DESIGN REVIEW PANEL

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:38): My question is to the Minister for Planning. Minister, can you inform the house about the government's Design Review Panel and how design has been embedded in the planning process?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:38): I thank the honourable member for her question. The government's planning reforms continue the revitalisation of the city of Adelaide and the CBD in particular. Last week I met with the independent design experts who now form our Design Review Panel. They are drawn from all over the country and they are indeed an impressive group.

All city projects going through the pre-lodgement process will be scrutinised by the panel, headed by the government architect, Ben Hewett. The panel is composed of a pool of national and state experts in the design profession, including architects, landscape architects, urban designers and planners. By placing design at the forefront of development application processes, we are ensuring that we get the best design solutions for new developments in the city.

The advice of the panel is already making a difference to applications. We have created a streamlined, collaborative and consultative process that identifies, investigates and resolves land-use planning and design issues up-front. Sixteen proposals are currently in the design review process, seven of which have already been reviewed. Industry is embracing the new regime. We are delivering a process that saves time and money while delivering at the same time a much better product for consideration. In The Advertiser today, Kevin O'Leary, regarded as an Adelaide-based planning expert and often a critic of many things, noted the importance of improving urban design. This is yet another step in the government's commitment to making Adelaide a more vibrant city to live, work and play in.