Mar 2016

 

This month

• High-risk building products
• Ministerial Changes
• Universal Access
• Value of good design recognised by Infrastructure Australia
• Designer Terminology
• AILA living cities alliance
• Procurement
• City of South Perth Amendment No. 46
• Greater Sydney Commission
• Planning Reform

 

 

High-risk building products

The Building Ministers’ Forum recently met at the Gold Coast and agreed to work cooperatively to implement a range of measures to address safety issues associated with high-risk building products. This work is to be undertaken by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), and will support measures to address the risks specifically associated with cladding used in high rise buildings. This followed on from the release of a report by the Victoria Building Authority (VBA), which found widespread use of non-compliant fire-prone cladding in high-rise apartment buildings. The audit found that 51 percent of the 170 buildings had external wall cladding that was non-compliant.

The ABCB is considering measures such as mandatory third party accredited certification of cladding materials, and looking at a new verification method referencing a new Australian standard for determining the fire combustibility of wall claddings and wall assemblies.

Other than Victoria, and the Western Australian government’s audit of Perth buildings, no other state or territory has undertaken an audit. The VBA has issued an industry alert on external walls and BCA compliance, which can be accessed from www.vba.vic.au

 

 

 

Ministerial Changes

The Christmas period saw the resignation of Jamie Briggs, the Minister for Cities and the Built Environment. The portfolio was transferred on a temporary basis to the Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt. The Prime Minister announced a reshuffle of Ministers on Saturday 13 February. There is no longer a Minister for Cities. Instead, Angus Taylor has been given the role as Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister with special responsibility for Cities and Digital Transformation.  We are seeking a meeting with the new Assistant Minister to put forward our views on Creating Australia’s towns & cities of the future

 

 

 

Universal Access

The Hon Susan Ryan AO, Age and Disability Discrimination Commissioner with the Australian Human Rights Commission requested a meeting with representatives of the AIA to talk about universal access issues. The briefing was held at 2a Mugga Way, Canberra and was attended by ACT President, Andrew Wilson, Eric Martin, Convenor of the National Access Work Group, Murray Coleman, a local expert on access, and Leanne Hardwicke, ACT Chapter Manager and National Policy Advisor. The discussion was wide-ranging but focussed on ways in which industry could be better engaged and ways to increase the stock of accessible homes, not only for the disabled but also for the aged. It was agreed that the Institute would assist with providing technical information and access to experts, and to assist in bringing together an industry forum on the issue.

 

 

 

Value of Good Design Recognised by Infrastructure Australia

Infrastructure Australia has released the Australian Infrastructure Plan, which makes a raft of recommendations that will help the country to accommodate a population of 30 million by 2031.

The report contains 78 recommendations, addressing issues including high-density development in established areas, a potential national user-pays system for roads and data-driven approaches to managing transport and other infrastructure systems. It also proposes encouraging more population growth in smaller cities such as Hobart and Adelaide and compulsory Building Information Modelling on large-scale infrastructure projects.

The Australia Infrastructure Plan recommends that cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth should ensure that most new housing supply is medium to high-density and built in established areas. The report suggests that this could be achieved on a local and state/territory level by incentivising good design and aligning high-density projects with other infrastructure upgrades. In support of good design, the report offers the following:

“Governments should also support the development of well-designed and affordable housing. State, territory and local governments should explore options to encourage good outcomes through incentives in the planning approval process. For example, increased floor space could be offered as an incentive for developers who: Partner with an architect with proven credentials for delivering high-quality, high-density developments; Increase the provision of private open space in their development proposal; or Include an affordable housing component on site or as a financial contribution.”

The report can be accessed through this link.

 

 

 

Designer terminology (Tas)

Tasmanian architects have expressed ongoing concern about the use of the terms “architectural,” “architect” and related derivatives, particularly in relation to non-architect designers. The Department of Justice in Tasmania currently uses the terms “Architectural Restricted,” “Architectural Limited” and “Architectural Domestic” on its website to describe the accreditation of building designers. The Tasmanian Chapter of the Institute believes this creates confusion in the community, increasing the risk that consumers may mistakenly assume the skills and competencies of building designers are equivalent to architects. The Board of Architects in Tasmania has received legal advice that these terms should be restricted to persons registered under the Architects Act. As a result of this, the Tasmanian Chapter is having discussions with the Department of Justice to push for the appropriate amendments, in order to remove any consumer confusion.

 

 

 

AILA living cities alliance

Ministers of the Australian Government in conjunction with key industry organisations, including AILA and the Institute, announced the new Living Cities Alliance at the Parliament House in February.

A workshop featuring a range of industry representatives developed an Action Plan and Report to be submitted to the Minister to inform in advance, the Government’s Cities Policy Forum Position Paper and Summit being released early this year. The report will outline the economic, health and environmental benefits of various innovative, greener city initiatives that could be implemented in Australia’s urban centres.

 

 

 

Procurement (Tas)

Procurement practices have long been a source of frustration for architects. The Tasmanian Government has reviewed its procurement guidelines in its Procurement Practices Manual – Best Practice for the Engagement of Consultants. The Tasmanian Chapter of the Institute supports clear guidelines around the engagement of consultants to help achieve the best outcomes for everyone and minimise confusion about the process. As such, the Tasmanian Chapter has offered its qualified support for the revised manual and encouraged its implementation across all government departments and agencies.

 

City of South Perth Amendment No. 46 (WA)

The WA Chapter opposed the amendment, believing it to be retrograde and contrary to the spirit of the State Government’s Directions 2031 and Beyond planning strategy that recommends high-quality inner-city development to meet population growth. Of particular concern is the proposed removal of up to 15% (or 20,000m² ) of developable land, something that threatens more than $240 million in direct construction investment and an estimated 8000 jobs. Similarly, the proposed height limit reductions, commercial-residential ratios and setbacks represent a significant impediment to investment.

 

Greater Sydney Commission (NSW)

Late last year the NSW Government announced the first appointments to this new organisation responsible for the orderly development of the Sydney region: Lucy Turnbull (Chair), Sarah Hill (Chief Executive) and three Commissioners. The Chapter was delighted that Institute member Rod Simpson was appointed Environment Commissioner. We are also pleased that former NSW President Deborah Dearing has been appointed District Commissioner for the northern region.

The Chapter is an enthusiastic supporter of the Commission concept; it accords with our recommendations through the planning reform process in recent years. However, there is nothing in the documentation we have seen to date that addresses the critical question of design quality. We have written to the responsible Department and Commissioners recommending a number of improvements, particularly the active involvement of the Government Architect’s Office.

 

 

Planning reform (NSW)

The Institute was a founding member (with PIA, the Property Council and the Sydney Business Chamber) of the Coalition for NSW Planning Reform, a group of professional, property and business groups. Formed in August 2007, we gained government support for several substantial planning system improvements, such as the delegation of major project assessments to the Planning Assessment Commission and the creation of the Housing Code and Joint Regional Planning Panels.

In February, NSW Chapter President Shaun Carter was part of a delegation that met with Planning Minister Rob Stokes to urge the Baird Government to adopt some significant initiatives that would improve the functioning of the planning system under the current legislation, while also providing stepping stones towards a more comprehensive overhaul through new legislation at a later date.

The Minister was receptive to the proposals. The Chapter is confident that with further consistent lobbying, both as an individual organisation and as a member of the coalition, these necessary improvements to the current complex planning system will be achieved.

 

Last year, National Council agreed to focus on three strategic pillars, namely Education, Membership and Advocacy. The focus on advocacy will mean a review of our existing policies to see what we keep and what needs to be updated, wide consultation with members on what they see as the most important issues and what needs to be done. While we can’t represent every individual member’s view, we can offer a collective view on many issues, and we need to make sure that we are clear about what that is.

With a federal election coming up this year, we will be asking members opinions on a range of issues in Annual Members’ Survey, which will be emailed to you on Thursday. This is your opportunity to shape what we say, so please participate. There will also be ongoing opportunities throughout the year to contribute to our advocacy statements through your chapter on local and national issues.

The Institute is already focusing on some issues that were bubbling up from last year. These include:

 

Building quality

In the ACT, the government is undertaking a review of the quality of buildings. We have a working group, led by the Chapter President and the ACT Practice Committee, putting together a response to government. We have asked all members’ views on the issues raised in the government discussion paper, and we are holding an industry forum to assist in formulating our response.

 

Education

The National Education Committee is reviewing our education policy, and drafting an advocacy statement, outlining what we want from government so we continue to produce high quality architecture graduates.

 

Sustainability rating framework

Incoming National President, and President of Australia Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), Ken Maher released the National Framework for Residential Ratings – Discussion Paper. The paper and policy platform calls for a new nationally consistent rating framework for housing sustainability. With housing being responsible for 13 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, improving the sustainability of our housing stock is crucial to meeting Australia’s targets for emissions reduction.

The policy platform points out that right now, there is no coherent national framework for rating housing sustainability. Instead, a plethora of ratings and measurement tools make things complex for industry professionals and incomprehensible to consumers. The platform calls for governments to work with the building industry to implement a nationally harmonised sustainability ratings framework for houses.

The framework should consist of three key elements: minimum regulatory performance standards in new buildings; benchmarks for market comparison of best practice sustainability performance; and communication messages explaining the value of sustainability features to renovators and homebuyers. For further information, please go to the ASBEC website, at http://www.asbec.asn.au/

 

Regulation of architects

Regulation of architects is a big topic in the Northern Territory at the moment. Government has proposed that it move to an administrative licensing model, which will include repeal of existing legislation. A single industry board will be created (advisory in nature only) which will include an architect representative. Disciplinary and review inquiries will be undertaken by the new Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NTCAT).

We are still working through the details and having meetings to ensure that current consumer protection and standards for the practice of architecture are maintained or enhanced by the changes.

 

High Density Living

A draft policy for this national task group was submitted to National Council at the end of last year. A new draft has been prepared for discussion with the task group in response to comments by National Council.

 

NSW Government Architect’s Office

The NSW Government has proposed the refocusing of the office, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, to enable it to provide strategic whole-of-government design advice. The Institute supports this proposition, and the relocation of the office within the Planning portfolio, but has objected to a proposal to substantially reduce its staffing levels.

 

Circular Quay

Following the NSW Premier’s announcement of a new design for the Circular Quay wharves, an op-ed was prepared advocating a holistic review of design improvements to the precinct and the implementation of a strategy prepared by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.

 

Sirius building

The NSW Chapter has vigorously opposed the NSW Government’s removal of long standing public housing residents from the Millers Point heritage conservation area. We have also 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 Institute has supported the listing of this building on the State Heritage Register.

 

Housing affordability

Housing affordability has also been in the news. Australia’s soaring house prices are putting home ownership beyond the reach of many middle-income earners. This was brought into the spotlight again this week after an international survey found Australia’s five main capital cities are ‘severely unaffordable’, with median house prices now up to 12 times median incomes. This is an issue that we will be asking about in our Federal Election survey section in the Member Survey being released on 4 February.

 

Contact us

 

If you have any comments on any issue, please feel free to contact me via email Policy@architecture.com.au

 

 

Leanne Hardwicke

National Policy Advisor

ACT Chapter Manager