In the last week of May, Chapter Councillor Dino Vrynios and I, supported by Phil Donaldson of SustainSA visited Shandong province in China as part of a South Australian trade delegation led by Premier Weatherill. In my capacity as SA Chapter President, I was representing the broader design sector which included the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, Association of Consulting Architects, Design Institute of Australia, Planning Institute of Australia and Engineers Australia as well as the Institute.

We pitched a message of a cohesive and comprehensive design services sector ready to do business with Shandong, framed around our well-earned reputation for exceptional liveability. The message was simple, and we believe resonated with our Chinese audience.

While beforehand we were uncertain as to how fruitful our discussion might be, it quickly became apparent that design services were both highlighted and sought after.

Delegation leader Sean Kernihan of the Australia China Business Council reinforced the importance the services sector in any trade engagement. Premier Weatherill specifically spoke about our expertise in health services and aged care, of which design services are a key. And the Governor of Shandong noted that with his province having the highest proportion of people over 60 in China – over 18 million no less! – it was an area that needed to be addressed.

The outcome has been opportunities for engagement directly with several design institutes in the cities of Jinan and Qingdao who are seeking international design expertise for their projects. There are also clearly opportunities around planning and urban design, particularly with regard to water in the urban environment.

We were also able to engage in discussions with other South Australian delegates, particularly in the aged care, health and education sectors. There is great potential to develop of a comprehensive trade offer for these services that includes design services.

The key now will be to take advantage of the opportunities. We already have agreement from AILA, ACA, PIA, DIA and EA to further pursue an engagement strategy, and a number of members attended a briefing session at the SA Chapter last Thursday to hear of the benefits.

We are in discussions with the State Government regarding assistance in developing design services sector alliance as a trade strategy and we will be seeking further involvement from interested members shortly in anticipation of a return delegation from Shandong in September.

I believe this is a very real business opportunity for the design sector, one which enables us to increase the areas in which we can practice – part of my mantra of ‘growing the pie’ for all of us. There is opportunity to both export services to Shandong, and support inward Chinese investment into South Australia.

I look forward to discussing this further with those members who would like to be involved. Please contact me through the Chapter office by email sa@architecture.com.au

– David Homburg, SA Chapter President