We’re just around the corner from the announcements of the 2020 Tasmanian Architecture Awards, and while we’re having to do things differently this year, I’m excited about the possibilities that the online format provides us and the reach that we can have. The ACT Architecture Awards kicked off the series of chapter awards events last Friday and had around 300 people watching live, and to date has had over 1500 views. I’d love to see if Tassie can top this, and I encourage you all (not only those who are entered) to share the link to the live stream with your clients, consultants, family and friends and your social media followers! Let’s spread the work of the innovative and beautiful architecture that is being produced in our state. We’d love to see how you’re making the awards night special, and we might just have a prize up for grabs for those who share on Instagram – stay tuned for more information. Make sure to register to watch so you’re sent a reminder on the day.
We’ve still been actively engaging with the Tasmanian Government over the last month, and I’d like to share some of the Minister for Building and Construction’s words from Parliament last week when she spoke in support of the Building and Construction (Regulatory Reform Amendments) Bill 2020:
The Minister for Infrastructure and I have undertaken very close engagement with Tasmania’s building construction and civil construction sector during these very challenging times. That included multiple industry forums involving many Tasmanian peak bodies from across the state and major contractors, businesses and individuals. From the Master Builders Association of Tasmania to the Housing Industry Association of Tasmania, civil contractors, painters, plumbers, electricians, the Institute of Architects, the Institute of Landscape Architects, surveyors, the Cement, Concrete and Aggregates Association and many more, many of those organisations have done an enormous amount of work for their memberships, including those in their sector who are not members of their organisations. That is the importance of the industry and how importantly they regard this situation to ensure that these industries thrive and recover.
I will get to my thank yous in case I run out of time. I really want to thank those peak bodies for the work they have done and the immediate communication that whenever we provide some information they get it out to their membership. There truly has been cooperation between these peak bodies and our Government and we thank them for that. The feedback from individual members and those participating in the industry has been very strong indeed.
I acknowledge there is more work to do, and we are in the process of consulting with Chapter Council and the Practice Committee regarding the recently released stimulus measures, and will provide this feedback to government in the coming weeks.
Lastly, I would like to let members know of changes that have been made under the COVID-19 Emergency legislation in regards to planning permits, providing for a six month extension of time to substantially commence development under a planning permit. For more information, please visit the Tasmanian Planning Reform website.
Stay safe everyone and I look forward to celebrating with you virtually on Friday!
Jennifer Nichols
Executive Director, Tasmanian Chapter
Australian Institute of Architects
