NSW Chapter President

As this year’s Sydney Architecture Festival draws closer – I encourage all members to consider attending and participating in the Festival’s keynote event, The Colloquium – Growing A Greater Sydney: Connecting people and places – which will be held in Parramatta on 7 November.

The event brings together policy makers, architects, urban designers, researchers, community and government to show how Sydney can grow better as it grows bigger.

Taking place at Parramatta’s Riverside Theatre, The Colloquium will be moderated by Walkley Award-winning television journalist Tony Jones, with speakers including Lucy Turnbull AO (Chair of the Committee for Sydney); David Pitchford (CEO of Urban Growth NSW); Paul Donegan (GRATTAN Institute); Bob Meyer AM, David Holm and Philip Graus (COX); Ross De la Motte (HASSELL); Peter Poulet (NSW Government Architect); Rod Simpson (simpson+wilson); David Borger (Sydney Business Chamber); and Helen Lochhead (University of Sydney).

The event will explore the transformational potential of unprecedented investment in transport and urban renewal projects across Greater Sydney; unlocking economic and employment potential through better housing, transport, and work options alongside an expanded network of joined up green open spaces.

Topics to be explored include: transport infrastructure and urban renewal with a particular focus on Western Sydney; the role of the Government, private sector and the community in designing the future we all want; the importance of good design in every aspect of public infrastructure; the potential of the proposed Badgery’s Creek Airport; and how good design can contribute to Sydney’s thriving economy.

This is an important initiative for the Institute and the Sydney Architecture Festival which I urge members to attend and to share with your networks where possible.

Joe Agius
NSW Chapter President