Design Collaborative

Design Collaborative is a boutique, independent planning company providing expert advice across a wide range of industries. From small bars to large land use projects, Design Collaborative offers our clients bespoke consultation and practical solutions to suit all needs.

Urban Planning

Design Collaborative’s team has extensive development application experience including commercial, retail, industrial and residential land uses, while also preparing larger format applications for State Significant Development projects.

Liquor Licencing

Our firm specialises in hospitality with a particular expertise in liquor licensing applications under the Liquor Act, 2007 and gaming applications under the Gaming Machines Act, 2001.

Design Collaborative

Urban Planning, Liquor Licensing, Gaming Consultants

Project Advisory and Management

Delivering bespoke planning solutions since 1985


Design Collaborative has extensive experience across all land use and development application types under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 including retail, industrial and residential. The firm is also a specialist within the sphere of hospitality, regularly preparing liquor licence applications for all licence types under the Liquor Act, 2007 and gaming related applications and Local Impact Assessments under the Gaming Machines Act, 2001. 


The Directors of Design Collaborative, James Lidis and David Rippingill, are highly sought-after town planning Expert Witnesses for the Land and Environment Court.

On a company level, Design Collaborative is often retained in a project-management capacity. The team is adept at overseeing groups of experts including architects, acoustic and geotechnical engineers and traffic, bushfire and heritage consultants, to ensure consistency and meet client needs across complex projects.

“We must all obey the great law of change. It is the most powerful law of nature.”

– EDMUND BURKE

Let’s Chat.

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