Design Adaptation Panel (DAP)

The Panel

The Future Homes Design Adaptation Panel (DAP) is a group comprising up to five Future Homes Panel Members, including council representatives appointed to review and make decisions on adapted Future Homes exemplar designs referred through the adaptation review process.

The DAP will consist of:

• A Chair
• Up to three Future Homes Panel Members (Members)
• Up to two council representatives of which one must be a senior level statutory planner or above

The Chair and Future Home Panel Members for each DAP will be selected by the Office of the Victorian Government Architect. The relevant council will nominate their representative for form part of the DAP.

The number of DAP members for each Session will depend on the complexity of applications referred through the Future Home Adaption Framework.

The role of the DAP

The DAP operates on the understanding that the exemplar designs are appropriate. It does not interrogate the original design from first principles. Instead, it reviews how successfully the proposed adaptation has been done, and how well it meets the Future Homes objectives.

The DAP Session

DAP Sessions are usually half day sessions. On some occasions, depending on the complexity of the adaptation, the session may be scheduled for a full day.

A typical DAP session must be attended by:

• A Chair, who is nominated by the Office of the Victorian Government Architect
• Up to three Future Homes Panel Members
• Up to two local council representatives of which one must be a senior level statutory planner or above
• Up to three DELWP Future Homes project officers who act as the secretariat

Other attendees at the DAP Session may include:

• The applicant and up to five technical consultants including the applicant’s designer
• Office of the Victorian Government Architect project officers
• Council officers including those who have provided internal referral comments
• DELWP appointed sustainability consultant
• Representation from relevant service and referral authorities such as Transport for Victoria or the Water Corporation

These attendees may provide advice and points of clarification to inform the DAP’s recommendation but have no decision-making role.

After the DAP Session

Within 13 business days following the DAP Session, the Chair must inform DELWP of its recommendation including its reasons. The DAP may make one of the following four recommendations:

• Recommendation A: Certification – notify DELWP that the adaptation is suitable and directed DELWP certify.
• Recommendation B: Minor changes prior to certification – notify DELWP that minor changes have been identified and the applicant must submit amended plans within 15 business days to DELWP.
• Recommendation C: Complex changes prior to certification – notify DELWP that more significant changes are required to the plans before Certification. The applicant must submit amended plans within 15 business days to the Chair via DELWP. The Chair, at its discretion, may circulate plans to the DAP for sign-off within five business days. Once sign-off has occurred, the process reverts to Recommendation A. Should matters not be signed-off, a resolution Session will be convened by DELWP after which the application will proceed as per Recommendation B or Recommendation D.
• Recommendation D: No certification – notify DELWP that the adaptation is not suitable for certification.

For the DAP terms of reference, see here Attachment 1 or  <link to come>.