{"id":8485,"date":"2015-07-13T11:33:09","date_gmt":"2015-07-13T01:33:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wp.architecture.com.au\/news-media\/?p=8485"},"modified":"2019-07-24T14:57:46","modified_gmt":"2019-07-24T04:57:46","slug":"from-the-chapter-president-28","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.architecture.com.au\/news-media\/from-the-chapter-president-28\/","title":{"rendered":"From the ACT Chapter President"},"content":{"rendered":"

Future of\u00a0Government Contracts, Building Quality, Liveable Apartment design,\u00a0Release of the Draft ACT Building Act.<\/strong><\/p>\n

13 July, 2015<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

“In Victoria, NSW and Queensland, governments not continuing contracts signed by their predecessors, hopefully, has not become a formula for governments leadership of infrastructure, building design and procurement.<\/p>\n

In the ACT, the future of contracts over a substantial light-rail project are at issue.<\/p>\n

The consequences of politicisation of many long-term projects is well documented:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. it costs the taxpayer when contracts are cancelled;<\/li>\n
  2. it damages industry confidence at a time when it is needed most;<\/li>\n
  3. it raises risk issues; and,<\/li>\n
  4. it debilitates long-term strategic planning, the design and procurement process.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The key to retaining long-term focus is strategy. Strategies are defined in government policy. A constant reinforcement of progress towards a vision and the development of clear objectives broken down to three to four-year milestones to overcome political cycles are necessary tactics to achieve building projects.\u201d[1]<\/sup><\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

    If Canberra is to be competitive, creative and not to be held back by short-term decisions, if design of the built environment \u201cis to be depoliticised, a broader understanding of the relationship between initial capital investment cost and the long term economic benefit is essential,\u201d[2]<\/sup><\/sup><\/a> equitable engagement contracts and, a strategic approach to design and construction procurement are required.<\/p>\n

    Measures to improve apartment design quality has been in discussion and action over the last 5 years. They include:<\/p>\n