Design Excellence Panel

On 6 August 2019 Council resolved to establish the Campbelltown Design Excellence Panel (CDEP) which commenced operation in March 2020. The objective is to increase the focus on quality urban and building design outcomes that meet Council’s vision and create great and interesting places for people who live and work in or visit Campbelltown.

The primary function of the CDEP is to provide independent advice on the design quality of certain development types and development control plans. The CDEP is comprised of qualified architects, urban designers and landscape architects who are considered proficient in providing expert advice on development applications and development control plans relating to significant residential and/or commercial development within the Campbelltown Local Government Area.

Due to the scale and complexity in assessing these types of developments, it is imperative that the principles of design excellence are incorporated at an early stage in the assessment process, particularly when other relevant technical and/or merit-based requirements must also be taken into consideration. The CDEP will:

  • Examine, evaluate and critique the design aspects of relevant commercial, residential and community developments and recommend changes that achieve the objectives of relevant planning controls and an optimum design outcome
  • Provide advice for proponents and their professional consultants to improve quality of design
  • Proponents will be encouraged to engage with members of the CDEP during the pre-lodgement stage of development

Meetings will not be open to the public, however, councillors and staff will attend as required.

Authority

The CDEP’s formation was undertaken consistent with the principles contained in the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s ‘Apartment Design Guide 2015’, which was developed to assist councils in ensuring good design for residential apartments.

The CDEP is advisory only. It does not have a decision making function, but instead provides advice to assist Campbelltown City Council in making decisions and to proponents in achieving design excellence.

Notably, if the CDEP supports a proposal, this does not mean that Council will approve the proposal, as Council in addition to design excellence, considers a range of other matters in the assessment of an application.

Campbelltown Design Excellence Panel Members

  • Lynne Hancock
  • Matthew Taylor
  • Tony Quinn
  • Aldo Raadik
  • Iain Stewart
  • Michael Stott

Meetings

CDEP meetings will require a quorum of three members, one of whom will be appointed as chairperson by the Director of City Development.

For a meeting to proceed it requires:

  • Documentation to be provided to members electronically one week before the meeting
  • Members to familiarise themselves with the proposal/application
  • Members to have conducted an inspection of the site and surrounding area

Meeting Procedure

  • Meetings are not open to the public
  • Council staff shall attend meetings and take minutes
  • Panel members will review written minutes and the chairperson will approve for circulation
  • Council staff will then circulate minutes to panel members, relevant staff and the proponent within 7 days of the meeting

Meeting details

2024 dates

  • Thursday 29 August
  • Thursday 24 October
  • Thursday 12 December

Note: Meetings may be cancelled if there are no items to be addressed or additional extraordinary meetings called by Council.

Time

Commence 9:30am or 1:30pm and finish at 5:30pm

Location

Council Chambers, Campbelltown City Council
91 Queen Street, Campbelltown NSW 2560

Applications

The following applications are referred to the CDEP Direction:

  • New residential apartment development above three storey
  • Medium density developments including shop top housing of twenty (20) units or more
  • New commercial buildings over three storeys or with a floor area of 2000 sqm or more
  • Boarding houses
  • Any other development/proposal that in the opinion of the General Manager/Director City Development should be referred to the CDEP
  • Any modification of a consent for a development that meets the qualifying referral criteria and proposes a significant change to the approved built form and public interface of the development

Development Control Plans

  • Site Specific Development Control Plans that apply to Residential Apartment Buildings
  • Any substantial amendment to a Development Control Plan that applies to Residential Apartment Buildings

Policies to be considered by the CDEP

The members of the CDEP will make recommendations and provide advice to Council on the matters referred to them having regard to the material forwarded to them in each case by the applicant and in every case having regard to Campbelltown City Council adopted policies including:

  1. Campbelltown Local Environmental Plan 2015
  2. Campbelltown (Sustainable City) Development Control Plan
  3. State Environmental Planning Policy No. 65 – Design Quality of Residential Flat Buildings
  4. Residential Flat Design Code
  5. Reimagining Campbelltown CBD

The matters that are to be considered by the CDEP are:

  • Whether a high standard of architectural design, materials and detailing appropriate to the building type and location will be achieved
  • Whether the form and external appearance of the development will improve the quality and amenity of the public domain
  • Whether the development detrimentally impacts on view corridors
  • How the development addresses the following matters:
  • The suitability of the land for development
  • Existing and proposed uses
  • Heritage issues and streetscape constraints
  • Bulk, massing and modulation of buildings
  • Street frontage heights
  • Environmental impacts such as sustainable design, overshadowing, wind and reflectivity
  • The achievement of the principles of ecologically sustainable development, pedestrian, cycle, vehicular and service access, circulation and requirements
  • The impact on, and any proposed improvements to, the public domain
  • The interface with the public domain
  • The quality and integration of landscape design

Additionally the panel shall provide advice on measures that will improve the design and the interaction of the public having regard to:

  • Seasons
  • Day time, evening and night
  • Lighting
  • Extreme weather
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