The Federal Government has renewed its call for a focus on building safety, sustainability and effective design with the introduction of a dedicated Minister for Housing – the Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar – and the elevation into Cabinet of the Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure – Alan Tudge.
The Federal Government has also created an Assistant Ministry for Community Housing, Homelessness and Community Services, under the leadership of Luke Howarth, in light of Australia’s affordable and social housing challenges.
The Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) National President, Professor Helen Lochhead, said the focus on cities and housing as key areas can with considered policy, design and delivery create real impact for everyday Australians.
“The importance of planning and the interconnection of infrastructure and housing solutions is well understood by architects, who work across scales and devise solutions to these complex issues in their daily practice,” she said.
“This is the key to creating integrated, effective cities where all people can benefit– if we get it right.”
Professor Lochhead said AIA will continue to push for design and sustainability benchmarks and a national architecture policy in urban policy.
The Institute will also continue to push for increased safety measures for the building and construction industry, in line with the Shergold Weir Building Confidence report last year, to maintain the integrity of our national standards.
Nationally consistent building standards can also generate strong carbon emissions reductions – the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council estimates development and construction could drive up to 28 per cent of the nation’s 2030 target – and the AIA will continue to support decarbonisation across industries.
Ongoing action on climate change through a plan for net zero carbon buildings by 2040, and fair and open procurement policies are also key priorities for the AIA.