3 August 2017 – Media Release
Cumberland Council will guarantee the delivery of high quality design outcomes for tall buildings in Wentworthville and Merrylands, with a new design excellence program adopted at Council’s August 2 Meeting.
The program introduces new guidelines for developers and introduces a design excellence provision into Local Environmental Plans. In a first for Cumberland an independent panel of designs experts will also be established to review applications and award incentives.
Cumberland Council’s Interim General Manager Malcolm Ryan said the program would dramatically raise the bar for design outcomes of tall buildings above eight storeys.
“The new design excellence guideline encourages developers building up to also aspire to a high standard of architectural design,” Mr Ryan said.
“We want developers to use high quality materials and detailing; to design buildings that respond to the character of the area; to think green and include solar access and other sustainable design elements; and to improve and expand public spaces.
“To encourage this, developers that meet certain indicators of design excellence will be able to build slightly higher buildings -a bonus height increase of up to 10 per cent- and increase their floor space by five to 10 per cent.
“To be eligible for these incentives developers will need to submit an application to the Cumberland Design Excellence Panel (CDE Panel) well before submitting a development application.
“The CDE Panel will be made up professionals of the highest calibre from the fields of architecture, landscape architecture and urban design. A permanent chair will be appointed by either the Office of the Government Architect or the Australian Institute of Architects.
“With the exception of a panel coordinator, no Council staff member or Councillor may serve on the panel, putting the whole process at arm’s length and adding an extra layer of probity.
“The benefits will be unequivocal. Developers will have to bring their A -Game to be awarded a competitive Design Excellence Certificate, which will result in better outcomes for residents.
“Also by increasing the onus on developers before they reach the DA process, DA processing time won’t be affected.
“The Design Excellence Program will be introduced for the Wentworthville Mall Site over the coming weeks. We anticipate that following Wentworthville and Merrylands Centres, we will roll the program out to other high rises in Auburn, Lidcombe and potentially Granville.
“This model has proven effective for the City of Sydney, the City of Parramatta and Liverpool City Council. If you look at the UWS building in Parramatta, the Circular Quay Landmark building, or even the Galeria development incorporating heritage items in Harris Park, you can see the value in this approach.”
