Eight members have been appointed to the City’s Design Review Panel after a decision at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 20 February.
The panel, which provides independent expert advice to applicants and Council on significant development applications, has been instrumental in improving the design quality of projects in the City since its inception in 2012.
The new panel comprises seven ordinary members, inclusive of a Chair, and one specialist member.
The City would like to thank all nominees who put their name forward for the panel – the level of expertise and skill was fantastic.
The members are appointed to the City’s Design Review Panel from 1 March 2024 until 30 April 2026.
Meet the new and returning panel members
Dominic Snellgrove, Chair (reappointment)
Dominic is the Managing Director of Cameron Chisholm Nicol with over 30 years’ experience across Europe and Australia. Dominic has a broad range of expertise including architecture, urban design, heritage and sustainability and environmental design. He has worked on a diverse range of projects, including residential, retail, commercial, major redevelopments and environmental projects, and has won a number of awards.
Tony Blackwell, Panellist (reappointment)
Tony is the Managing Director of Blackwell & Associates and has over 40 years’ experience with expertise in landscape architecture and urban design. Tony’s interests have evolved from ‘pure design’ to a deeper concern about how designers can help to improve health and wellbeing by making the environment more accessible and better tailored to people’s needs.
Philip Griffiths, Panellist Chair (reappointment)
Philip is the Director of Griffiths Architects, a Subiaco based firm. He has over 35 years’ experience in Perth and Subiaco, with expertise in heritage, conservation and sensitive adaptations and has provided guidance and advice to federal and state governments, local councils and governing bodies.
Simon Venturi, Panellist (reappointment)
Simon is a Director and Architect at NOMA. Simon has over 20 years’ experience with a diverse range of experience in master planning, commercial, retail, adaptive re-use, public space, activation, residential and interior fit-out projects. He possesses a strong local community focus through his participation in community groups and has working knowledge in public art.
Chris Maher, Panellist (reappointment)
Chris is the Director and National Urban Development Portfolio Leader at Hames Sharley and has over 30 years’ experience practicing architecture and urban design in the UK, Hong Kong and throughout Australia. His experience combines the rigour of well-researched contextual design with a creative and future-proof focus on the detailed delivery of environmentally considered projects. Chris has extensive local knowledge.
Brett Wood-Gush, Panellist (new appointment)
A former resident of the City of Subiaco, Brett brings more than 20 years of experience in local planning matters to the panel. Brett has qualifications in Architecture, Urban Design, Urban Planning and Project Management. He was previously the Director of Urban Design at the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority, and as past State Manager of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA). Brett has over 10 years of experience of judging design awards. Brett is currently a Director of Insight Urbanism Pty Ltd.
Denise Morgan, Panellist (reappointment)
Denise is the Principal Planner at CDP Town Planning & Urban Design and has over 30 years’ experience working in local government, state government and private practice. Denise has expertise in urban planning, urban design and urban renewal.
Prasanna Suraweera, Specialist Panellist (reappointment)
Prasanna recently founded his own consulting practice after an extensive career with Wood & Grieve Engineers/Stantec. Prasanna has 19 years’ experience in environmentally sustainable design. Prasanna has been directly involved in some of Western Australia’s most iconic projects and is a Green Star Accredited Assessor for the Green Building Council of Australia.