Last month was both hectic and challenging, given the unfounded and ill-informed attack on the Institute by both Premier Perrottet and former Prime Minister Paul Keating. We have written to the Premier on behalf of our members and await his apology. See the message from our NSW President and National President here, along with our media release and relevant media coverage:
EDM from Chapter President Laura Cockburn and National President Shannon Battisson.
Media release from National President Shannon Battisson.
SMH article “Old enemies cop it sweet in Keating and Perrottet’s architecture double act.”
SINSW
The Department of Education and School Infrastructure NSW have recently issued an Invitation for Expression of Interest (EOI) for the delivery of the Macquarie Park Education Campus and mixed-use development at the Lachlan’s Line Precinct.
The Invitation requires proponents to submit a design response. This is not in line with the Institute’s Guidelines for EOI’s and RFT’s. It also does not align with the Government’s own 10-point Commitment for the construction sector in terms of reducing bidding costs. We have written to both the Minister for Education along with the Chief Executive of School Infrastructure NSW to express our concerns.
The Institute has a stated position on procurement of architectural services through competitive processes. The Institute believes that government, institutions and private clients benefit from using an appropriate tendering system that matches submission demands with project complexity. The Institute’s full policy is available on our website.
See our Letter to Minister for Education.
MLC Building 105-153 Miller St North Sydney
The MLC building remains at high risk and proponents will be back in court from December 2 in a bid to have the building demolished. We have, once again, called upon Minister Griffin to reinstate the State Heritage listing on this significant building, given former Minister Harwin clearly supported its listing which was removed solely due to the NSW government’s administrative error.
See our letter to Minister Griffin here.
NSW Building Reforms
The NSW building reforms are rolling out into Class 3 and 9c.
The NSW government has a number of building reforms currently on exhibition which will impact our profession. These include:
- A proposed Building Bill to replace the Home Building Act 1989
- A proposed Building Compliance and Enforcement Bill to replace the Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020
- Broader amendments to existing building regulatory framework
- Expansion of registration, documentation and declaration requirements under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 and powers under the Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020 to class 3 and 9c buildings
- Implementation of the Fire Safety Review
Feedback is open until 25 November 2022. Find the link here.
Alternatively, if there are specific aspects of the reforms you would like to provide comment on for the Institute submission, please send these comments to lisa.king@architecture.com.au prior to 18 November 2022.
We continue to await the release of a new version of the Compliance Declaration Form and an updated Design Practitioners Handbook with additional guidance. Our dedicated webpage will be revised and will include both existing and new content once these important changes are in place.
DPIE
Current draft plans and policies on exhibition include:
- Large Erecting Shop rezoning proposal
- Draft Far West Regional Plan 2041
See the link to further information here.
See the DPIE current Planning Bulletin here.
NSW Election 2023
At the end of this month, we will be sending out a survey to all NSW members. This is an important opportunity to inform us of the critical issues which impact your professional practice that you would like government to focus on and which will inform our pre-election asks. Look out for this survey coming soon!
Lisa King
Policy & Advocacy Manager NSW
lisa.king@architecture.com.au
Image: MLC Building, North Sydney | Bates Smart & McCutcheon
