Advocacy and Policy Update

Advocacy and Policy Update

Sep 2016

This month

 

With the Federal Election now behind us and the Coalition returned to government, we are turning our attention to ensuring our voices are heard as the Government moves to address the key challenges facing our cities and towns. We will be pushing for a strong policy response to create sustainable and resilient cities and towns and will be looking for a commitment to quality in the built environment, and advocating strongly for the profession to be recognised for innovative design leadership.

We are also working internally to review and update the Institute policies and advocacy statements. We have finalised the Tertiary Education Policy and Advocacy Statement, and are currently reviewing the Affordable Housing Policy, Indigenous Housing Policy, the Urban Design Policy, the Government Architect Policy and the Policy on the Registration and Regulation of Architects. This is a work in progress and will be ongoing over the coming months.

Our advocacy efforts are also continuing around the states and territories. Since our last update, we have advocated on a number of issues:

 

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Architects Act

In August 2015, the Northern Territory Government advised the NT Architects Board of proposed legislative changes which involved the repeal of the Architects Act, and consolidation of the various Boards into a single Department of Licensing. The proposed legislation was motivated by the Government policy objective to cut red tape, and involved numerous changes to the administration and regulation of architects.

The Institute provided a response to the proposed changes, and met with numerous Government representatives. The future of the proposed legislation was placed on hold pending the outcome of the Northern Territory elections and, after the change of government, we will keep you posted on any developments.

Remote Housing Design

In April the NT Chapter was approached by the Department of Housing for comment on a number of remote housing designs. We provided a response emphasising the importance of good process, along with key considerations including climatic response, housing for health, disability access, energy performance, community development and tenancy support.

Northern Territory Planning Scheme

The Northern Territory Planning Commission released a Discussion Paper in March regarding Dual Occupancy in Zone SD. The Chapter prepared a submission that was broadly supportive of the proposal, commenting that it seemed in line with the Northern Territory’s Compact Urban Growth policy, but that questions such as lot size and design controls needed to be addressed.

The Northern Territory Chapter also contributed to effecting change in a proposed amendment to the NT Planning Scheme by incorporating the Darwin Inner Suburbs Area Plan and rezoning land along Bishop Street, Woolner. The NT Chapter recommended a Master Plan to guide the development and, along with several other recommendations, the Minister for Lands and Planning, David Tollner, altered the proposal and approved the amendment.

 

TASMANIA

Construction Industry Legislative Reforms

A new building regulatory framework has been adopted in Tasmania following a comprehensive consultation process. The Tas Chapter was involved in the process from the start of the review, which culminated in the passage last month of a new Building Bill, an amended Occupational Licensing Bill and the Residential Building Work Contracts and Dispute Resolution Bill. Tasmanian members believe the State Government initiatives to standardise and streamline regulation of the industry will facilitate change that reduces red tape for simple structures. Along with other industry players, the Tas Chapter was invited to join a media event around the reforms and we regard this as a step forward in the visibility of the organisation in Tasmania.

Procurement

In December 2015, the Tasmanian Chapter provided feedback to the Treasury Department in relation to its review of the Procurement Practices Manual – Best Practice for the Engagement of Consultants, in relation to the engagement of prequalified building and construction consultants. We offered broad support for the document, with some minor amendments and clarification suggested. Treasury responded last month with its final document. While not all of the Tas Chapter’s recommendations were taken on board, we are pleased that a number were and will continue working to ensure best practice in all procurement processes.

Categories of Building and Demolition Work

The Department of Justice in Tasmania recently released a revised version of the Director of Building Control’s draft determination of the categories of building and demolition work. The Tasmanian Chapter has offered broad support for the document, with some minor clarification suggested.

 

NEW SOUTH WALES

Sirius Building

The NSW Chapter has resisted the proposed demolition of Sirius, a brutalist multi-residential building designed by Tao Gofers to rehouse public tenants who had been displaced after the controversial redevelopment of the historic Rocks area during the 1960s and 70s. The Chapter met with the Minister for Heritage in late May to support the listing of this building on the State Heritage Register as recommended by the Heritage Council of NSW. The Minister has since decided not to list the building, citing financial loss as the primary reason. A crowd-sourcing campaign has been established to raise funds for a legal challenge.

Built Environment Meets Parliament NSW

The NSW Chapter was involved in the planning for this inaugural Built Environment Meets Parliament event in the NSW Parliament, which was held last month. The Minister for Planning, his Opposition shadow minister and the Greens spokesperson for urban planning and renewal all made thoughtful contributions to the event. The outstanding keynote speaker was Jeff Speck, an American planning consultant who promotes the walkable city. The event was coordinated by Consult Australia.

Medium Rise Complying Development

While apartment buildings have been the primary focus for increased urban density, the NSW Government has also released a discussion paper that proposes extending the ambit of complying development to medium-rise housing in established residential areas. In its submission early this year, the Chapter stressed the importance of achieving a better base level of design quality as the key to achieving public acceptance of the policy. An Institute member has been contracted by the Department of Planning and Environment to prepare a design guide for this purpose. Terraces and manor house developments are receiving particular attention.

Barangaroo Casino

The proposed construction of a casino development on land previously designated as a public park has aroused considerable controversy. Chapter President Shaun Carter was one of several architects who criticised the proposal at a public hearing before the consent authority, the Planning Assessment Commission. The Commission subsequently approved the proposal. While sympathetic to the public criticism, the Commission said the NSW Parliament had effectively determined the location of the casino when it passed amendments to the Casino Control Act 1992 in 2013.
The Environmental Defender’s Office is acting for a local community group that claims the provisions of the Casino Control Act 1992 only relate to licensing of a casino; they are not intended to override any of the planning law controls for physically building a casino. The case is that the Commission breached the law by not properly exercising its planning law powers. The case will be heard in the NSW Land and Environment Court in November.

 

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

New Western Australian Museum

THE Western Australian Government recently unveiled plans for a new $430 million WA Museum. Due for completion by 2020, the project will be almost four times bigger than the old museum, and will feature nearly 7,000 square metres of galleries, including a single 1,000sqm space to stage blockbuster exhibitions, education studios, viewing areas to see scientists and curators at work, and retail, food and beverage outlets. The contract to build the museum has been awarded to Brookfield Multiplex and will be designed by OMA and Hassell. The WA Chapter has written to the State Government, commending its commitment to the project.

 

VICTORIA

Apartment Design Standards

The latest (and possibly final) draft of Victoria’s Better Apartment Design Standards was released in August and the Victorian Chapter is in the midst of developing a response. We are disappointed that the Government hasn’t seen fit to put in place minimum apartment sizes as a basic safety net, but are encouraged by a number of the other standards they have proposed. As is always the case with policy issues such as this, the devil is in the detail, which in this case is the decision guidelines, as yet unseen. Until we are able to interrogate the guidelines our ability to provide substantive comment on the efficacy of the standards is severely limited. We are meeting with the Department of Planning soon to both elicit further information about the guidelines and also flag our concerns about some of the standards and their possible unintended consequences. Public comment on the standards closes on Monday 19 September. While the Chapter is putting in a formal submission on behalf of the Institute we would encourage individual members to also make submissions in their own right. For details on how to make a submission go to: http://haveyoursay.delwp.vic.gov.au/better-apartments.

Central City Planning Provision Melbourne

The Victorian Chapter presented to Planning Appeals in August on the review of the interim built city controls – the proposed Central City Planning Provisions Melbourne Amendment C270. This presentation focused on two key points. The first was that design excellence is a key pillar of any good planning outcome and should be rewarded. To achieve this end, we proposed a design review (DR) process for any project over 18:1 or to provide significant floor area uplifts (FAU) for projects that gain permits through a DR process. The second part of the presentation focused on expanding the definition and scope of FAU for public benefits. We support public benefits that improve the quality of the public realm and architecture, of the diversity and accessibility of the city, and that allow architects to design innovatively to create a memorable and sustainable built environment. As such, we have proposed that the definition of public benefits should be expanded to include heritage buildings, sustainable design, innovation, and an expanded definition of social use / mixed use. We also proposed that the Government look into implementing precinct-based planning.

 

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

ACT Industry Participation Policy

The ACT Chapter recently commented on the draft ACT Industry Participation Policy (ACT IPP), which states that the ACT government will work with local businesses to promote innovation, flexibility and best practice. The Chapter has welcomed the introduction of the ACT IPP and offered support for the stated intent of the document, but has recommended that government procurement policies recognise the role of good design in maximising economic benefits and creating a rich legacy of productive, functional and attractive buildings and urban spaces. The Chapter has also encouraged a formal recognition in the ACT IPP of the importance of using local professional services.