ACA - SA September Update
This month’s activities in South Australia.
Search for executive officer
Following Cate Robert’s departure we are still looking for a new person to take over her role – if you know of anyone who may be interested (current time commitment is about 4 hours/week) please contact Ian Hore.
Round Table: Quantity Surveyors
We met recently with quantity surveyors at a Round Table hosted by Brown Falconer. The discussion was lively and we realised we shared a lot of concerns about the current state of the Construction Industry in SA. A more detailed report is available here.
Keith Neighbour Study Group
The latest registration study group is now complete, with participants taking their oral exams held last week. Over twenty participated in the group this time, and a new group will start in after the PALS course early next year.
Research projects
ACA – SA is continuing to look at the feasibility of research projects including a “State of the Profession” study and iscurrently seeking funding for these.
Subconsultants agreements
We have reviewed the first draft of back-to-back deeds for use with common client architect agreements, collated the comments and sent these back to Minter Ellison for amendment.
DPTI procurement
Many members are aware that with changes in DPTI, Judith Carr has been given an overall role looking at procurement. We have had some discussions with her already regarding issues such as 3M prequalification and direct payment of subconsultants and have invited her to an ACA – SA committee meeting to discuss further.
Construction Professionals Forum
This meets again soon – priority topics include
- Limitation of Liability – this has not yet been implemented on smaller projects.
- Cascading appointment of consultants – we are keen to see a trial on smaller projects of only selecting the lead PSC in the first instance, with other subconsultants appointed later.
ACA/AIA/MBA tender guidelines
Following meetings with the MBA we are looking to update the tendering guidelines last issued in 2000. With the rise of fully electronic tendering we believe there need to be new guidelines and safeguards for architects and builders.
Anyone willing to assist please contact John Held or Graham Hardy.
Meeting with ODASA
We met with the Office of Design and Architecture South Australia (ODASA) recently to discuss issues of mutual interest, including the State Planning Review and design reviews.
Meeting with local government
We are meeting with Rob Ackland, of LGA Procurement, on Wednesday, 22 October, to discuss ways of achieving a more coordinated approach to local government engagement of consultants. If you wish to attend or raise particular issues, please contact John Held.
Adelaide University procurement
We are meeting with the university shortly to discuss procurement issues including greater participation of SA-based architects in their major project selection.
ACA National Webinar
SA participated in our first national webinar last week – more are planned for next year.