The Bradfield Development Authority (BDA) has opened an Expression of Interest (EOI) for an emerging Western Sydney design professional to join the Bradfield City Design Review Panel (DRP), completing the expert advisory body that will help guide the built form of one of Australia's most significant city-building projects.

The opportunity is open to emerging architects, urban designers, landscape architects, and planners with experience living or working in Western Sydney, ideally with 10 to 15 years' experience. The successful applicant will bring local knowledge, lived experience, and contemporary perspectives to a panel already composed of nationally recognised design leaders, while gaining valuable experience shaping what the BDA describes as Australia's first new city in 100 years.

The EOI closes on 22 October 2026, with the appointment for a two-year tenure commencing in 2026, expected to be confirmed by late November.

The panel

The existing Bradfield City Design Review Panel draws together four practitioners with extensive experience across architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, and major city-building projects.

Philip Graus is an architect, urban designer, and planner with more than 35 years' experience in architecture, urban design, and metropolitan planning. A former Director of Cox Architecture and the Greater Sydney Commission, Graus has played a significant role in the planning of the Western Parkland City and Aerotropolis precincts and brings extensive experience in design review, strategic planning, and city-shaping projects.

Bianca Pineda is a registered landscape architect and urban designer with more than 15 years' experience delivering major public domain, urban renewal, and city-shaping projects. As a director of LUDO and member of the NSW State Design Review Panel (SDRP), she has led award-winning projects, including Quay Quarter Sydney, and contributed to strategic initiatives such as the Western Sydney Street Design Guidelines and Aerotropolis planning.

Matthew Bennett is an architect and urban designer with more than 25 years of local and international experience across major masterplanning, infrastructure, housing, education, and public architecture projects. A founding director of Bennett and Trimble, Bennett is a registered NSW architect and member of the NSW State Design Review Panel, with extensive experience advising on major government projects, precincts, and city-shaping developments.

Lucy Creagh is an urban designer and architect with more than 30 years' experience across major public domain, transport, and city-shaping projects. A registered urban designer and member of the NSW State Design Review Panel, Creagh also serves as Panel Advisor to the Sydney Metro–Western Sydney Airport Design Review Panel, bringing extensive expertise in design review, strategic urban design, and delivering complex public infrastructure projects.

Together, the panel covers architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, sustainability, and major city-building projects, with a brief to ensure Bradfield City achieves high standards of design excellence, built form, and public realm outcomes as it grows.

The role

The Design Review Panel provides independent, expert, and impartial advice on projects delivered by BDA and its development partners, identifying opportunities and resolving design challenges early to support best-practice design outcomes across the city. The incoming member will help ensure future projects continue to deliver the design standards demonstrated by Bradfield City's award-winning First Building.

BDA CEO Ken Morrison says local knowledge is central to what the panel needs to do well.

"Bradfield City is one of the most significant city-building projects underway in Australia, and great cities are shaped by great design," says Morrison. "We have assembled an outstanding panel of independent design leaders to help guide the city's development, and we are now seeking an emerging Western Sydney practitioner to complete that group."

"Local knowledge and lived experience are essential to creating a city that reflects the communities it will serve. This appointment will ensure Western Sydney perspectives are embedded alongside nationally recognised design expertise as Bradfield City continues to grow."

For the successful applicant, Morrison says, the opportunity extends well beyond the advisory role itself.

"This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a project that will help shape the future of Western Sydney for generations to come."

Expressions of interest must be submitted via the BDA website; applicants must lodge a completed response form and curriculum vitae to procurement@bda.nsw.gov.au by 3:00pm AEDT on 22 October 2026.

Image: Bradfield City Precinct, Hotel and Commercial / Bradfield Development Authority.

Architecture & Design Team

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