Across the country, the Institute is advocating for the things that matter to you and your practice.
Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve been up to in the past month, and what’s going on more broadly that’s relevant.
As always, we thank our members for their expert contributions towards our policy and advocacy – helping us understand what’s important, highlighting emerging issues, and providing the much-needed subject matter expertise that underpins our work. Advancing architecture together requires all of us to be advocates for the profession.
Media
What we did: We responded to the Productivity Commission’s interim report into the regulation of housing supply. Read our media release.
What we said: Regulation across all levels of government can be improved to accelerate housing delivery, reduce duplication, and good design is a crucial part of this. Read our first submission.
What’s next: We’re currently pulling together a supplementary submission to inform the Productivity Commission’s full report. Read the National President’s message.
What we did: We welcomed the announcement of a federal Office of AI and a greater national coordinated focus on the building of data centres. Read our media release.
What we said: Data centres have major impacts on energy networks, water supplies, and surrounding communities, so they need strategic, sustainable planning from day one. Read our submission.
What’s next: We’re making a supplementary submission to the Senate inquiry into AI and data centres, and exploring engagement opportunities with the new Office of AI, located within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
And also:
- The NSW Chapter’s advocacy helped result in a much-needed extension to the lease of the CSIRO North Ryde fire testing facility. Read our joint media release with the Association of Consulting Architects NSW/ACT branch.
- The Queensland Chapter’s Brisbane 2032 advocacy, in collaboration with our built environment colleagues, helped lead to the Green and Gold Grid being included in Brisbane City Council’s legacy plan. Read our media release.
- We publicly supported the NSW Government’s Bays West International Design Competition and the opportunity it presents to shape one of Sydney’s most significant urban renewal projects. Read more about the competition.
Federal Parliament
Federal Parliament is back this week for the spring sittings, with just eight sitting weeks between now and the end of the year. See the full sitting calendar.
With a short week this week and a range of topics on the agenda, the team are closely monitoring for anything affecting the architects or the built environment, as well as opportunities to advance our advocacy priorities. Read this week’s program (House of Representatives | Senate)
If any member would like further details on any bill before federal Parliament and how it might affect the built environment or the architectural profession – reach out to the team.
Committee news
- Following from our submission to the Environment and Communications References Committee’s inquiry into artificial intelligence and data centres (read the submission), we’re working on a more detailed submission highlighting the impact of AI on the profession and practice.
- The transcript of the recent hearing by the Senate Finance and Public References Committee’s inquiry into Financial support for state and territory infrastructure projects features commentary from our colleagues across the built environment sector. Read the transcript.
- The Senate Select Committee on intergenerational housing equity has been holding public hearings, most recently in Perth on 5 August. Read the transcripts and programs.
Federal Government and industry engagement
- We’re preparing a detailed response to the Productivity Commission’s interim report into housing supply regulation, to inform their full report. Read our initial submission. Across the country, Chapters are working on a range of advocacy to support housing reforms – we will share more in coming updates.
- We’re continuing our active engagement with the Australian Building Codes Board, including:
-
- Welcoming the release of their new Embodied Carbon Handbook – picking up on the recommendations from our Decarbonisation Plan. Read our statement.
-
- Pulling together a response to the proposed National Voluntary Certification Scheme for Manufacturers of Prefabricated Construction.
-
- Contributing feedback, and encouraging our members to do the same, on the future of the National Construction Code, as well as supporting Treasury modelling on reform directions . Participate in the NCC survey
Capacity building
- We’re continuing to work on updates to our website to better highlight our advocacy work and make it easier to learn about our priorities, our work and our impact
- We’re working with our colleagues across the sector on a range of planned events and federal government engagement opportunities – stay tuned as these details firm up!
- We’re continuing to improve the way we communicate about our advocacy work to our members (like this update!) – making it easier for you to know exactly what we’re fighting for on your behalf, how we’re doing it, and how you can get involved.
Any questions?
The Policy & Advocacy team are based across Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra and work closely with National Council and the National President to advocate for key issues affecting the built environment and our members. We work closely with all Chapter Executive Leaders, their Presidents and Chapter Councils to ensure our advocacy is timely, actionable and responsive to local needs.
Reach out to Sarah, Jane or Tim with any questions at any time: [email protected]