Design Review Panel members appointed

Eight new members have been appointed to the City’s Design Review Panel after a decision of Council this week.

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 members comprise six ordinary members, inclusive of a Chair, and two specialist members. More information on the new members can be found below.

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 City would also like to thank outgoing members Mr Hans Oerlemans, Ms Melinda Payne and Mr Ross Povey for their time and expertise during their time on the panel.

Meet the new panel members

Philip Griffiths, Chair
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.  

Tony Blackwell, Panellist
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. 

Dominic Snellgrove, Panellist
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. 

Denise Morgan, Panellist
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.  

Simon Venturi, Panellist
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 possess a strong local community focus through his participation in community groups and has working knowledge in public art. 

Chris Maher, Panellist
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.

Prasanna Suraweera, Specialist Panellist
Prasanna is one of the founding members of Wood & Grieve Engineers’ (now part of Stantec) currently in the role of Australian Discipline Leader for Sustainability. Prasanna has 18 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. 

Graham Agar, Specialist Panellist
Graham is a Director at Full Circle Design Services Pty Ltd. and has over 10 years’ project management and team leader experience. Graham has specialty skills in building assessments, being accredited as a NABERS and as a Green Star Assessor. He also has experience with investigation of plant life-cycle, current energy and amenity performance, maintenance requirements and upgrade opportunities. Graham has worked at the master and strategic planning stage for a number of high profile WA projects.