– Elizabeth Carpenter, NSW CHAPTER PRESIDENT
This year has been a year of change. Change is always disruptive; however, as professionals working within the built environment, we embrace change with optimism.
New South Wales has seen broad-ranging change in legislation which will affect our cities and regions – the details of this are still to be resolved, and we will keep all our members well informed. The Institute has also been through a process of change to create a more efficient and effective organisation – a sentiment that many of us are also questioning in our practices. Sustainability and relevance are on the front of everyone’s minds. How our future communities will live and interact with the built environment is ultimately what is important.
As articulated by the Institute President, Adam Haddow in his recent bulletin, the Institute is committed to the development of an institute with transparent communications with a focus on collaboration and inclusion. We would like to move away from “National” and “Chapters” to an Institute that is shared by all, with a specific focus for members in their respective states, territories or in the case of our international members, countries.
If you want to support this evolution, please vote by 9.00am tomorrow morning – NSW Chapter Council (5 places) and National Council (2 places) – read each of the excellent candidates’ platforms, consider diversity, experience and where relevant, the importance of continuity, especially in times of change.
Last election under 10% of members voted – let’s see if we can achieve over 50% engagement in NSW.
As the year draws to a close, on behalf of all of the members, I would like to thank all at the NSW Chapter Staff for their tireless commitment to the members, to those at “National”, or rather the “Institute”, who have also worked alongside our Chapter to provide advice and assistance and to the staff who have departed this year, with a special mention to our Past Executive Director, Lisa King, who has set up such a great framework for our continued advocacy.
I would also like to thank NSW Chapter Council for their energy and insight, and everyone who gives up so much time on committees, forums and working groups.
On behalf of the NSW Chapter, I wish all of our members a restful and reinvigorating end of year and look forward to an exciting 2026.