NSW Department of Planning and Environment

Design guidance

Good design of buildings and developments leads to increased social, environmental and economic benefits for our towns and cities.

Local Government Design Review Panel Manual 

The NSW Government has released the Local Government Design Review Panel Manual to support a consistent approach to the way design review is conducted by local government. 

Many councils across NSW have already established their own design review panels to assist assessment teams and achieve better outcomes for communities.

This manual provides clear guidance to councils, panel members, applicants and design teams on what is involved and expected during a local government design review panel process.

View the Local Government Design Review Panel Manual (PDF, 1.0 MB).

Developed with extensive feedback and consultation with local government, industry and communities, the manual supplements existing guidance to provide complementary and non-conflicting advice on best-practice procedures for all development. It is not intended to impact existing Apartment Design Guide processes.

Register for our webinar at 1pm on Friday 9 December 2022 to receive an overview of the manual and ask questions of the Government Architect team. 

Register for webinar

Contact us

Councils can contact the Government Architect’s office to receive assistance in setting up their design review panels by emailing government.architect@planning.nsw.gov.au

Page last updated: 01/03/2023