Welcome to 2015

3 February 2015

Simon Hanger welcomes ACA – Vic/Tas members to the year ahead.

I wish all our ACA members a happy and rewarding 2015.

Last November, the two-day ACA National Executive Committee meeting was hosted in Launceston by our Tasmanian representative on the Victorian /Tasmanian Committee, Jack Birrell. Not only were we able to personally congratulate Jack on his well deserved success at the 2014 Australian Institute of Architects National Awards, but also to experience a beautiful, history laden city.

The meeting enabled us to consider the ACA’s goals and achievements of 2014, and to plan initiatives and activities for 2015. It was agreed that 2014 successfully consolidated a number of the aspirations of our Strategic Plan, including propelling the ACA to the forefront in representing architects in the Business of Architecture.

The new year will see the ACA continue to foster communication and cooperation between the branches to ensure national consistency throughout the wide range of services offered to our members. Individual branches will also maintain their focus on significant local issues.

In Victoria we will continue to monitor state legislation relating to the transition of the Architects Registration Board of Victoria into the new Victorian Building Authority. The ACA and the Australian Institute of Architects have worked together in discussions with the previous government in an attempt to obtain the best outcomes for the profession. We will continue to provide representations to the new government as opportunities arise.

Work on the development of the Architect’s Time/Cost Calculation Guide, led by Vic/Tas committee member Paul Viney, has now been completed. We are looking forward to its national launch at the beginning of March. Further details are available here.

The ACA continues to provide information, advice and resources to our members regarding industrial relations matters. Notwithstanding that the ACA has expanded into more diverse activities in the Business of Architecture, as Chair of the Industrial Relations Committee, I will continue to ensure that Industrial Relations representation remains at the heart of the ACA. Recent ‘murmurs’ from the Federal Government regarding IR policy will be carefully monitored and we will continue to promote positions that are in the best interests of our members and the profession as a whole.

I would again thank to our major sponsor Cbus, whose support  of the ACA helps us to provide the level of service that our members expect.

I would also thank our members for your continued support of the ACA and can assure you that both the Victorian/Tasmanian Committee and the National Executive Committee will continue to develop initiatives and policies focusing on the Business of Architecture that will assist in advancing the status of the profession as well as increasing participation and productivity of members.

Please feel free to contact me should there be any issues you think might be worthwhile ACA investigating in the interest of its members.

Best wishes

Simon Hanger

Simon Hanger is President of ACA – Vic/Tas.