Design review is an independent advisory process in which a panel of built environment experts review the design quality of development proposals. It is recognised across Australia and internationally as an effective and cost-effective way to raise the design quality of the built environment. Design review offers the opportunity for peer review of development proposals by independent design professionals with the aim of achieving the best possible outcome for significant development proposals, including buildings, public infrastructure and the public domain. To provide a single city-wide design review panel process, the ACT Government and National Capital Authority formed a joint initiative called The National Capital Design Review Panel (NCDRP).
When is design review required?
Development thresholds
The following development thresholds apply to proposals that must be considered by the NCDRP:
- National Capital Plan Part 4.28 - City and Gateway Corridor
- Development Control Plan 17/01 Manuka Circle Precinct, Canberra Avenue
The NCA may refer proposals determined to be of significance within Designated Areas that warrant design review.
From 1 October 2019, development identified as a prescribed development under the Planning and Development Regulation 2008 must consult with the design review panel. A prescribed development proposal is:
- a building with 5 or more storeys
- a proposal to increase the floorspace of a shop by more than 2,000m2, that is fully or partly located in a residential, commercial, community facility and/or a parks and recreation zone.
Self-referral
Proponents are encouraged to present development proposals to the NCDRP that are outside of the development thresholds.
Further Design Review
Opportunities for further feedback or additional design review sessions are important, particularly if the initial Panel’s Advice raises significant issues. The NCDRP Secretariat can offer clarification in relation to the Panel’s Advice, if required.
Additional design review sessions are advised in cases where significant changes have been recommended by the NCDRP or where proposals have been presented at the conceptual stage. For project familiarity and the delivery of consistent advice, a minimum of two (2) original panel members will be present at subsequent reviews. The NCDRP Secretariat will brief the panel to ensure previous recommendations are not contradicted.
How is design review delivered?
Form of Design Review
Design Review can be held as a full Design Review or as Desktop Review. The NCDRP Secretariat will determine the best method of Design Review in consultation with the Chair/s, to ensure that Design Review is delivered efficiently and effectively for individual proposals. Consideration of the best format of design review will include individual project details, quality of the submission and key priorities of the NCDRP.
Project detail considerations include:
Location: the proposal is located in an area that has particular significance for the city, such as historic, economic or environmental use. Potential impact on the community is also considered.
Prominence: the proposal is located on a prominent site, with a high level of visibility.
Complexity: there are complex challenges to overcome that require a sophisticated design response.
Precedence: the proposal establishes a precedent for a type of development within an area.
Design Review
Design review sessions are typically conducted with three panel members and the Chair and are run as a two to three hour session.
A typical design review session is structured around four main components, including; a closed pre-briefing for panel members providing an opportunity for government staff to convey planning and other technical information; a proponent-led presentation outlining the project brief, aims and objectives, and the main design elements; an opportunity for question and answer between panel and the proponent; panel review and discussion of the proposal, where key issues are identified for later inclusion in the written Panel’s Advice; followed by the conclusion of the session.
A full outline of a typical design review session, including timing is available at On the day section.
Desktop Review
Desktop Reviews can be held for some proposals when a full Design Review session is not warranted. This style of design review may also be held to deal with additional project details following the resolution of major design issues through full Design Review sessions.
Desktop Reviews are typically conducted with two panel members and the Chair and typically run for the shorter length of time as a Design Review session. The proponent and design team are not required to attend Desktop Reviews unless invited to do so. In some instances, however the proponent may be invited to present. The proponent will have 15 minutes to present the proposal, after which the panel will discuss issues. During discussion the panel may seek clarification from the proponent and design team.
The presentation material should conform to the Documentation requirements for design review [191.2 KB] and is due no later than ten (10)working days prior to the design review session, submitted via email to designreview@act.gov.au. The Panel’s Advice will be issued within ten (10) working days of the session.
Preparing for design review
Leading up to design review
The NCDRP Secretariat offers information meetings ahead of presenting to the design review panel and before submitting a development application. These meetings are provided to help guide a proponent through the NCDRP and development application processes.
A pre-design review panel meeting is not mandatory and is a free service. Proponents are encouraged to attend these meetings as early as possible in the design development stages and well in advance of presenting to the NCDRP.
Refer to the NCDRP Practitioner’s Guide, Preparing for Design Review [1.7 MB] for how to apply for a pre-design review panel meeting or present to the NCDRP.
If you wish to attend a pre-design review panel meeting, please email the design review secretariat team at designreview@act.gov.au
Pre-development application meetings is an existing service provided by the EPSDD. Pre-application information may take the form of a meeting or formal advice from EPSDD to a proponent.
Pre-application meetings are held to discuss a development proposal prior to lodgement of a development application and is a free service. Hand-written notes are recorded at these meetings.
Proponents may be advised to present their development proposals to the NCDRP at a pre-application meeting prior to lodgement of the development application.
More information about pre application meetings.
Steps towards your first Design Review session
- Verify and confirm the future dates for design review as part of your project planning.
The forward schedule of dates for Design Review and an application form can be found on the National Capital Design Review Panel page
- Complete the online Application Form.
The online Application Form is available on the EPSDD website. This information informs initial discussions with the NCDRP Secretariat for scheduling arrangements. The application form must be submitted at least four weeks ahead of a Design Review session.
- The NCDRP Secretariat will contact you regarding timing and schedule availability.
After completing the application form online, you will be contacted by a member of the NCDRP Secretariat to discuss project timelines and dates for future Design Review sessions. If required, you can request a pre-design review panel meeting.
- Complete the online Project Information Form.
Complete the online Project Information Form to submit with the required documentation outlining the proposal and email it to designreview@act.gov.au two weeks prior to the design review session.
- This information informs the briefing document issued to the panel prior to the design review session.
Documents are to be emailed or provided to the NCDRP secretariat with the Project Information Form at least 10 working days prior to the design review session. See the Presentation Material factsheet for detailed requirements.
- Deliver presentation materials to the NCDRP Secretariat (for in person sessions only).
Unless otherwise agreed with the NCDRP Secretariat, the proponent is to deliver up to 12 x A1 (594 x 841mm) presentation panels by midday on the day before the Design Review session. These panels will be pinned up on display by the NCDRP Secretariat, immediately before the proponent enters the room to present to the NCDRP.
The NCDRP endeavours to minimise costs for proponents who undertake Design Review. In this regard, it is preferred that the A1 panels are printed on recyclable paper, rather than corflute or other solid materials.
Presentation material
For detailed guidance on the drawing requirements when preparing for design review refer to the Proponent Presentation Package Guidance [191.2 KB].
The material required for design review should sufficiently illustrate the site context and site analysis, site design response and the intended design proposal. For early design reviews, drawings may be conceptual and diagrammatic.
Context and site analysis
It is particularly important to provide contextual information on drawings and information submitted for review, to assist the panel in assessing how a proposal responds to its surrounding context and site. Context considers the broader area, including the key natural, historic and built features. Context also includes social, economic
and environmental factors.
Site design response
Site design response information should be provided including, 3D studies and diagrams that identify the site and context opportunities and challenges. These drawings should clearly articulate the considerations that have informed the broader site planning, massing and design approach. This is also an opportunity to illustrate design options that may have been explored and outline why the proposal is the best outcome for the site.
Design proposal
Sufficient drawing material should be presented to outline the intended design proposal, however the emphasis should be on having enough information rather than having a fully resolved design of every aspect of the proposal.
3D Canberra
It is recommended that the proponent supplies a 3D model of the proposal to the NCDRP secretariat, which can be imported into the ACT Government’s 3D Canberra platform. 3D Canberra provides a 3D contextual model of key areas in Canberra and may be used by the proponent and the panel on the day to provide a greater understanding of massing and scale, particularly in relation to the local and wider context.
Drawing material should be presented to sufficiently outline the intended design proposal for design review. The emphasis should be however on having enough information rather than having fully resolved drawings of every aspect of the proposal.
For more information and guidance on the drawing requirements when preparing for design review refer to the Proponent Presentation Package Guidance [191.2 KB].
On the day
Date and Location
Design review sessions are typically scheduled in the middle of each month, with the exception of January due to industry shutdown. A schedule of future design review sessions can be found on the National Capital Design Review Panel page. In person design review sessions are generally held at ACT Government Offices, with online sessions facilitated via Microsoft Teams.
Design Review Session Structure
A typical design review session is structured as follows:
Site visits are generally organised for the panel members for each new project entering the design review process. These may occur on a day prior to the design review session.
The panel will meet for a closed briefing before the design review session begins. In this session, a Development Assessment Officer from EPSDD and members from any relevant referral agencies will brief the panel on any significant considerations relating to the site, its planning history, and any ongoing issues.
The Chair welcomes the proponent and project team, Government representatives and observers into the room.
If observers are present, the Chair will reiterate that they are not to contribute to the session, unless invited to do so. If Government representatives are present, they may be invited to provide brief comments on the policy context.
The proponent and project team will be invited to present their proposal, including the project brief, aims and objectives, and the main design elements. It is important to note that the panel have already reviewed the documentation ahead of the session and received a briefing of the issues. The presentation should focus on why the proposal is to be considered the best outcome for the site and not give a detailed history of the site.
During the first review, the panel will seek to identify the major issues, to ensure progressive certainty for the proponent and project team is achieved. Subsequent design changes may be reviewed with reference to the comments made at the previous design review session and associated ‘Panel’s Advice’.
The Chair will ensure that any fundamental opinions or reservations raised in relation to the proposal are made clear before the proponent and design team leave the room. It is important that the panel’s views are expressed openly. If there are any major differences in opinions of panel members, these will be discussed and resolved by the Chair. The Chair will ensure that the presenting team leaves with an accurate understanding of the issues discussed.
The Chair will summarise the panel’s discussion and views. This will inform the NCDRP’s written advice.
Following the Chair’s summary, the proponent and project team will be invited to respond to any issues raised. The session will then conclude and the presenting team will leave the room.
Site visits are generally organised for the panel members for each new project entering the design review process. These may occur on a day prior to the design review session.
The Panel will privately summarise and consolidate their comments, which the NCDRP Secretariat will record, confirming and clarifying points if needed, for inclusion in the ‘Panel’s Advice’. New observations are not introduced during this closed discussion unless a significant issue emerges.
Example design review session agenda
| Time | Item | Who |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30am | Briefing to panel (30 minutes) | Panel members and Government representatives |
| 10:00am | Welcome project design team (5 minutes) | Chair |
| 10:05am | Proposal presentation (20 minutes) | Design team |
| 10:25am | Q and A (10 minutes) | Panel members and design team |
| 10:35am | Panel review and discussion (30 minutes) | Panel members, Design team (by invitation) |
| 11:05am | Close session (5 minutes) | All |
| 11:10am | Panel debrief | Panel members and Government representatives |
Forward schedule 2024
The NCDRP operates at four to six design review sessions per month, available on the indicative days listed below.
| Month | Session dates |
|---|---|
| January | 24 |
| February | 14, 15, 21, 22 |
| March | 13, 14, 21, 22 |
| April | 10, 11, 17, 18 |
| May | 8, 9, 15, 16 |
| June | 12, 19, 26 |
| July | 10, 17, 24 |
| August | 14, 21, 28 |
| September | 11, 18, 25 |
| October | 9, 16, 23 |
| November | 13, 20, 27 |
| December | 11 |
The Panel’s Advice
Following each design review session, the proponent will be issued with a written recommendation within ten (10) working days, known as the ‘Panel’s Advice’.
The Panel’s Advice will be informed by the views of the Panel and will evaluate the design quality of the development proposal. Where appropriate, other key stakeholders may be copied into the Panel’s Advice.
The Panel’s Advice is not a minute of the design review session discussion, rather
it expresses the view of the Chair and Panel as informed by the NCDRP’s deliberation.
The NCDRP Secretariat is available to offer clarification in relation to the Panel’s Advice if required. It is requested that proponents refrain from contacting the Chair or individual panel members as they will be unable to discuss NCDRP matters outside of the design review session.
If an advice is found to contain an error, it may be withdrawn, corrected and re-issued. The document will retain its original date, however will be clearly
marked and accompanied by a re-issue explanation.
If the proponent does not submit a development application for the development proposal within 18 months after the design advice is provided, the design advice expires. In this instance a new design review session will be required.
