The NSW Government is committed to unlocking more homes across the state by streamlining planning approvals.
We’ve introduced an alternative Design Excellence Competition Exemption Pathway for residential state significant development that will be available for a period of 2 years.
The pathway provides an alternative way to demonstrate design excellence, without the need to run a design competition.
Applicants using this pathway must prepare an Alternative Design Excellence Strategy, which requires endorsement from the Government Architect NSW. This pathway will include a design review process.
Applicants may still run a design competition to access bonus building height or floor space under the relevant planning rules.
This new pathway is part of our work to get people into homes faster in the communities they choose.
Resources
- Advisory Note: State Significant Development Housing Competition Exemption Pathway (PDF, 3.3 MB)
- Alternative Design Excellence Strategy Guidelines: State Significant Development (PDF, 145 KB)
- Terms of Reference: Design Review Panel for State Significant Development Competition Exemption (PDF, 135 KB)
- Operations Advisory Note: Design Review Panel for State Significant Development Competition Exemption (PDF, 96 KB)
Frequently asked questions
Design excellence refers to the highest standard of architectural, urban, and landscape design. Local Environmental Plans or state policies may require projects to demonstrate this standard.
Design excellence is both a process and an outcome. Often, a competitive design process is required to demonstrate design excellence. This process involves a design competition, held in accordance with the Design Competition Guidelines (PDF, 1.5 MB).
Residential State Significant Developments that normally require a design competition may be eligible. This pathway is being introduced for 2 years to help accelerate housing delivery while maintaining high design standards.
To meet eligibility criteria, the project will satisfy the 8 Alternative Design Excellence Pathway criteria covering design excellence, team capability, architectural diversity, team appointment across all stages, registration, design review, council consultation, and sustainability.
Applicants must submit a formal request to Government Architect NSW at [email protected]
The written request must address the criteria outlined in the State Significant Development Housing Design Competition Exemption Pathway: Alternative Design Excellence Strategy Guidelines (PDF, 145 KB). This includes demonstrating how the project will satisfy the 8 alternative design excellence pathway criteria listed above.
One firm can design up to 2 buildings only. If there are more than 2 buildings, applicants must nominate additional registered architects from other architectural firms. Your request should clearly show how the Alternative Design Excellence Pathway criteria is met.
No. If your project has 2 or more buildings that share a common basement, each will be considered as a separate building.
No. Each nominated architect (from different architectural firms) can design a maximum of 2 towers above a shared podium.
Government Architect NSW will respond to your written request for a design competition exemption within 21 calendar days.
All requests that meet the criteria will be accepted. If your request is rejected, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. You can reapply by addressing the issues identified in the letter.
To submit an application for review by the State Design Review Panel, log into or register for a NSW Planning Portal account and follow the guidelines.
We recommended that you submit your State Design Review Panel application at the same time as your request for a design competition exemption under the Alternative Design Excellence Pathway. The State Design Review Panel will not undertake a review until the exemption is granted.
A fee will be payable once each design review session has been held.
For more information, go to NSW State Design Review Panel.
Refer to both the Design Review Panel for a State Significant Development Design Competition Exemption – Terms of reference (PDF, 135 KB) and the Design Review Panel for a State Significant Development Design Competition Exemption – Terms of Reference (PDF, 156 KB) for a state significant development design competition exemption when preparing your Alternative Design Excellence Strategy. Once Government Architect NSW endorses your strategy, your consultant can start arranging the design review.