Amidst discussions surrounding the Federal Budget and an upcoming election, the Australian Institute of Architects is championing the need for stronger national leadership to uphold sustainability, resilience, and exemplary design standards in Australia's built environment.

Jane Cassidy, serving as the National President of the Australian Institute of Architects, has emphasised the critical role of government policies that prioritise top-tier, sustainable design.

While the Institute applauds investments in infrastructure and housing, it is advocating for a strategic, design-centric approach to optimise enduring value for communities, the economy, and the environment.

Cassidy underscored this sentiment, stating: “Our built environment is at a crossroads. As we face rapid urbanisation, climate change, and housing affordability pressures, public investment must deliver enduring social, economic, and environmental benefits.”

Key priorities for the upcoming federal election by the Institute include:

• Establishing a Federal Government Architect to spearhead national design strategies and guarantee quality outcomes in governmental projects.

• Embracing innovation and contemporary construction techniques to tackle housing shortages while facilitating the shift towards net-zero emissions.

• Providing healthy, affordable, equitable, and sustainable housing to enhance community well-being.

• Reinforcing building codes and aiding a systematic decarbonization transition through the National Construction Code (NCC) and the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB).

• Leveraging architects and licensed professionals to promote design-led methodologies that enhance urban outcomes, safety, and consumer trust.

The Institute has commended Labor's $17.1 billion investment in transport infrastructure and pledges towards social and public housing, along with the Coalition's commitment to inject $5 billion into critical infrastructure to expedite housing solutions.

Adam Haddow, the Institute’s National President-Elect, highlighted that the establishment of a Federal Government Architect would offer strategic guidance leading to intelligent, scalable solutions.

While acknowledging initiatives like the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) and the National Housing Accord, the Institute is advocating for a heightened focus on sustainability and resilience.

It also calls for investments in contemporary construction methodologies to bolster affordability and efficiency, ensuring that updates to the NCC remain abreast of industry progressions.

The Institute is advocating for astute policies that strike a balance between cost-effectiveness and long-term advantages, emphasizing that housing affordability should not come at the expense of safety, quality, or sustainability.

Furthermore, it is urging increased investments in climate-responsive design, the adaptive reuse of existing structures, and the reduction of embodied carbon in construction materials.

 

Source: Build Australia

Image Source: Australian Institute of Architects

 

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