Victorian Policy & Advocacy Update 210607

The latest Victorian advocacy and policy updating including the building reform, COVID-19 restrictions update and more.

VICTORIA’S MAY 2021 COVID-19 OUTBREAK

The Institute’s Policy and Advocacy team has been working on behalf of the Chapter, attending government information sessions and seeking clarity from the Victorian Government about the current COVID-19 outbreak circuit-breaker restrictions. We have subsequently been providing frequent updates to members. This has included ensuring that Architects and other consultants can have unimpeded COVIDSafe access to building sites. To access these updates visit here.

If members follow @AusINSArch_VIC in Twitter, they can receive a notification each time a new update is posted on our Covid-19 Essential Information section of the Victorian Chapter web page.

BUILDING REFORM UPDATE

A submission to the Expert Panel advising the Victoria Government on Victoria’s Building Reform, in response to the Framework for Reform discussion paper was made on May 25th. Preparation of the submission has benefitted from the input of many members through various committees and forums as well as external stakeholders who operate either a Victorian or national context.

A copy of the submission can now be downloaded from here: Institute Submission on Framework for Reform | May 2021

As detailed in the previous Policy and Advocacy Update of May 24th,  Institute’s 44-page submission responds to the four key aspects of the Framework for Reform discussion paper in relation to the building regulatory system of Practitioner registration, Building approvals, Regulatory oversight of building activity and practitioners, and Consumer protection. In addition, the Institute has been putting forward its position about the need to address Design and Construct with novation procurement, procurement contracts, products certification and more frequent inspections suited to modern construction methods. This has occurred through the Institute’s submission, invited participation in the Building Reform Expert Panel’s forums, and private meetings which the Expert Panel have held with the Victorian Chapter.

The Institute sees this reform process as a “once in a generation” opportunity for the construction sector, government and the architecture profession. By drawing the government’s attention to the industry and procurement environment which the Institute strongly regards as having contributed to higher situations such as apartments with flammable cladding, the Institute is playing an important role in assisting government to address underlying causes and to potentially add a broader dimension to its regulatory response.

VICTORIA’S 2021 DRAFT BETTER APARTMENT STANDARDS (BADS) ‘CONVERSATION WITH EXPERTS’ SEMINAR

On Friday 28 May, 182 participants – members of the Institute and peer organisations – attended a design discussion about how to create higher density suburban housing that meets the updated 2021 Better Apartments Design Standards. The seminar was co-hosted by the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and the Institute. We thank members whose participation contributed to the success of the event. Participants will receive an email link, this week, to a short evaluation session as well as information about where to be able to watch a recording of the seminar.

ANNUAL VICTORIAN REGISTRATION RENEWAL AND CPD

Over the last several weeks the Institute has reminded members to have their 10 informal and formal CPD points for 2020/21 completed and filled in a diary by 30 June 2021.

Further information can be found here

This form is now closed.