPC and other decision-makers on the design quality of lodged significant development proposals and projects, in accordance with SPP 7.0, to support design assessment and statutory decision-making.
Panel Members
The SDRP comprises a diverse pool of built environment specialists from a range of disciplines including architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, planning, heritage, sustainability, transport planning, public art, engineering, Aboriginal cultural heritage and engagement. The SDRP is chaired by the Government Architect.
Panel members are appointed for a term of up to four years, with half the pool renewing every two years.
Terms of Reference
The SDRP Terms of Reference (October 2025) can be found on the WAPC website.
Meet the Panel Members
Show moreBiographies of the Panel members can be found below.
- Philip Gresley - Deputy Chair
- Geoffrey London - Deputy Chair
Design review project eligibility
Show moreSDRP advice is typically sought by government agencies or statutory decision-makers on State significant development applications and public works proposals. This includes proposals intending to lodge via the Part 11B Significant Development Pathway, State significant development proposals and other matters as required by the WAPC.
All referrals to the SDRP, other than those required by a statutory planning instrument, must be approved by the WAPC Chair, who may seek the advice of the Government Architect (SDRP Chair). Approval of a referral is assessed against a range of factors which are outlined in the SDRP Terms of Reference.
A request for SDRP review can be made by completing the Design Review Request Form.
At what stage should design review occur?
Show moreDesign review should be undertaken early in the design process, ideally during the pre-lodgement phase, well before a development application is submitted.
Engaging in design review at this point ensures the proponent can apply advice when the design is still flexible enough to accommodate changes without major impacts on time or cost.
Early design review provides an opportunity to enhance the quality and value of a proposal before the cost of changes outweighs the benefits. It can also improve built outcomes, reduce project costs and support early identification of risks. In addition, it provides confidence in design concepts prior to investment in detailed design and can assist in streamlining development application approvals.
Benefits of design review
Show moreEngaging in design review improves the design quality of proposals and supports planning and decision-making processes. This helps to ensure the delivery of high-quality buildings and places that benefit occupants, neighbours and the broader community.
Benefits for proponents (clients, developers, design teams)
- Early recommendations for change, before detailed design has occurred, when the impacts on time and costs are less.
- Improved value for money.
- Constructive, independent and multi-disciplinary design advice.
- Support for good design and the flexibility needed to pursue innovative design solutions.
- Early confirmation of foundational design approaches before project variables are set.
- Improved project risk management.
Benefits for referring bodies/responsible authorities
- Independent advice on design quality to facilitate informed decision-making.
- Increased certainty in assessing design quality against SPP 7.0.
- Access to a multi-disciplinary panel of experts where internal organisational expertise is lacking.
Benefits for decision-makers
- Expert, independent advice on the design quality of a proposal to facilitate informed decision-making.
- Assists in the exercise of discretion in decision-making.
Benefits for communities
- Improved contribution to the public realm and responsiveness to adjacent development and surrounding context.
- Assurance that an independent panel of design experts has provided advice on a proposal.
- Improved social, economic, and environmental benefits from development.
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