Melbourne’s appeal as a global destination to visit, live and work is due in great part to its excellent buildings, infrastructure, landscapes and public spaces. City of Melbourne’s Design Excellence Program is a demonstrated commitment to maintaining Melbourne’s status as a world leading design city.

To support this commitment, the Melbourne Design Review Panel (MDRP) was launched and piloted in 2021-22, and is now an ongoing program. The panel provides independent expert advice to council on significant projects within the municipality. In 2023, additional panel members were sought, with expertise in architecture, landscape architecture and urban design review.

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Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - complete

    Targeted stakeholder consultation

    Until October 2020

  • Timeline item 2 - complete

    Future Melbourne Committee Meeting

    To seek approval of the Terms of Reference for the City of Melbourne Design Review Panel and Design Excellence Advisory Committee.

    6 July 2021

  • Timeline item 3 - complete

    Request for applications

    28 July 2021

  • Timeline item 4 - complete

    Applications close

    11.59pm on Wednesday 25 August 2021

  • Timeline item 5 - complete

    Applicant shortlisting and interviews

  • Timeline item 6 - complete

    Commence meetings

    October/November 2021

  • Timeline item 7 - complete

    Applications period

    1 to 14 May 2023

  • Timeline item 8 - complete

    Applicant shortlisting and interviews

  • Timeline item 9 - complete

    Commence meetings

    Induction session – Early August 2023

    Meetings are ongoing

Melbourne Design Review Panel

Program overview

Learn more about the Design Excellence Program.

Banner image: Garden Building by NMBW Architects for RMIT University. Built by Lendlease. Photo by Peter Bennetts.

Design Excellence Advisory Committee image: QVM Munro by Bates Smart. Image Credit: Bates Smart

Melbourne Design Review Panel image: Whitlam Place by Freadman White and Anon Studio for Marcelo Donati. Built by Visioneer. Awarded the AIA VIC Multiple Residential Award in 2019. Photo: Tom Ross

Contact us

Have questions or want to learn more about the project?