Advocacy and Policy update

Advocacy and Policy update

Nov 2016

The review of Institute policies is continuing, as we work through the list that needs updating. We will continue to consult with members to identify the most important issues and the best strategy to communicate our messages to governments and the public. New policies can be developed at the instigation of the chapters, national committees and National Council and will go through a similar review process.

Since our last update, we have also advocated at a state and territory level on a number of issues:

 

NEW SOUTH WALES

Medium density design guide

The NSW Planning Minister, Rob Stokes, has launched a draft design guide to encourage the construction of well-designed medium density housing across the state. A new housing code will allow townhouses, terraces, dual occupancies and manor homes to be assessed as complying development as long as they meet the design standards specified in the guide.
With only 5,390 approvals for this housing type in the last financial year, medium density housing accounts for only 10 per cent of housing approvals in Sydney. But the government’s research reveals the potential for over 270,000 medium density dwellings in the city, based on current council zoning and planning controls.
Welcoming the draft guide, the Institute’s NSW President, Shaun Carter, said low-rise multiple housing is a way of achieving higher residential densities with less impact on the character of existing suburban areas than apartment buildings. ‘It’s good that the government sees the need for greater housing diversity, but the key to achieving public acceptance of more medium density development will be a better base level of design quality,’ he said.

 

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Built environment priorities

The Northern Territory Chapter convened a Northern Territory built environment round table, attended by representatives from a range of bodies. The round table discussed the opportunities for common ground between respective bodies, with a view to advocacy, education, and communication. Representatives from the Territory Chapter also met with the new head of the Department of Infrastructure to discuss priorities under the new Government, and attended the Northern Territory Economic Summit, with a range of key stakeholders.

 

TASMANIA

Architect licensing

Under changes introduced by Tasmania’s Department of Justice, accredited building practitioners will be “licensed” under a different law, the Occupational Licensing Act 2005, instead of “accredited” under the Building Act 2000. The changes will take effect from 1 January, 2017. The Tasmanian Chapter has been involved in the process and is generally supportive of the change but has expressed concern about the wording, specifically the use of the term “building services providers” rather than “building practitioners” to describe architects, building designers, engineers etc. Members of the Tas Chapter believe the term “building services providers” may have the unintended consequence of creating confusion because, traditionally, the term “services” has been associated with plumbers and electricians etc.