While many of us are either gearing up for or in the midst of Christmas events and activities to wrap up the year, the Chapter Council and staff are already turning our minds to next year – it promises to be a big one, and we can’t start planning for it too early it would seem…..

Firstly, as is the case each year, five positions on Chapter Council become vacant, and nominations are open for those positions for both new members and those seeking re-election. Its certainly worthwhile, and if you are contemplating nominating for the first time, please contact the Chapter Office or me directly to find out more about it. Nominations close on 17 December.

Secondly, planning is underway for the National Conference that will be held here in Adelaide next year. The SA Chapter will be running a Fringe program in parallel with the main conference, which for 2016 will be replacing October’s Festival of Architecture and Design (FAD). It promises to be yet another compelling program.

FAD this year was a success beyond what many of us had hoped, but in order to fit it all in, many of the events that we hold next year will be branded under the FAD banner and targeted at the broader public, so we can enjoy FAD throughout the year for 2016 before returning to an October event in 2017.

Thirdly, we will be ramping up our efforts on planning reform after successfully lobbying for several key elements contained in the current draft of the new Development Act. The new Act is slowly progressing through Parliament, but should it be passed successfully there will be a doubling of effort to ensure that the various regulations, guidelines and design manuals that sit behind it are appropriately developed.

In parallel, the China strategy will continue to be a focus, with an emphasis on aged care and water management as part of a wider design industry alliance. We have had positive engagement with some Chinese trade delegations, but we still need to convert tours and discussions into real opportunities.

Our education and residential task groups will be gearing up to deliver a series of programs and an increased media presence based around the place of research in practice, and client stories around residential design. Contributions will be welcomed.

And finally, the awards entry process for next year kicks off next Monday. Next year the online entry system will be run under a slightly different format, where it will be possible to start your online nomination early without submitting or making payment until the final sign off at the end of the nomination period in February. Perhaps a recognition that we are all notorious for working to deadlines!

It’s been an enjoyable year, and plenty has been achieved by the Chapter staff and a brilliant Chapter Council, and I thank them all for their efforts, and look forward to an even better 2016.