ED’s newsletter February

February saw us with a big month of activities including a trip to Alice Springs. It was great to be able to stop off on the way meeting with local Ministers, members of Parliament, local governments and key stakeholders. There was a common theme throughout these meetings, housing, housing and housing! Interesting though, there is there is a lot of economic activity in the regions and they expect this growth across multiple industries. This is really good to hear since Darwin is tracking very slowly economically.

In February we had the opportunity to host an industry breakfast with Minister Lawler to run through the governments vision of where we are heading in terms the engagement of architects. She was very frank about where things are at the moment in government and took on board our strategic platforms including the Government Architect role, procurement and the importance of good design for all projects especially in regard to future performance.  

We also met the Minister for Housing Gerry McCarthy, in Tennant Creek, and he is keen to work with the Institute further involve Architects in the housing role out, across the NT, as he is concerned about long-term performance of non-architecturally designed public housing especially in remote communities. We will be meeting with him and the Department over the next month to see what this will looks like.

In February we had 5 events across the NT which includes the ramp up of EmAGN RegiFrustration events. We have a vibrant committed group who have regular mentoring with the ultimate goal of registration. If you would like to be a Mentor please contact us and we can make this happen.  The SONA membership and sign up event is coming up on the 13^th of March so if you can spare some time at lunch please feel free to come to CDU for the meet and greet (orange building 11 at casuarina campus).

The build up to the 2019 Northern Territory Awards is well and truly underway and we recommend you look at your travel now to the Red Centre. We are working through Tourism NT for partner programs as well as Architectural tours. This is a destination event so bring your family and you can immerse in your passion for Architecture in an amazing part of the NT. This is the first time the awards are being held in Alice Springs and we need you to show support for the region and your colleagues who usually travel to Darwin for these events. If you haven’t already please put this in your diary now. The program outline is:

2019 Northern Territory Awards Programme

30^th May CPD for Alice Springs Architects – delivery partner Bondor

working lunch session 12-1pm

31^st May Architecture tours morning Heritage tour 8.30 to 12 and the afternoon Previous award winners 12.30 to 4pm

31^st May VIP cocktail party for attendees hosted by the Mayor Damien Ryan and the Alice Springs Town Council 5.30pm

1^st June 2019 Awards – the Old Quarry south of Alice pick up 5pm  

2^nd June recovery networking lunch 1pm

The 2019 Northern Territory Awards Entries are closing on the 13^th March 2019 if you have any queries please feel free to give us a call.

Our membership drive is going well with three Architects in the process of signing up. Thanks for those people who sent through referrals we are slowly working through these. As previously mentioned we encourage you to identify potential members and then work with us to confirm their membership. When new members join and are financial then we are also offering the ‘one off’ benefit for 2019 which is that a person can become a member and will be eligible to enter in the same year. As motivation for introductions we are offering the referring member an incentive so watch this space.

In February we had a busy advocacy month meeting with Ministers, Mayors and local Government representatives, local members and other key stakeholders. The feedback from regional areas was a big thank you to travelling there taking the time to hear and see issues outside of Darwin. I told them we don’t believe in the Berrimah line so all good! This month we also submitted our response to the Central Darwin Area Plan and this available on our website.

This year we would like to grow our partnership opportunities to support Architect practice and development in the NT. Please keep this in mind when you are talking to suppliers and send through a referral any time. We really want to make sure we partner with like-minded industry focussed companies who support you to grow the Territory.

I am still in the process of catching up with all of the NT members so feel free to send me an email or keep an ear out as I will be seeing you soon.

Cheers

Raquel

Up and coming March and April Events 2019

March

5^th           6.00pm – 8.00pm Emerging Architect and Graduate Network (EmAGN)- RegiFrustration – Setting up your Firm (Darwin and regional teleconference)

7^th           4.45pm CPD – Gerflor, Architectural Design – the ‘inside out’ (Darwin)

13^th         12:00pm – Student Organised Network for Architecture (SONA) 2019 Meet n Greet – Charles Darwin University

19^th         6pm to 8pm EmAGN – RegiFrustration – Architectural Services and Fees (Darwin and regional teleconference)

26^th         6pm to 8pm EmAGN – Open Architectural Forum/Sports Team discussions (Darwin and regional teleconference)

TBC        EmAGN – Barefoot Bowls (March/April) – date to be confirmed

April

2^nd          6pm to 8pm EmAGN      – RegiFrustration Design and Consultants (Darwin and regional teleconference)

3^rd           lunchtime CPD – BIM Wizard USG Boral (Alice Springs)

4^th           4.45pm CPD – BIM Wizard USG Boral site visit (Darwin) 

8-12^th    NT Awards – Jury Visits (NT wide)

16^th        6pm to 8pm EmAGN RegiFrustration Building Procurement

18^th        NT Awards – Online launch for people’s choice (All)

30^th        6pm to 8pm EmAGN RegiFrustration Contract Admin