As we wrap up the year, hear from our NSW Chapter President, Elizabeth Carpenter on what’s been happening recently.
Building Bill
We continue to engage with the government as the building reform consultation is underway. A number of roundtables and meetings have been attended to discuss the Building Bill and proposed repeal of the Architects’ Act. We met recently with Jenny Leong and Kobi Shetty of the Greens, and also with Leader of the Opposition, Mark Speakman and Shadow Minister for Small Business, Fair Trading, Work Health and Safety and Building, Tim James today to discuss the Building Bill, the Productivity Commission Report and the critical importance of design quality in construction.
We are anticipating an update from the government in the first week of December, and will continue to keep our members updated with any developments.
TOD Masterplan Announcement
The government has finalised masterplans for Transport Oriented Development (TOD) Accelerated Precincts, aiming to boost density near key transport hubs. These plans, covering areas like Bankstown, Bella Vista, Crows Nest, and others, include space for schools, healthcare, parks, and public transport links, with 3 percent minimum inclusionary affordable housing at rates up to 18 percent in some areas. The accelerated re-zonings streamline planning assessments, expediting the development process. The final masterplans will enable development applications to be lodged starting 27 November, 2024.
Events and Awards
The Prizes and Honours End of Year Celebration was a resounding success, bringing together our community to celebrate excellence and achievement. We are pleased to welcome our new Life Fellows and Fellows into our distinguished ranks, including two Honorary Fellows, Anthony Burke and Philip Oldfield, whose contributions have greatly enriched our profession. Our heartfelt congratulations extend to all the prize winners and newly appointed fellows, whose dedication, expertise, and accomplishments have set a high standard of excellence within the profession. This event marks an important milestone in recognizing the outstanding contributions that continue to shape our field.
Similarly, the recent Regional Awards and Newcastle Awards were a celebration of the diverse and wide-ranging talent on display in our regions. Attended by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle and Federal MP Sharon Claydon, it was a terrific night of championing regional architecture and coming together to share stories and experiences. During the day of the Awards we had the opportunity to meet with the regional committee to discuss the issues impacting regional architecture and how we can work better together to fulfil the needs of our regional members.
