Mar 2017
With the Institute’s key strategic priorities now clearly articulated, Chapter Executive Director’s (EDs) are at the forefront of our efforts to advocate for better government decisions and policy, which recognise the importance of the profession in our built environment. We want to position the Institute as the voice of architecture and, to this end, EDs are actively increasing their advocacy and policy work. With three state elections due this year, this work includes election campaigns in Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria, as well as ongoing general efforts to effectively communicate our messages to governments and the public.
Since our last update, we have advocated at a state and territory level on several issues:
- National
- Australian Capital Territory
- Northern Territory
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
Building Minister’s Forum Review
The CEO and national Policy Advisor have had discussions with the Co-chair of the Building Ministers Forum review of Assessment of the Effectiveness of Compliance and Enforcement Systems for Building and Construction Industry across Australia. These discussions enabled us to raise the issues such as:
- the importance of the role of architects
- the difficulties in regulating importation and sale of materials and products
- tightening certification and testing regimes
- problems with product substitution without consultation with the specifying architect
- the need for better regulation for design, documentation and specification
- knowledge of codes and standards by all building practitioners
- regulation of all building practitioners, including project managers
NCC 2019
The Proposed changes to the National Construction Code have now been released for public comment and are open until 13 April: http://abcb.gov.au/Consultation/Public-Comment-Draft/NCC-2019-Public-Comment-Draft
The Institute has asked all Chapters to provide comment on any major concerns with any proposed changes. If individual members wish to provide comment to be included in an Institute response, please send them to policy@architecture.com.au by COB Friday 30 March.
Housing diversity and densification
The ACT Chapter has been having discussions with ACT Government on housing diversity in the lead up to and after the release of a discussion paper that provides background to the ACT planning and housing policies, and offers an opportunity to contribute ideas on interesting and innovative strategies to get better housing outcomes. The goal is to introduce more flexibility, better housing choices and encourage the kind of quality residential buildings that the community wants. Alongside this discussion, they are talking to industry and the community on how Demonstration Housing projects could be used to showcase innovative housing design and delivery in Canberra. We are actively engaged in the discussion and strongly supporting of the demonstration housing project. In the lead up to the release of the government discussion paper, members of our Housing Task Group developed a website on housing choices, promoting increased housing diversity to cater for the circumstances and lifestyle choices of all Canberrans and showcasing successful housing projects, both historical and recent, many of which would not have been built under current planning policies. This is part of our response to the discussion paper.
NT Planning scheme RRR
The Northern Territory Chapter has proposed changes to the current Development Application process, to help ensure that the built environment is appropriate to its context. The chapter has proposed a “tiered threshold” system for applications, with type A (simple) to remain as per the existing (potentially revised/renewed) DCA system. Projects over a certain threshold based on cost and/or complexity would be classified as Type B (complex) and would offer a two-step DCA process with a preliminary review by DCA, then a second DCA meeting as per the existing system. In the preliminary hearing there is an opportunity to request an appropriate specialist panel to address areas of complexity. A tiered system such as this would provide a more thorough and nuanced investigation of complex issues, while still allowing flexibility and transparency for large-scale, important projects. This would ensure high-quality built environment outcomes.
Darwin Ferry Planning
The Northern Territory chapter has offered its strong support to efforts by the NT Government to pursue varied forms of public transport, saying while water is a key natural asset of Darwin City and its surrounds, it is not effectively used for transportation as it is in other Australian cities such as Brisbane and Sydney. The chapter has also commended the Territory Government on approaching the issue from a long-term master planning perspective with components of more immediate work. It has also encouraged the government to see these ferry terminals as potential destinations in themselves, saying they have the potential to represent Darwin as a city on the water, and become not only vital transport hubs, but also an important part of community identity.
Barneson Boulevard
The Northern Territory Chapter is a keen supporter of the 2015 Darwin CBD Master Plan and would welcome the implementation of a range of projects identified in that plan, in particular, those that would make the CBD more attractive for tourists and locals, as well as improving liveability in both the CBD and greater Darwin area. However, the chapter has expressed serious concerns about the full development of the road, saying a dual carriageway from McMinn Street to Smith Street has the potential to split the CBD into two halves while taking away the community amenity of the Frog Hollow precinct.
Central Alice Springs Area Plan
The Northern Territory Planning Commission has identified the need to update and implement a Central Alice Springs Area Plan into the Territory’s Planning Scheme to provide for growth of the municipality of Alice Springs. The NT Chapter has provided feedback, saying a clear and well-articulated vision for Alice Springs should be the starting point for a new Area Plan and that an ambitious vision of Alice Springs with a strong regional identity will encourage the community to champion the plan. The chapter says such a vision would include Alice Springs as an international exemplar of a sustainable town in an arid environment; a model remote town expert in water-sensitive urban design. The submission says with predicted rises in summer temperatures, Alice Springs could lead the way in best-practice urban design responses, including continuous shading along commercial street frontages, increased tree canopies to mitigate the effects of heat gain within the town centre, and improved opportunities for shaded and active east/west arcades and other public spaces. The chapter says a visionary Area Plan could also establish targets for reductions in energy and water demand as well as reductions in resources used and waste produced.
Ongoing Advocacy
The Northern Territory Chapter is involved in ongoing efforts to strongly encourages the NT Government to involve local architects in the design and construction process across all developments in the Territory. The chapter says the involvement of architects will help the government ensure quality outcomes and long-term value for money while supporting the growth of local NT businesses.
NSW activity
In late 2017 and early 2018, the NSW Chapter had submissions on the following:
- Greater Sydney Commission Draft Region and District Plans
- Sydney Modern DA
- The outcome of Heritage Council Decision: Robb College, University of New England
- Robb College, University of New England – correspondence to Minister Upton
- Macquarie Lightstation – letter of support for proposed nomination as a National Heritage Place
- Commemoration of Architect Frank l’Anson Bloomfield
- Gaden House added to Institute’s Register of Significant Buildings, based on submission for SHR by Phillip Arnold
- Draft Sirius Site SSP SEPP submission
The Chapter attended a Greener Places briefing and discussion, and a Workshop with Department of Planning and Environment.
Ongoing strong relationship with government
The Queensland election results have ensured the Australian Labour Party has remained in power as state government. This allows the Queensland chapter to continue to build upon the strong relationships we had fostered with the Department of Housing and Public Works and the Department of Infrastructure and Planning. 2017 saw the Chapter hold a strong voice in regards to procurement policy, with the state government committing to a policy that refocused on value rather than price. Moving into 2018, the chapter will be actively engaging the government and its departments on how they will ensure policy is adhered to across the various agencies.
We currently hold positions on key stake holder advisory panels including the Building, Construction and Management Reference Group, Non-Conforming Building Products Task Force, the Procurement Industry Advisory Group and the Ministerial Construction Council for State Government. We sit on the Queensland Building and Construction Commission Stakeholder Advisory Panel and lastly the City Plan Reference Group for Brisbane City Council. These groups all meet regularly and allow us to ensure the voice of the profession is heard.
South Australian election
The South Australian Chapter provided a policy position paper ahead of that state’s election on 17 March, including a survey for local MPs and aspiring MPs. The paper set out three key areas affecting South Australian members – design quality and planning reform, industry participation and procurement and professionalism and public safety. Among other things, the position paper supports design review undertaken by architects, the engagement of local architects at project inception, continuing roles for the managing architect in government projects through contract administration to provide independent expertise, mandated CPD for the architectural profession and mandated independent inspection by registered professionals at key stages during construction, as opposed to self-certification by contractors.
Tasmanian election
The Tasmanian chapter provided a policy platform to the Labor Party, the Liberal Party and the Greens in the lead-up to the state election on 3 March and also met with various representatives from the three parties to discuss the profession’s concerns and recommendations. The policy platform states the case for high-quality urban design, public buildings, infrastructure and spaces to add value by stimulating the economy, as well as improving quality of life, and social, environmental and health outcomes in the community. In order to achieve this, the chapter has recommended the introduction of a statewide architecture and design policy for high-quality urban design, along with architectural input into future development. The policy platform suggests options to achieve this, including a State Architect, which could facilitate interdepartmental cooperation around strategic asset planning, provide policy input and support for development initiatives such as medium density projects and public housing, and provide high-level advice on planning and major developments. Another option is to ensure effective procurement and design review through an appropriate advisory body, design review panels or other methods.
Planning laws
The Tasmanian Chapter continues to provide feedback on the overhaul of the state’s planning laws, providing a submission to the Second Consultation Paper and Revised Draft Exposure Bill of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Amendment (Major Projects) Bill 2017. The chapter raised concerns about the deletion of all references to the yet-to-be legislated Tasmanian Planning Policies (TPPs), which are aimed at giving “strategic direction to Tasmania’s planning system”. The submission argues that the TPPs are essential to the assessment process for major projects and that once the TPPs are finalised, the legislation should be amended to reinsert reference to the TPPs and require major projects to be consistent with the TPPs. In the absence of any reference to TPPs, the chapter has also expressed concern about the lack of public input onto the terms against which major projects will be assessed – the draft assessment guidelines. Notwithstanding the later inclusion of TPPs into the Act, the submission argues that public comments and hearings should be held in response to the exhibition of draft assessment guidelines in order to ensure that they respond to the needs of the community and support economic development at this critical early stage in the assessment process.
Fisherman’s Bend and Federation Square
The Victorian Chapter’s response to the draft Fishermans Bend Framework was one of 242 submissions to the Planning Review Panel and will be followed by a presentation by Chapter Councillors in support of our written submission at a public hearing on March 2. The Victorian Chapter’s written submission can be accessed here. On Thursday 22 Feb, incoming Vic Chapter President Amy Muir issued a media release which can be accessed here.
In December, AILA, PIA and the Institute wrote to the Minister voicing our joint concern about the lack of due process in approving the flagship store at Federation Square. This was followed by radio and newspaper interviews with Vanessa Bird, as well as a piece written for ArchitectureAU. The Institute, PIA, AILA co-hosted a sold-out debate with Open House which was held at Deacon Edge on 13 February.
Participation rate of female architects
The Western Australian Chapter has raised concerns about the workforce participation rate of female architects, in particular the sharp decline from age 30 when they typically take time out to have children. In a submission to the WA Commerce Minister on the review of the state’s Architects Act, the chapter describes the time and cost of maintaining registration (insurance and continuing professional development) while not working as prohibitive and the process of re-entering the profession as onerous, leading to women, and some men, making the choice to reject their previously held ‘architect’ status, and practise without the title. The chapter says this is creating a new tier of designers with the background and skills of an architect, but without the same professional responsibilities. The chapter argues that the requirements are too onerous and are resulting in the unintended consequence of systemically discriminating against mostly female architects when they are away performing primary care-giving roles.