After several months of committed advocacy and campaigning led by ACA WA Vice-President Kate Fitzgerald, the ACA WA is delighted to share that the once-deferred Medium Density Code has been reintroduced. This will help ensure the supply of well-designed housing in suburbs and infill precincts for the State.

The deferral of the Medium Density Code has dominated the activity of the WA Branch in recent weeks. While the ACA supports the Government’s mission to increase housing supply, we are concerned that the deferral will reduce the supply of well-designed housing in suburbs and infill precincts.

In the ACA SA Committee, members are passionate and committed to representing the business of architecture and being a voice for practices in their state. Here, Justin Cucchiarelli offers a glimpse of recent advocacy work in South Australia.

The ACA WA Branch wrote to Minister Roger Cook ahead of his meeting with State Building Ministers to advocate for the lifting of Energy Performance Standards in the National Construction Code 2022.

The ACA VIC/TAS branch is pleased to inform its members that the proposed changes to the Architects Registration Board of Victoria, to reduce the number of members and remove the requirement for any member to be a registered architect, have been averted for now.

In the ACA SA Committee, members are passionate and committed to representing the business of architecture and being a voice for practices in their state. Here, Mario Dreosti, Catherine Startari and Simon Thomson offer a glimpse of their ongoing advocacy work.

Immediate Past President of the ACA QLD/NT Robert Wesener provides a comprehensive update of the ACA’s advocacy efforts in Queensland.

Charmaine Kai, ACA member of the Expert Reference Group on the NSCA, provides an update on the key developments.

The ACA welcomes NSW draft legislation and supports the NSW Government’s efforts on building quality.

The release of the Victorian Cladding Taskforce Final Report and associated program of work is welcomed by the ACA, but the Federal Government must also take action to ensure a unified national approach.

An inquiry led by former under treasurer, John Langoulant, into recent WA state government projects and contracts has revealed gross incompetence and highlighted the need for a major reformation to current procurement processes.

A joint submission to the WA Commission of Inquiry into Government Programs and Projects.

The ACA Industry Discussion Paper on Procuring Architectural Services aims to provoke conversation and thought about the role procurement plays in the development of our cities and communities.

ACA - SA has been working closely with the SA Department of Education and Child Development to introduce a new type of planning study for schools.

ACA - WA has submitted responses to four Design WA documents and policies.

The ACA - WA member survey on WA Development Assessment Panel and local authority Design Advisory Committees is providing an important evidence base for advocacy with the Minister for Planning.

The SA 2016-17 Budget features a major stimulus package for the construction industry, with $500 million allocated to upgrade school facilities. This is an opportunity for architects to show leadership and work collaboratively to deliver outstanding educational facilities.

An update on the Australian Government’s response to the “Harper Review” into competition policy.

ACA - SA is on the front foot with changes in government procurement - a report on the recent DPTI priorities survey.

Finally there is some movement on procurement reform in NSW. Steve Kennedy provides an update.