Entries have closed for the ACT Chapter Awards program, and we have received a record breaking 58 entries.  We held the jury briefing over a two day period and site visits are being held this week.  With so many entries, it has been a very tight visit schedule, extending over 4 days for the first time.  Visits are timed to the minute to enable the jury to give proper consideration of the entries.

The Awards program provides us with opportunities to promote the value of good design and the work of local architects. The Canberra Times will be featuring projects in the lead up to the awards announcement. The Awards presentation evening is the highlight of the year for the ACT and is being held on 23 June.

The ACT awards are part of the national awards program, which is regularly reviewed by National Council. A review working group is being set up and will be looking at a range of issues. One of particular importance is the review of Chapter boundaries for the purposes of the Awards.  There has been discussion over previous years in relation to state/territory boundaries. Specifically there is contention over the delineation between NSW and ACT. All other States have agreed to utilise state boundaries and in the case of Queensland, post codes to identify regional entry origins. In the interest of clarity and to avoid potential confusion, the working group will be making a recommendation to clearly delineate where the boundary should be.