The first half of 2025 has been a period of renewal and engagement for the NT Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects, with key developments in education, advocacy, and the celebration of architectural excellence across the Territory.
A key focus this year has been engaging with legislative reforms introduced by the new CLP Government. The Chapter made a formal submission on the Territory Coordinator Bill, advocating for a more open and transparent process. Our recommendations included the introduction of reportable community consultation requirements for the Territory Coordinator role, ensuring the public has a voice in strategic development decisions. In addition, the Chapter opposed the Bill’s proposed removal of third-party review rights for planning decisions through the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC), citing the importance of maintaining checks and balances within the planning system to uphold public trust and accountability. The Chapter also contributed to the public discourse surrounding the City of Darwin Civic Centre development. We provided a detailed submission and appeared at two Development Consent Authority (DCA) meetings, advocating for the project to comply with the Town Plan requirements. Our emphasis was on incorporating Safety Through Design principles and ensuring active street frontage—both essential for creating vibrant, safe, and people-oriented public spaces in the city centre. We are very grateful to Jo Reese and Rebecca Adams for their outstanding work in preparing these submissions and representing the Chapter at the NTG Scrutiny Committee Session and DCA meetings. Their commitment and expertise were instrumental in articulating the Institute’s position and values. While the Chapter’s recommendations were not adopted in these instances, I believe our advocacy presented strong, well-founded arguments for accessible, transparent community involvement in decision-making processes and for responsible, design-led urban development. I’m optimistic that these efforts will contribute to the ongoing dialogue and help shape future discussions.
A point of celebration this year is the appointment of Lindy Burton as the new Professor of Architecture at Charles Darwin University (CDU). The NT Chapter was invited to participate in the selection process, and I can vouch for Lindy’s suitability and passion for the role. Australian Institute of Architects inclusion in on the selection panel demonstrates how open the university is to be working with local industry and we are looking forward to a renewed relationship as the course is developed and are already working on re-establishing SONA and building relationships with the CDU students and Team Members.
Preparations are well underway for the 2025 NT Architecture Awards, with the event set to return to the iconic Bullocky Point at Saltwater Bundilla and Museum and Art Gallery. Karen has been working tirelessly to coordinate what promises to be a memorable night. This year’s awards have include an exciting range of entries that truly showcase the breadth, creativity, and quality of architectural work being done across the Territory. Our jury panel brings together diverse expertise and experience, ensuring a rigorous and insightful assessment of each project. In addition to celebrating the newest achievements, we will honour past contributions through the President’s Prize and the Enduring Architecture Award, recognising the enduring value and impact of architectural excellence in the NT. We warmly invite all members and supporters to join us for this special evening. Book a table, gather your colleagues and friends, and come along to celebrate NT architects and architecture—past and present.
