BETTER PLACED

A new draft architecture and design policy for NSW prepared by the Office of the Government Architect was launched by Planning Minister Rob Stokes at the Sydney Opera House ten days ago.

The policy lays the foundation for a design-led planning strategy to support good built environment design outcomes. It also introduces new initiatives, such as the establishment of a NSW State Design Advisory Panel to consider key state significant projects. The consideration of good design will inform the development of these projects from the outset and throughout the design and assessment process.

“Focusing on design will help maximise benefits from the billions of dollars the NSW Government is spending on infrastructure, so we can build an even better future for our city and state,” the Minister said.

“Good design is critical to creating liveable, productive, sustainable and resilient communities, and we want to champion good design through a new policy and give it weight through legislative changes,” Mr Stokes said.

In a media release welcoming the new policy the Institute’s NSW President, Shaun Carter, said it will inform a new era of design-led planning that has the potential to make the state’s towns and cities more individual and interesting.

‘It will give them a better sense of place reflecting the values and interests of their communities’, he said.

The Minister also announced that amendments to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to be released for consultation later this year will include a new object promoting good design in the built environment.